Looking for fresh ideas?
Contact Us to find the perfect match for your next event!
As a stand-up comedian, MC, actor, writer & facilitator Trevor Gumbi – MC Comedian underlying charm offsets his assertive energy on stage as he brings to the fore, some socially uncomfortable issues and he delivers them with hilarity.
Whilst outspoken and sometimes controversial, Trevor Gumbi is a firm favourite in the corporate market, where he can be found entertaining executives and their employees with tailored material, proving that he has the ability to adapt rapidly and appropriately for diverse audiences.
Trever has had his audiences in stiches at several major comedy events in the country, including performing at Comedy Central Live, Sex Live at the Lyric, Kings & Queens of Comedy, Oppikoppi, Rocking the Daisies, Kingsize Comedy Jams, Blacks Only, Laugh Out Loud, Arts Alive Comedy Festival, to name a few.
Alongside John Vlismas, he co-hosted a multi-day conference for Nando’s in late 2005 and he performed for a large internal launch for McDonald’s in 2006.
That same year, Trevor performed at the FNB Life Start Campus Road Show, travelling to tertiary campuses countrywide.
With an impressive list of satisfied clients, Trevor has hosted an unprecedented number of Standard Bank conferences and numerous road shows.
He has a recognizable voice on a number of radio adverts, with a Top 5 Most Downloaded Radio Show on CliffCentral every Monday afternoon at 14:00pm.
He was voted one of South Africa’s Twitter Kings by Cosmopolitan readers in January 2011.
He is widely recognized as the character he played in Vodacom’s Brother Ubuntu Freedom ads and as the voice of the fowl in the Hippo Insurance campaign.
He has voice-over experience on ETV’s animated series, Jozi Zoo and he has been heard doing skits on 5FM as the ‘black guy at a braai’.
He has enjoyed the success of his TV skit show for the Vodacom Super 14 Rugby Season as Offside Vilakazi and he was seen weekly on SABC 1’s entertainment celebrity show, The Real Goboza.
A combination of Trevor’s talent, passion, dedication, professionalism and hard work has been seen in all opportunities presented to him and he continues to nurture his craft in order to be one of the best in his field.
Trevor Gumbi on comedy Central
Tech requirements: A good PA system with a good quality mic; good lighting and a stage (if necessary) required …
Contact us at Speakers Inc and view our International site
The Graeme Watkins Project brings a dirty, edgy, rough approach to a medley of pop, indie, rock and electronic genres!“Runner Up” in Idols, Graeme Watkins has returned to the big stage on his own terms, with his highly successful band, “The Graeme Watkins Project”.
But this band is not only about Graeme. It consists of phenomenal musicians who can be individually recognised – Ryno Zeelie (lead guitar), Rudo Pieterse (bass) and Matthew Marinus (drums).
The unit has managed to break the ‘cookie-cutter’ mould of the stereotypical SA-Pop Rock sound by producing fresh sounds!
Some background on the project:
The Graeme Watkins Project band exploded in South Africa in 2011, after the release of their debut album, ‘Corridors of the Mind” – a hot product at most events and festivals around the country.
The group were invited to Los Angeles to perform at A + R Worldwides Musexpo, where they had the opportunity to perform for industry legends such as Larry King, Seymour Steyn and Michael Chugg to name a few!
Whilst performing in LA, the band was spotted by international Producer and A+R specialist, Jeff Blue of Atlantic Records.
In the space of one year, they have produced five Top 10 hit singles from the album.
In 2012, they were nominated for 2 SAMA Awards (‘Best Rock’ and ‘Best Video’), 1 MK Award (‘Best Newcomer’) and a YOU Spectacular Award (‘Best Music Act’). See Speakers Inc list of Bands
2013 has seen their fresh new single, “Fight When We’re Young”, produced by LA-based producer, Jeff Blue. This song comes from their hugely anticipated album, due to be released in the middle of this year.
With a range of songs, incorporating a host of genre’s – from rock to indie, to pop, to deep and meaningful ballads – this band is full of surprises!
Their music has an ADHD inspired beat, which is designed to get the crowd into the mad-capped mind set of the band members – with the intention to get the audience to break out of their comfort zone and to rock out to the all-encompassing movement of this group’s melody!
