The McGuire Programme Marks Its Return to In-Person Courses in South Africa

After a long hiatus, the McGuire Programme returned to in-person courses in South Africa from September 27-29, 2024, under the leadership of Freddie Van Der Westhuizen, the newly appointed Regional Director for the region. Held in Pretoria, the event brought together new students (NS) and returning graduates for a weekend focused on building speaking skills, confidence, and a supportive community.

The course opened on a warm spring morning, starting with introductions, testimonials from returning graduates, and initial video recordings of each new student’s speech. Among the attendees was a 12-year-old NS, accompanied by her mother, a long-standing McGuire graduate herself. The excitement of returning to in-person training for the first time since the pandemic was palpable, with returning grads eager to support the new students in their journey.

The first day introduced students to the core physical techniques, known as the “Big 4 Physical Weapons.” This hands-on approach allowed students to actively engage with their speech, focusing on practical techniques to manage their stutter. Despite a slight language and accent barrier, Freddie and the team managed to ensure everyone could participate fully, laying a strong foundation for the more challenging sessions to come.

Saturday expanded into the psychological side of stuttering, delving into the “ICEBERG” concept to address the underlying fears and beliefs that accompany stuttering. Returning grads took the lead, demonstrating these techniques in real-world contacts with 100 practice interactions and showing how enjoyable it could be to work with their speech, even in challenging scenarios. A highlight of the day was a virtual session with Dave McGuire himself, who led a Masterclass and offered inspiration and insights directly to the participants.

By Sunday, the new students were well-prepared for their first public speaking exercises. With drills and support from coaches, they practiced speaking in front of others, applying their techniques to build confidence in both prepared and spontaneous speaking situations. This exercise encouraged them to loosen up and discover the potential of their newfound fluency techniques. The students then had the chance to put these skills into practice during their first contact session outside the course venue, returning with new insights and a palpable sense of achievement.

The weekend concluded with a look at the path forward, encouraging new students to embrace their beginner’s mindset as they set out on their “Road to Articulate Eloquence.” Acknowledging that long-standing speech patterns take time to reshape, Freddie and the team advised the NS to commit to these new techniques for at least 30 days, allowing them to solidify their progress.

The success of this weekend is a testament to the resilience and commitment of the McGuire community in South Africa. Special thanks were extended to the parents of the younger students for their ongoing support, as well as to the dedicated coaches and graduates who volunteered their time and expertise. Their collective efforts ensured that this course not only resumed the in-person aspect of the McGuire Programme but also reinforced the mission to empower individuals who stutter with tools, techniques, and a supportive community to achieve lasting confidence in their speech.