Aïda Zeba, a biologist by training and specialist in public health, has built a career that combines multiple disciplines. She discovered her passion for public speaking in 2020 and has since become a renowned coach in art oratory. With 7 trophies won in competitions in Burkina Faso and abroad, Zeba now shares her experience with those who want to learn to express themselves effectively. Her journey began with her discovery of a video on a plea against female genital mutilation, which inspired her to explore her own public speaking potential.
Zeba's interest in public speaking led her to join her university's art oratory club, where she participated in several competitions and won trophies. However, she noticed that not all club members progressed at the same pace, which motivated her to start training others in public speaking. In late 2022, she began coaching individuals in public speaking and now runs a center for art oratory and personal development. Her approach focuses on helping individuals develop their expression skills and build confidence in themselves.
For Zeba, one of the first steps in public speaking is to help individuals realize their potential. She believes that everyone has what it takes to become an accomplished speaker, and her goal is to help them tap into that potential. According to her, public speaking is not limited to a specific category of people; anyone with a communication system can learn to express themselves in public. Her TEDx talk, "We all speak, but do we really talk?", explores the difference between speaking and truly communicating.
Zeba's TEDx talk, delivered in Alexandria, Egypt, examined the origin of the fear of public speaking. She argues that this fear does not develop in childhood but rather during adolescence, when the opinions of others begin to influence behavior. Her message encourages individuals to regain some of the spontaneity of childhood and not let fear hold them back. This idea is central to her coaching approach, which aims to help individuals develop their inner confidence and overcome their apprehensions.
In addition to her coaching work, Zeba is the coordinator of the West Africa Women Speakers Forum (WAS), which promotes leadership among young West African women through public speaking. The forum brings together young women leaders and speakers from seven West African countries, providing a platform for networking and exchange. The competition also offers a scholarship to the winner to learn English in Accra, Ghana.
Zeba sees a direct link between her biology background, public health specialization, and public speaking. She believes that effective communication is essential for successful health awareness actions. Her master's degree in public health was designed to enhance her expression skills and apply them to health issues, rather than limiting herself to laboratory work. Her commitment to empowering others through public speaking extends beyond her coaching work to her advocacy for cancer awareness.
Zeba's journey has not been without challenges, including disappointments in competitions. However, she remains optimistic and encourages young women with skills and ambitions to take the stage. Her message to them is simple: if you feel the desire to express yourself, you have the potential to do so. With her coaching and advocacy work, Zeba continues to empower others to find their voice and make a positive impact.
Key points
- Aïda Zeba has won 7 trophies in public speaking competitions in Burkina Faso and abroad.
- She coaches others in art oratory and personal development through her center.
- Zeba is also the coordinator of the West Africa Women Speakers Forum (WAS), promoting leadership among young West African women.