“The front man’s massive amount of energy got the crowd going and before long I was jumping up and down and happy again. The Graeme Watkins Project performance sufficiently inspired me to purchase a copy of their CD at the door on the way out”
– The Urbanist
“[The album] is the perfect mix of rock, indie and electro and really is a step up for South African music”
– ontheradio.za.net
“You’ll recognise the band’s passionate foot-stamping and wide-eyes with their utter enthusiasm and pride in their music.”
– Looklocal.co.za
“Africa is listening and the fans can’t believe the music they are making”
– takealot.com
Contact us at Speakers Inc and subscribe to our YouTube channel
Lauren Davis has 20+ years translating cutting-edge psychology into practical business strategy, helping leaders and HR professionals transform wellbeing from a “nice-to-have” into a true performance lever. A registered Clinical Psychologist, Mental Health Coach and founder of LJD Wellbeing, she blends clinical depth with commercial insight – guiding organisations to protect mental health without losing momentum.
Lauren has delivered keynotes, masterclasses, and leadership off-sites for a mix of multinationals, high-growth scale-ups, and public-sector teams. Her style is warm, evidence-based, and refreshingly candid: expect real-world stories, insight-rich strategies that create lasting change, and a dash of humour that keeps even the most data-driven audiences leaning in.
When she’s not speaking, Lauren Davis hosts the podcast Beneath the Busy: Insights into Workplace Mental Health, where she unpacks the hidden drivers of burnout, boundary collapse, and workplace mental health. She also provides one-to-one leadership coaching and supervision for HR leaders, weaving neuroscience, psychology, and systemic thinking into every conversation.
Contact us at Speakers Inc and view our International site
Nicola Tyler is a renowned expert in the field of Lateral Thinking and she has been a strategist and leadership development trainer for over twenty years.
During this time, she worked with, and was trained by, Dr Edward de Bono, in his creative and lateral thinking methods. As CEO of Business Results Group, she heads up the official distributorship of Dr Edward de Bono’s Thinking Methods, Official Tom Peters Training, iOpener Institute’s Science of Happiness at Work and Liz Wiseman’s Multipliers Leadership Development in Southern Africa.
BRG also owns the prestigious brand, ‘The Progress Conference’; host to the annual Happiness @ Work conference and numerous thought leadership programs in South Africa.
Nicola Tyler has shared the stage with a number of world renowned speakers such as Martin Seligman, Dave Ulrich, Tom Peters, Martin Lindstrom, Robert Kaplan, Ricardo Semler and more. She has personally addressed audiences in Argentina, Bahrain, Bangkok, Brussels, Cambodia, Paris, Prague, Mauritius, Switzerland and London, as well as having done extensive work in Africa and in the Middle East.
She is a Professional Associate at GIBS (Gordon Institute of Business Science), which has been ranked as the number one Business School in Africa (Financial Times, UK), where, for several years
Nicola presented an MBA elective on Creative and Innovative Thinking. Today, she presents on a number of company specific programs for the business school on both Innovative and Strategic Thinking.
Nicola Tyler is a professional, insightful and engaging speaker who is passionate about making a difference and delivering results.
She brings a deep respect and appreciation for business needs into their sessions by engaging people at all levels and encouraging the process of thinking in such a way, that it stimulates commitment and buy-in to decisions.
She is widely considered a master at applying de Bono’s techniques in live business situations. Nicola Tyler is an erudite presenter and master facilitator with business experience way beyond the field of Creative Thinking.
Nicola Tyler unique and pragmatic style of working has earned her a reputation for being able to ‘turn strategy into action’ and personal passion for thinking, innovation and results, is realized through a process that she has coined as ‘Operative Strategy’.
Drawing on Nicola Tyler twenty years of experience in the fields of strategy and innovation, Nicola facilitates strategic planning, strategic thinking and innovation processes and workshops across a variety of industries.
She regularly consults to organisations on strategic innovation, she coaches executives on the implementation of strategy and she facilitates partnering innovation workshops for clients.
Nicola has been interviewed on radio, television, and Nicola Tyler – Strategic Lateral Leadership has frequently contributed to articles on management journals, both locally and internationally.
Thinking Differently ™ About ….
It’s not often that you can book a speaker to present on any topic but quite literally, that’s what you can do with Nicola.
