Rochat, Africa’s first president of Toastmasters International

A SIGNIFICANT milestone in global leadership has been reached with the election of Aletta Rochat, a dynamic South African woman, as the first African president of Toastmasters International.

- KAREN SINGH

The organisation has dedicated itself to building confidence and honing public speaking and leadership skills since its inception in 1924 in Englewood, Colorado, USA. Toastmasters is a global network of over 265,000 members across nearly 150 countries, dedicated to developing in-person and online communication skills.

In South Africa, the nonprofit organisation has over 160 active clubs across major cities, including Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, and Bloemfontein. Many South Africans have represented the country on the international Toastmasters stage.

These clubs welcome people from all walks of life and provide a supportive environment to develop skills that benefit workplaces, families, and communities.

Rochat, 65 from Cape Town, who began her journey with the organisation in 2008, said this is a significant accomplishment not only for herself but also for the continent of Africa.

“T often think that Africa is underestimated and overlooked by those outside the continent. I know the immense talent, commitment, hard work, and genius that exists here.

“Its incredibly exciting to bring this to the global stage because when one person achieves it, others can see that it's possible, opening doors for those who follow”

Africa is Toastmasters’ fastest-growing region, despite economic challenges, she said.

“There's a unique mindset that we believe we can do it, and we do consistently. 'm very proud of what we've achieved in Africa, and my becoming international president just helps us to really realise that, yes, we can do it all the way to the top”

Rochat said she is excited to showcase Africa to the world.