Vanessa Goosen: Inspirational Speaker

Vanessa Goosen is a motivational speaker from Johannesburg, author of Drug Muled and her inspiring story of 18 years in a Thai jail after being framed. Vanessa has been the Key Note Motivational Speaker at numerous corporate engagements sharing her story and journey; bringing to these events great success and leaving those who hear it motivated, encouraged […]

Travel & Fee Range:**

  • Travels from: Johannesburg
  • **Fee range: 20,001 - 35,000

Vanessa Goosen is a motivational speaker from Johannesburg, author of Drug Muled and her inspiring story of 18 years in a Thai jail after being framed. Vanessa has been the Key Note Motivational Speaker at numerous corporate engagements sharing her story and journey; bringing to these events great success and leaving those who hear it motivated, encouraged […]

Vanessa Goosen is a motivational speaker from Johannesburg, author of Drug Muled and her inspiring story of 18 years in a Thai jail after being framed.

Vanessa has been the Key Note Motivational Speaker at numerous corporate engagements sharing her story and journey; bringing to these events great success and leaving those who hear it motivated, encouraged and with determination to pursue the greatness and excellence they are well-able to achieve.

She is an Author, Former Miss SA Semi-Finalist, Entrepreneur, a Counsellor, has appeared on numerous National and International Radio and TV Talk Shows and actively runs various Community Empowerment Projects.

 

Vanessa Goosen too is a very enterprising Motivational and Inspirational Speaker who has left a significant mark on the thousands she has engaged with on a Corporate, Social, Individual or Spiritual  level at events.Vanessa has been hosted on TV & Radio Talk Shows which include Club 700, Carte Blanche, Against All Odds, I am A Woman, Botswana TV, Wat Mense Sê, Verander Dinge; Newzroom Afrika, ENCA, Radio 2000 FM, Tygerberg, Good Hope, Bay FM, Kingfisher FM, East Coast Radio, Power FM, Jacaranda, Chai FM and Kaya FM.

She has been featured in various magazines both Locally and Internationally; which include amongst others Oprah, You, Drum, Huisgenoot, Sarie, Rooi Rose, Vroue Keur and Women Of Faith.

Her story featured in countries to the likes of Sweden, Hungary and the UK; She received A Global Award from England for her Story.

Vanessa Goosen book Drug Muled: Sixteen Years In A Thai Prison has sold thousands of copies, hitting Number One after a few weeks of release, as per the Nielson Rating and has received world-wide excellent ratings.

Vanessa Goosen | Inspirational Speaker

Vanessa was born in the Eastern Cape and  raised in a very close-knit family and community. She moved to Johannesburg at the age of eleven to complete her tertiary education.

With a good academic ability and  natural leadership skill and style, she was elected for various leadership roles.

At this tender age she already stood out as an individual who is able to exert influence and impact peers and large groups with her drive, great sense of humour, definitive decision making ability, tenacity and hunger for success.

Amidst various other talents and passions, Vanessa always had a flare for the fashion industry.

This love and passion ultimately led to her achieving great success at the Miss South Africa Beauty Pageant; reaching the Semi-Finals in 1993 when Jacqui Mofokeng, the first Black South African was crowned Miss South Africa.

This significant milestone was achieved despite Vanessa facing many challenges and with the odds stacked against her.

Competing at such a high level with success, tremendously grew her determination and confidence, bringing her to the perspective stance that “anything is achievable and possible, when pursued with heart, passion and  perseverance.

Before the age of 20, the natural entrepreneurial drive and ability within Vanessa had already kicked in with her pursuing her first major business venture.

Vanessa Goosen opened and co-owned an exclusive man’s fashion boutique in the thriving and sought-after Carlton Centre.

With the boutique’s clientele growing and with the desire to keep being consistently innovative, Vanessa set on a business trip to Thailand in 1994 to acquire fashion apparel and to import quality  fabric.

Vanessa Goosen returned to South Africa after being imprisoned for more than sixteen years, suffering through many ordeals and having overcome life threatening challenges and obstacles.

Her release was and still is a miracle for Vanessa, having become grounded in GOD  through this journey.

This horrific experience is a life changing must hear! Vanessa has spoken at companies from the likes of Clover, Anglo American, IBM, Engersol, Grindrod Bank, Cipla, EOH, Pick & Pay, Universities, Law Firms and various other Institutions.