Nicola Tyler will bring to your subject the topic of thinking and in an engaging and high impact presentation, she will get your team thinking differently about … just about … ANYTHING!
The trick is the thinking part. She’s done in mining, sales, financial services, health care, human resources, manufacturing, marketing, branding, finance, risk management and more! And, even if she hasn’t done one in your field, she will be up for the challenge for sure!
Think – discover how your brain processes information and what goes right and wrong when you begin to think.
Differently – discover the power of perception and how learning to change perceptions can change, just about, anything. It’s the key to innovation success and it will unlock new thinking in the room, in an instant!
About – pick your topic and that will become the theme of Nicola Tyler presentation. She will research your industry and get to know your needs to ensure that she hits the relevant nail on the head! Your wish, is Nicola’s command!
Our company has quite a few different products in our stable. Nicola Tyler is a master certified trainer in de Bono courses (Six Thinking Hats, Lateral Thinking, Power of Perception, Six Value Medals and Simplicity). The most favoured course is Lateral Thinking.
Contact us at Speakers Inc and subscribe to our YouTube channel
Mark Sham is a dynamic entrepreneur, author, and speaker from South Africa, renowned for his passionate advocacy of informal education and his commitment to supporting small businesses. Despite being expelled from school at 17 and lacking formal education, Mark mastered the world of informal learning, leveraging his experiences and self-taught knowledge to propel his career forward. He is the founder of several innovative ventures, including Suits & Sneakers, The Tryst, and Like a Tourist.
Suits & Sneakers is a social enterprise dedicated to revolutionizing education. It hosts events and creates content aimed at promoting lifelong learning through informal education, believing in the power of continuous learning to stay relevant in today’s fast-paced world.
The Tryst is a multi-purpose content creation hub located in Johannesburg, featuring a hybrid event space, video studios, training areas, and a bar. It serves as a collaborative space for bold brands and innovative ideas, helping individuals and companies create meaningful and engaging content.
Like a Tourist focuses on creating unique travel content that highlights the beauty and diverse experiences available in South Africa, aiming to inspire both locals and visitors to explore and appreciate the country’s many hidden gems.
Mark’s entrepreneurial journey is remarkable, given his unconventional path to success. He speaks with a ferocious energy and passion, adept at synthesizing broad-based thinking into formats that audiences can understand. He is not only creating awareness around his vision to change education and training in South Africa but also forging a network of entrepreneurs and corporate businesses to champion these causes.
Mark has spoken at various notable events, including the EOH Finance Indaba and the CEO Series with Lee Naik. He has been invited to speak at events hosted by companies such as EOH, City Logistics, and Standard Bank.
Event planners should consider booking Mark Sham for their next event because of his unique perspective on education and entrepreneurship. His talks are insightful, humorously delivered, and filled with thought-provoking messages. He has a proven track record of captivating audiences and leaving them energized and inspired. His passion for transforming education and his commitment to lifelong learning make him a valuable addition to any event.
In summary, Mark Sham is a passionate entrepreneur and speaker who is making significant strides in revolutionizing education through his various ventures. His story of overcoming adversity and using unconventional means to achieve success serves as an inspiration to many aspiring entrepreneurs and lifelong learners. His dynamic speaking style and commitment to lifelong learning make him a sought-after speaker for events focused on education, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
Contact us at Speakers Inc and follow us on Facebook
David Kau grew up in Kroonstad – a small and conservative town in the Free State. His mother was a prison warder. His grandmother wanted him to be a priest.
He doesn’t know where his father is. He was always trying to make people laugh – in between dodging tear gas and going to a local catholic school.
In standard two he wanted to be a doctor. In standard nine a civil engineer. Book through Speakers Inc
After Matric he studied at Pretoria Tech towards a career in electrical engineering, but got bored and went to UCT to be an actor instead.
He was discovered by accident while doing a corporate gig, and less than a year later took his own solo stand up show – The Rainbow Nation Tour – to the Grahamstown Arts Festival, and nicknamed himself Previous Lee Disadvantaged.
In the year 2000, he took on a second personality, that of the people’s poet, in “Introducing the People’s Poet”, which ran for two weeks at the Baxter Theatre in 2000.
