New book helps South Africans find their voice

GREAT speakers aren’t born, they’re made, and with the right tools, anyone can find their voice and inspire the world.

Those tools can be found in Dineshrie Pillay’s latest book, Ignition: 3 Steps to Drive from Newbie Presenter to Expert Speaker.

Speaking to the Independent on Saturday this week, Pillay said she is on a mission to help people unlock their potential to become great speakers. She believes learning to drive is a lot like learning to speak, which inspired the book’s title.

“My belief is that everyone is a speaker, you just don't know it yet. You just don't have the tools and the structure to do it. Ignition gives you those tools and the structure and how to get there.”

So far, professionals from leading companies including Rand Water, Barloworld, Old Mutual, Multichoice and FNB have found great value in working with her to boost their speaking confidence and skills. 

Described as “the go-to resource for anyone who wants to achieve the highest levels of presentation proficiency,” the 341-page book is packed with practical exercises, step-by-step tools and proven methods from Pillay’s Speaker Ignite Programme, which has helped hundreds of professionals become powerful communicators. It’s designed for both beginners and experienced speakers.

Pillay says speaking is a combination of science, skill and art, and her latest book shows how to master all three to become a strong, memorable speaker.

In a world flooded with information, she believes it’s not enough to simply have the facts. A real connection between speaker and audience is what makes a message stick. While many people can deliver a speech, only a few leave a lasting impression.

“A good speaker is one who provides solid content: well-researched, logical, and informative. A good speaker is someone who gives me all the content. They have done the research, they cite the resources, and the information is technically correct," Pillay explained. “They give me the information in a logical sequence.”

However, she says, great speakers do much more than just pass on information. “A great speaker is one whose talk I'll remember long after the day I heard it."

They also know how to make their message relatable and memorable, she says. "You incorporated stories, analogies, and activities that allowed me to entrench the information. "You didn't just dump content on me. You interacted with me, but made me engage with the content."

Whether you’re making a toast at a family gathering, giving a work presentation or addressing a bigger stage, Pillay says it’s important to grab every speaking opportunity that comes your way.   And while some people may have more experience than others, she believes even seasoned speakers must prepare, practise and rehearse if they want to deliver a message well. “Speaking is a privilege because it allows you to share your expertise and knowledge. Someone has asked you to speak because they believe in what you say.”

Pillay says helping people find their voice goes beyond teaching them to speak. “Finding a voice is about influencing others. And when you're influencing others, you're leading. You're leading with your thought process, you're leading with your opinion, you're leading with the suggestion that you're giving.”

She believes how you communicate also shapes your ability to connect, collaborate and lead. “Communication is just how we build understanding. We spark ideas, we create mutual collaboration," Pillay said. “When you improve your communication, you unlock this power to commit, influence and contribute. That's how you become a leader.”

Two lucky readers stand a chance to win a copy of Dineshrie Pillay’s Ignition. To enter, name her signature speaking programme, and email your answer, full name and contact number with the subject line TIOSBook to kznevents@inl.co.za. Competition closes Wednesday, 16 July 2025, at midday. T’s & C’s apply.