With a speech entitled Hitchhiking – good or bad? in the prepared speech section, Tsholofelo demonstrated the originality, skilful use of English, her second language, and confidence that the judges were looking for.

The impromptu conversation section of the competition, which was introduced for the first time this year, posed no problem to Tsholofelo.  Her responses to the topic “You are being inaugurated today as the leader of our country. With the world currently in recession, what are the promises you have made and what promises will you need to compromise on in the context of this recession? How will you address these compromises to minimise their impact on your people?” were delivered promptly, cleverly, and made it clear that Tsholofelo has some definite opinions on the issues facing her peers in South Africa today.

Koketso Sekoaila from Mmabatho High School placed second and Katlo Mmereki from Bethel High School in Coligny was second runner up.

Now in its 16th year, the YCA has become one of the most highly anticipated events on the high school calendar as it continues to uncover local public speaking talent and potential leaders of South Africa.  The top prize in 2009 is a study bursary valued at R30,000, with R10,000 for the winning school, evidence that the YCA opens doors and establishes bright futures.

Approximately 9,000 learners have participated in YCA since its inception, and past participants have gone on to study in a variety of fields including Environmental Management, Accounting and Sociology.  One such winner, Amanda Msindwana, is currently working in Saudi Arabia as a language therapist and Zola is a television personality.

The YCA was established by Anglo American and the Sowetan newspaper in 1994, in partnership with the Department of Education, as part of the Aggrey Klaaste Nation Building portfolio.  Open to learners in grades 11 and 12, the competition promotes English language oral communication amongst second and third language speakers, while encouraging a pioneering spirit among the young people of South Africa, nurturing their assertiveness and embracing leadership development and personal growth.

“Anglo American’s CSI projects are closely aligned to education programmes in partnership with the Department of Education, aimed at the development of young South Africans,” says Anglo American Head of SA Kuseni Dlamini when describing the company’s motivation behind sponsoring the competition.  “There is a perfect alignment between the aims of the Young Communicators Awards and the direction of our charitable giving as we reaffirm our reputation of being the partner of choice in terms of our commitment to the communities in which we operate, and making a visible impact within those communities.  We have purposely built up ties with the Department over the years so that we can ensure that our projects are targeted to the communities that need them the most.

“Year after year, a wealth of talent is uncovered through the Young Communicators Awards.  Having partnered this competition for the past 16 past, Anglo American is immensely proud of the impact it has had on the lives of its participants,” concludes Dlamini.

As the 2009 YCA competition progresses towards the announcement of that winner, North West wishes Tsholofelo the best of luck for the National Final taking place in June.

For further information, please contact:

South Africa

Pranill Ramchander, Media Relations

Tel: +27 (0)11 638 2592

Notes to Editors:
Anglo American plc is one of the world’s largest mining groups. With its subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates, it is a global leader in platinum group metals and diamonds, with significant interests in coal, base and ferrous metals, as well as an industrial minerals business. The Group is geographically diverse, with operations in Africa, Europe, South and North America, Australia and Asia. (www.angloamerican.co.uk)