South African speaker Douglas Kruger challenges world title

On 14 August 2007, Douglas Kruger will represent 9 countries in Southern Africa for the third time in the World Championships of Public Speaking in the United States.Douglas hopes to make it through to the World Championships of Public Speaking on the Saturday 17th August at the 76th Annual Convention of Toastmasters International in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. This prestigious event is known as ‘The Olympics in Oratory!’ – it is attended by over 3000 Toastmasters from around the world.

Douglas is a professional speaker and trainer, author, and regular contributor to Sales Guru and Entrepreneur magazines. He has also been a radio talk-show host on SAfm, and Talk Radio 702.

A resident of Lonehill, and a member of Sandton Toastmasters, Douglas has already placed 2nd in the world in this competition before. In 2004, in Reno, Nevada, he attained the highest ranking anyone from Africa has ever achieved.

“It’s about time we bring this elusive trophy home to Africa,” Douglas says. “I’ve been working on two presentations, one for the semi-finals and one for the finals, and I believe that they are looking strong. Hopefully they have the right mix of humour, emotion and a strong message that the international judges are looking for.”

Asked if he was nervous, Douglas responded, “An audience of three thousand people and you only have to give the best speech in the world? What’s to be nervous about? Sure, the pressure is immense, and you rarely sleep before an event like this, but at least I’ve had some experience with it before. I have some idea of what to expect. And I think I know how to top my previous performance. I’m only asking to rank one place higher than I did in 2004.”

Douglas is accompanied by a team of supporters from the leadership of Toastmasters in Southern Africa. Rob Douglas, District PRO for Southern African Toastmasters says, “Douglas Kruger is an outstanding and highly experienced public and motivational speaker. We believe he stands a very good chance of winning the world championships – which would be the first time for a South African. We wish him every success.”

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