The ManicaPost
By Morris Mtisi
The following is a speech Maposa delivered to school heads at the 2017 NASH conference in Kariba. It is a powerful speech in many ways, short and sweet and full of verbal wit and cryptic intelligence. Enjoy it. But above all read it to learn, understand and master the skilful art or science of speech delivery.
LADIES and gentlemen, welcome to Conference 2017. So much is on our plate this time. But before that, allow me to first of all welcome those who have just been given rank-through promotion. For so long you have been in acting capacity, not even sure whether with the advent of the updated curriculum you could be rendered relevant to the new system. It is a rank with herculean duties and responsibilities. Some of you were privates and lieutenants but are now commanders and generals. Enjoy your space while it lasts.
Comrades, we meet again in emblematic conditions depicting the nature of our work as generals and commanders. We have to brave it as seasoned soldiers. What is winter to a seasoned soldier? It is nothing but a passing phase. The working conditions in this age are as chilly as the winter we are enduring this year. We are reminder of Napoleon’s time. What really led to Waterloo? Was it ‘Mr General, winter? or the fire of the scorch-the earth policy? It does not matter the. The mark he put was huge and indelible in history. And so is our mark! That is what should be the beacon of our strides comrades. In the face of adversity it is not about the slip and the thud of the fall—it’s the heroics of picking up, getting dusted and moving on that matter.
Mark Victor Hansen had to put it bluntly and said, “When you have a clear purpose, you would not have time for negativity.” We all have to smell the coffee, the updated curriculum and current trends in education are irreversible and intolerant of any contrary discourse. There is, therefore, need to keep our heads above the tides and follow the flow till we reach the beach. I believe we have done well as NASH, hence the peak we are standing on today. It is all because we programmed ourselves for success. Where the tide is thick, do not laugh at the crookedness of the rivers-they are geniuses, they are thus because they follow the least line of resistance and safely get to the oceans and deliver the waters. In strong winds and currents, do not oppose these but simply adjust your sails and you will get to your destination.
In that way let us revel in SASSAF, dance in CASSAF, DASSAF, PASSAF and NASSAF. Love your adventurous job comrades!
Let is detest defeat and live on success. This is what Michael E, Angier felt when he stated, “If you develop the habits of success, you will make success a habit.” We have decades of sharpening minds off various conditions, attitudes and backgrounds for positive success.
‘‘We, only we the leaders in education can turn the current world into a new dispensation, the new world. We have sharpened our projections for success and today no one argues-NASH is an epitome of success under whose shade all and sundry shall gather to marvel at the numerous possibilities at our disposal.
We may be an organization of many virtues yet one that is little loved, let us remain brave and proud and unshakeable like a candle— always ready to sacrifice and burn itself out while lighting other candles and giving light to those who need it— after all ours is a sacred job whose rewards are found in heaven.
TALKING POINTS
In the study of Literature, students are taught to critically analyse or appreciate the tones and moods created by speakers and writers through their choice of words. What words do you identify in this speech and what mood or atmosphere is created? What differences do you note in this speech compared to Moses Mukoyi’s in Unit…..???. Which one did you enjoy more or better or which one was more appealing and in what ways?
What do the words ‘comrades’, ‘seasoned soldiers’, commanders, ‘lieutenants’ ‘generals’ etc make you feel or think about the speaker or writer? Remember no one can say you are wrong about your feelings, so long as you can justify why you feel that way. That is what ‘critical thinking is all about.’ The new English Course aims at developing critical thinking in you.
It is hoped that you do not fail to notice and appreciate the different strengths, language tastes and styles of all writers and speakers.
Remember comprehension is not only reading with understanding and ability to answer the traditional comprehension questions, but also importantly to appreciate the different language flavours and craftsmanship of writers.