Having overcome many challenges, obstacles,  life-threatening conditions and situations, Vanessa Goosen has emerged a stronger person who has now embedded within her much personal experience and expertise, which adds value on an individual as well as a team level to sectors such as Corporate Companies, Small & Medium Enterprises , Universities, Schools as well as the Fashion Sector.

Vanessa Goosen hosts Workshops using the experiences and obstacles she encountered in prison, bringing to the fore principles and mechanisms used to overcome it in relation to topics such as:

  • Survival-Flexibility-ChoicesHope In The Midst Of  Hopelessness
  • Dealing With Opposition
  • Shifting Focus – Enjoy The Journey
  • Face Your Fears–Learn From Others
  • What Is In Your Hands-Take Control
  • Your Worth – Your Value
  • Go Back To Go Forward
  • The Process-Positioning-Stance

Contact us at Speakers Inc and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Speakers Contact

Speaker Enquiry Form

Talent Resources to download

In order to view the below you must be logged in.

  • Powerpoint Slide – For meeting and event planners
  • Gallery Images
  • High Resolution Images
  • PDF Files
  • Books and Magazine Links

View further speakers

Richard Sutton is a renowned health and performance expert based in South Africa, celebrated for his innovative approaches to stress resilience and human potential optimization. With a career spanning over two decades, Richard has been instrumental in guiding elite athletes, corporate leaders, and organizations toward achieving peak performance through strategic lifestyle and behavioral modifications. In […]

  • Health Performance

Dr. Roze Phillips is an African futurist dedicated to unleashing the abundance of Africa to the world. She is the founder of Abundance@Work and speaks and consults regularly on topics related to the Future of Work and the Workforce of the Future. Roze does a radio show on Cape Talk radio about Future trends and […]

  • Futurist Speaker
  • (4 reviews)

Candice Mama is a beacon of inspiration, resilience, and compassion, recognized globally for her remarkable journey and impactful contributions. Her indomitable spirit has earned her a place among Vogue Magazine’s esteemed list of the top 33 most inspiring women in the world, standing shoulder to shoulder with icons such as Nicole Kidman, Michelle Obama, and […]

  • Inspirational Speaker

Nicky Verd is a dynamic Digital Futurist, Kickass Author, International Keynote Speaker, and Consultant renowned for her pioneering insights into the AI-driven economy. A voice for those yearning to disrupt the status quo and reinvent themselves, Nicky’s electrifying presentations empower audiences to embrace the future with confidence and creativity. With a background that combines personal […]

  • Digital Technology

Alex Harris is a name synonymous with fearless exploration and unparalleled determination. Hailing from the enchanting landscapes of South Africa, Harris has carved his legacy as an esteemed mountaineer and extreme athlete. His remarkable feats include leading a groundbreaking expedition that achieved a world-first: traversing the daunting expanse of the Empty Quarter (Rub’ al Khali) […]

  • Adventurer Speaker

Graeme Richards from anchoring live time prime news to practicing martial arts, Graeme Richards is a man of every moment. Having presented on almost every South African television and platform and having conducted interviews with local and international superstars in sport, lifestyle and entertainment, Graeme has sustained an admirable level of success. Currently based in […]

  • Celebrity Emcee

Vanessa Marawa was the winner of the first season of Survivor South Africa: Panama. She beat Jacinda Louw in the final with a 3-2 jury vote. Vanessa pursued a modeling career in Cape Town, but decided to move back to Durban, where she worked as a real estate agent. She has also worked as a make […]

  • Event Emcee

Dalin Oliver hosts Happy Hour, a weekly comedy show on the Western Cape commercial radio station, Good Hope FM on Mondays between 11:00am and 12:00pm with fellow comedian Carl Weber. Dalin is also the sports presenter on the radio station’s breakfast show weekdays between 06:00am and 09:00am, hosted by Nigel Pierce. His passion for the […]

  • Comedian
Disclaimer
The profiles and images embedded on these pages are from various conference entertainers and other talent.

These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.

Fee ranges where listed on this website are intended to serve as a guideline only.

All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.

Our Mission

We are your partner creating memorable and engaging experiences that go beyond the event itself.

Newsletter Signup

* indicates required

Intuit Mailchimp

Subscribe to our Newsletter and get connected:

Our Mission:

We are your partner creating memorable and engaging experiences that go beyond the event itself.

© All rights reserved 2025.  Designed using Voxel