David Kau was picked for the 2001 ‘Just for Laughs’ comedy fest in Montreal and made the Gala Evening “best of the fest” line-up after storming at his regular venues. Follow Speakers Inc on Twitter
Tech requirements: A good PA system with a good quality mic; good lighting and a stage (if necessary) required …
Contact us at Speakers Inc and subscribe to our YouTube channel
Aubrey Matshiqi is a Financial Mail rated political analyst. He was a Senior Research Associate at the Centre for Policy studies (CPS) in Johannesburg until March 2011, and was a research fellow at the Helen Suzman Foundation until December 2016.
In 2010, he was invited to take up a research fellowship at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Studies (Stias). At CPS he specialised in South African Politics with a special focus on the ANC and the Alliance, the re-alignment of opposition politics, electoral system reform and the state of democracy in South Africa.
At Stias he did research on historical memory and politics in post-apartheid South Africa. In May 2014, Aubrey Matshiqi was invited to speak at a symposium held in honour of Nelson Mandela at the Uppsala university in Sweden, and in October 2016 he was invited to speak in London at an investment conference on South Africa, Egypt and Nigeria.
Aubrey Matshiqi is a former Mathematics, Science and English teacher, strategist at the Premier’s Office in Gauteng, as well as, spokesperson for the MEC for education in Gauteng. He holds a degree in History and English Literature. He is also a former member of the United Democratic Front, African National Congress, Umkhonto we Sizwe (the military wing of the ANC) and the South African Communist Party.
He writes a monthly column for Engineering News and polity.org. He also writes regularly for other publications in and outside South Africa.
He has written book chapters, policy briefs and research papers on the following topics:
Aubrey Matshiqi has also given lectures at the National Defence College on South Africa, the UN Security Council and the International Balance of Forces. He has also guest-lectured to the MBA class at the Gordon Institute for Business Science (GIBS) on The Political Environment of Business.
Aubrey Matshiqi serves as a political analyst are used by academic institutions, research institutions, foreign embassies, ratings agencies, political parties and private companies.
Aubrey Matshiqi is currently writing two books one on the ANC and the state of the nation, and a second on his spiritual journey and becoming a sangoma/healer. In November 2012 Matshiqi’s e-book, The Zuma Moment and the Road to Mangaung, was published and is available on amazon.com and on Kindle books.
Contact us at Speakers Inc and view our International site
Tshiamo Matibela is an award-winning retail architect with over a decade of experience in revitalising and growing retail businesses. Her expertise lies in crafting innovative store designs and delivering strategic, end-to-end management solutions.
Tshiamo’s dedication to empowering local businesses has seen her collaborate with leading South African brands like Bathu and The Drip Group, playing a pivotal role in their growth, sustainability, and brand presence.
As the founder of StratScape, Tshiamo offers turnkey retail solutions that address every aspect of retail operations. From designing impactful retail spaces to implementing comprehensive management strategies, she ensures her clients achieve both functional efficiency and a compelling brand identity. Her innovative approach has made her a sought-after partner in the retail industry.
Furthering her commitment to the growth of local enterprises, Tshiamo established The Retail Girl, a Retail Academy focused on skills development and empowerment. Through this initiative, she equips local retailers with the tools and knowledge they need to enhance profitability and sustainability in an ever-evolving market.
Tshiamo Matibela’s work is a testament to her passion for driving excellence in retail. Her unique ability to blend creativity with strategic thinking has positioned her as a transformative force in the industry, inspiring businesses to achieve their fullest potential.
Contact us at Speakers Inc and view our International site
Dr. Graeme Lategan is a highly regarded corporate speaker, leadership strategist, and training expert with decades of experience transforming mindsets in boardrooms, leadership teams, and professional development arenas across South Africa and internationally. Known for his commanding presence and emotionally intelligent delivery, Dr. Graeme bridges the gap between organisational culture and people performance.
He has facilitated high-impact training and strategic leadership interventions for global brands, the public and private sector, and executive teams in regions including the Middle East and Africa. His focus on adaptive leadership, organizational culture, and management excellence has allowed him to serve clients across industries, cultures, and leadership levels with impact and clarity.
As a Power Speaker, Dr. Graeme Lategan brings a rare mix of authority and relatability — making him a natural choice for events, executive sessions, and strategic consulting. His ability to command attention, translate complex narratives into human stories, and hold space with credibility has positioned him as a sought-after trainer and speaker in both public and private sectors.
