Today, I had the privilege of being a guest speaker at AFDA PE’s Open Day, sharing my journey with prospective students and inspiring them to embrace their own storytelling power.
The theme of my talk was simple but vital: You are a storyteller.
Opening Hook
I began the talk holding a gun pen, sharing a moment that changed my perspective forever:
“A few years ago, I was shot. And my very first thought wasn’t fear. It wasn’t panic. It was: ‘This is going to make an incredible story to tell one day.’”
It was in that moment I realized: I am a storyteller. And if you are sitting here at AFDA today, it’s because you are a storyteller too. You came here to tell your story — and I invited the audience to listen to mine.
Childhood – Other People’s Stories
I shared how storytelling shaped my childhood:
- Hearing aids (prop): “I didn’t always understand what was going on around me, so I made up stories to fill in the gaps. Storytelling was how I made sense of the world.”
- Monkey / Toy Story prop: “Watching Toy Story, I believed my toys could talk when I left the room. That’s the power of imagination.”
- Nancy Drew book prop: “Books taught me everything I needed to understand. Nancy Drew became my role model — an investigator, a discoverer of stories.”
- Mickey Mouse glove & medal props: “Drama competitions, winning medals, and visiting Disney World showed me the magic of stories on a grand stage.”
Young Adult – My Story
I then shared milestones from my own life:
- Sash & crown props: “Becoming Miss Deaf South Africa meant I was representing others as well as myself.”
- Magazines prop: “Seeing my face on magazine covers taught me how stories about us can inspire others.”
- Poster (Kinders van Stilte): “Performing in theatre revealed the joy of live storytelling.”
- Book (Viva la Vicki): “Publishing my book was finally telling my story in my own words.”
Other People’s Stories
I also reflected on how the stories of others impact us:
- Nephew’s book: “When my nephew Johan asked me about my book, I realized the stories we tell inspire others to tell theirs.”
- Gun pen (circle back): “Even pain and danger can become stories worth telling.”
- AFDA journey: “Coming to AFDA, making my first short film, registering my company, and applying for grants was a domino effect. And now, I’m about to shoot ThisAbility in Jeffrey’s Bay with the support of AFDA alumni.”
Closing – What Is Your Story?
I concluded by reminding the audience that they are the protagonists of their own stories:
“What story do you want to tell? What story burns inside you? What story will you fight for, even when the world tells you it’s impossible?”
I left them with this call to action:
“Be passionate about your story. Tell it boldly. Because the world is waiting to hear it — and only you can tell it.”
Using props as anchors, the talk took students on a journey from childlike wonder → young adult achievement → maturity and responsibility → invitation to own their story. It was a joy to witness their excitement and engagement throughout the talk, and to remind them that everyone has a story worth telling.
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