Vanessa Goosen: Inspirational Speaker

  • Former Miss South Africa Finalist (1993): Vanessa was a rising star in South Africa’s pageant world, recognized for her beauty, poise, and ambition.
  • Entrepreneur and Fashion Retailer: Before her arrest, she ran a successful clothing boutique, demonstrating strong business acumen at a young age.
  • Survivor of 6½ Years in a Thai Prison: Wrongfully imprisoned for drug trafficking, Vanessa gave birth in prison and made the courageous decision to send her daughter home to give her a better life.
  • Author of “Drug Muled: Sixteen Years in a Thai Prison”: Her best-selling memoir is a gripping and inspirational account of injustice, endurance, and spiritual growth.
  • Acclaimed Inspirational Speaker: Since her release and return to South Africa, Vanessa has spoken to schools, corporate audiences, churches, and women’s groups—touching lives with her honesty and faith.

Travel & Fee Range:**

  • Travels from: Johannesburg
  • **Fee range: 20,001 - 35,000
  • In-Person Fee: ZAR 27,500

Keynote Topics

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

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 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.

Contact us at Speakers Inc and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Vanessa Goosen | Inspirational Speaker

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

  • Promoted

Dr. Dana K Prophet is a globally recognized empowerment speaker and transformation coach whose work bridges the realms of psychology, personal growth, and spiritual awakening. As a research psychologist and former collaborator with luminaries like Tony Robbins and Dr. John Demartini, Dr. Prophet has dedicated her career to helping individuals unlock their highest potential through […]

  • Empowerment Speaker

Shimmy Isaacs is a trailblazing South African comedian, actress, and writer, celebrated for her sharp observational humor and compelling storytelling. With a career spanning stand-up comedy, television, and theatre, she has won multiple awards and performed on some of the biggest comedy stages in the country. Her ability to weave personal experiences, cultural nuances, and […]

  • Comedian. Emcee

Alan Knott-Craig is a luminary figure in the realm of entrepreneurship and social innovation, renowned for his unwavering commitment to bridging the digital divide in Africa. As a highly successful entrepreneur, best-selling author, and visionary leader, he has left an indelible mark on both the business landscape and the community at large. At the helm […]

  • Expert Technology

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

Nqoba Ngcobo is a Comedy Show Down winner, is a unique oddity in the South African Comedy scene. Nqoba’s witty and charismatic comedy is renowned for energetic delivery, brilliant observations, and poignant insights. The comedian also possesses the unique ability to inspire riotous laughter in any audience, irrespective of race and socioeconomic factors. He is […]

  • Comic Emcee
  • (2 reviews)

With close to 30 years in keynote speaking and consulting, Grant Driver has made a significant mark on workplace culture and employee engagement. His deep understanding of organizational dynamics, coupled with extensive experience in NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), has positioned him as an authority in optimizing workplace environments. His approach combines neuroscience-backed insights with practical techniques, […]

  • Employee Engagement

Jean de Villiers is a product of Paarl Gimnasium, the nursery of many a future South African star player (among them past international teammate Marius Joubert and South African back-rower Schalk Burger), De Villiers made his first impact at international level in the South African Sevens team, playing in ten of the eleven legs of […]

  • Rugby Legend

Amantle Mokubung marketing career spans over ten years and professionally trained through the AAA School of Advertising, IMM Graduate School, Digital Marketing Institute, and the Vega School of Brand Leadership. I share my expertise as a columnist for Your Business Magazine, a business coach at the Future Females Business School and through radio content contribution. My passion […]

  • Woman Empowerment
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:

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Speakers Inc Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated.

We use Brevo as our marketing platform. By submitting this form you agree that the personal data you provided will be transferred to Brevo for processing in accordance with Brevo's Privacy Policy.

We promise to not spam you!

Our Mission:

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

© All rights reserved 2025.  Designed using Voxel