Public speaking is a skill that not many people acquire, but 13-year-old James Capstick-Dale from Clifton is proving that for him it is a breeze as he delivered his keynote speech at UCT’s Student Leadership Awards in four different languages.
The prestigious awards took place on 2 October, and James delivered his speech in English, Ancient Greek, isiZulu, and French, going on to quote Marcus Aurelius, Voltaire, Aristotle, and Shaka.
This is not his first rodeo, as he gave his first speech at the awards when he was only seven years old, also in four different languages. He attends the International French School of Cape Town and gave his first public speech on sacrifice and liberty at his school at the age of six to commemorate the day Winston Churchill took power in 1940.
James said that he and his eight-year-old brother and two-year-old sister have their own library at home, so there is never any shortage of something to read.
“I was a bit nervous to start, but nerves are a good thing because they sharpen the mind, so I’m used to that. The awards evening is a prestigious event, and it’s an honour to be able to speak to all the student leaders and have the Vice Chancellor there.”
“I enjoy different languages and study them at school. Aristotle’s quote in Ancient Greek was quite a challenge, and my mum and I had to do quite a lot of research online and with her Greek friends to make sure it was the right translation. Greek is easier, but Ancient Greek is quite hard. The isiZulu translation and pronunciation I practised with Victoria, who is our beloved domestic and has been with the family since before I was born.”
“I decided to talk about leadership because that is what the awards are all about, and it’s a subject that is so important right now because the world is facing so many challenges and risks. Strong leadership is needed, right across the world. My mum helped source some of the thinking on leadership, and then once I was comfortable with the speech, I rehearsed extensively with her to make sure my delivery would be as good as I could make it.”
The headmaster of the International French School, Samuel Jourdan, said, “We are particularly proud of James’s speech because it embodies the values that we are working with our pupils to understand. Our international education is well-rounded and holistic, and shows children that leadership goes along with empathy.”
His mother, Tamra Capstick-Dale, sponsors two leadership scholarships every year in memory of her late husband, Kerry Capstick-Dale, at UCT but opted this year for three scholarships.
They are known as the Kerry Capstick-Dale Student Leadership Awards, and over the years they have funded well over R1 million in scholarships to about 70 students.
“I’m always very proud of him. To give a speech with the right emphasis, modulation, and eye contact is difficult for anyone, but particularly impressive for someone of his age.”
“We went through it many times, line by line, and if there was a word he had difficulty with, we changed it to improve his fluency. James has always had presence even when he was very young. He is also self-effacing, so quite relaxed about any attention he gets. He is truly one of those children who is wise beyond his years.”
Elijah Moholola, spokesperson for UCT said, “The university is pleased to have had James Capstick-Dale as one of the speakers at the recent Department of Student Affairs (DSA) Student Leadership Awards ceremony. The speech delivered by James was inspiring for our student leaders and staff, and witnessing a 13-year-old sharing such insights was a beautiful sight.”
“The DSA Student Leadership Awards are about recognising outstanding contributions by young student leaders and student organisations in advancing the UCT vision, mission, and values within the university and surrounding communities.
“The Kerry Capstick-Dale Student Leadership Awards, in particular, recognises excellence and achievement in student leadership. It was therefore pleasing to see an even younger leader literally rising to such an occasion in a display of excellence, inspiration, and eloquence – which are some of the hallmarks that are in alignment with the kind of student leadership recognised through the awards.”
Weekend Argus