With a growing international presence, Dr. Graeme Lategan is increasingly recognised as a distinctive voice on leadership and culture in a globalised business world — combining insight, presence, and relevance on every stage he enters.
Contact us at Speakers Inc and subscribe to our YouTube channel
Kate Emmerson has shared her enLIGHTening ideas with over 45,000 people and her obsession with productivity, leveraging and de-cluttering translates.
South Africa’s foremost clutter expert, sought after international speaker, professional lifestyle coach, mastermind facilitator for other writers, runs retreats in idyllic locations and is the author of 2 books.
Kate is hell-bent on inspiring an energetic transition to LIVE LIGHT, LIVE LARGE by transforming South Africa and the world one shelf, one life, one home, one heart and one business at a time.
Kate is considered a down-to-earth coach, advisor and mentor who is always seeking a better version of life. With a huge appetite for change, love, travel, food, authenticity, wine, coffee and a raucous laugh – she is always up for an adventure somewhere new.
She is at home dressed to the nines at the opera or ballet playing city gal …as she is in walking shoes traversing the boggy moors soul-searching.
Kate Emmerson is a pretty good salsa dancer and can whip up a meal. She somehow pulled off being an executive chef in a villa (one summer in Provence as a self-proclaimed non-chef).
She owned a Harley-Davidson once upon another life, is always searching for heart-shaped rocks on remote beaches, and still misses her beloved cat, Stripey, who has a new forever home.
Kate Emmerson helps you question your life, your choices and how you spend your time, but is equally someone you can sip a flute of champagne with somewhere idyllic while flirting with life. Mostly she thinks out of the box and just isn’t afraid to take up space in the world.
She will not let you shrink back from challenges, but she may help you question if it is even the right challenge to be tackling? A bit of real authentic common sense.
South Africa’s foremost clutter expert, sought after international speaker, professional lifestyle coach, mastermind facilitator for other writers, runs retreats in idyllic locations and is the author of 2 books.
Kate Emmerson is hell-bent on inspiring an energetic transition to LIVE LIGHT, LIVE LARGE by transforming South Africa and the world one shelf, one life, one home, one heart and one business at a time.
Her books are now internationally published through appearing in the award winning movie “The Secrets of the Keys”, alongside the world’s self development leaders.
She has taken her message to the next level with THE MINIMALIST MANIFESTO and living location free for 2016.
Clients include the YPO/WPO, Nike, Massmart, Sage VIP Payroll, Investec, Air Mauritius, Dove, HP, Tsogo Sun, EY and Dermalogica.
Kate Emmerson inspires audiences by drawing on her vast experience and colourful life – combining a degree in Industrial Psychology, post graduate Industrial Relations, Master life coaching, practitioner of NLP and EFT along with owning her first family business in the wellness industry at age 25, a professional aromatherapist and reflexologist, as an executive chef in Provence, managing the sexy Fashion TV at Silverstar and owning a Harley Davidson at 40.
She was recently handpicked to appear as an expert in the transformational film “The Secrets of the Keys” (USA) and is the brand ambassador for DERMALOGICA, Essential Earth and Velamiyora Photography.
She truly lives her life according to the principles of being courageous, authentic and honest and is one of the main reasons clients are drawn to working with her.
Kate Emmerson – Quick Shift Deva believes in the possibility that anyone can shift his or her life when pairing deep intention with a logical step-by-step guide.
She wrote her first book, CLEAR YOUR CLUTTER to leverage her time and influence after realizing there are only so many homes she can personally go into to physically declutter.
Kate Emmerson has since helped thousands of clients all over the world let go of emotional, body and physical clutter and disorder.
It is her mission to inspire people to LIVE LIGHT, LIVE LARGE.
Kate Emmerson second book, DITCH YOUR GLITCH was written to support people on the next leg of the journey by following her process of STEP IN, STEP UP and STEP OUT.
She also shares her own journey of how she let life get the better of her several times, battling bulimia, financial loss and depression and shares this in a story titled “WHEN THE RABBITS STOMP”.
With courage and determination Kate reminds you to take charge of your life, and that anyone can get their life back on track, no matter how many “rabbits are stomping”.
Contact us at Speakers Inc and subscribe to our YouTube channel
