A 14-year-old student, James Capstick-Dale, recently delivered a powerful and unconventional speech at the University of Cape Town’s Student Leadership Awards. He shifted the traditional focus from leadership to the essential, yet often overlooked, concept of followership....Click to Read More >>➤
His address captivated the university’s leadership and top students, including the Vice-Chancellor. James argued that while leaders receive much attention, their efforts are meaningless without dedicated followers.
This perspective on followership formed the core of his inspiring message.
The event celebrated the Kerry Capstick-Dale Student Leadership Awards. These awards honor exceptional leadership at UCT. Established after the death of Kerry Capstick-Dale by his widow, Tamra, and friends, the program typically recognizes two students. This year, due to the high caliber of candidates, a record four awards were presented.
James is no stranger to the ceremony. He first spoke at the age of seven, delivering a speech on leadership, knowledge, and wisdom in both English and French. Last year, his younger brother, Alexandre (Alexis), introduced him before he spoke on leadership in multiple languages.
This year, James chose to explore a different theme. He decided to focus on the critical counterpart to leadership: followership.
The Importance of Followership
James, with help from his mother Tamra, crafted a speech delivered in English with quotes in Greek, French, and Latin. He was once again introduced by his nine-year-old brother, Alexis.
James articulated a vital truth about collective achievement. He emphasized that without committed followers, no vision ever leaves the page. No movement takes root, and no goal becomes a reality. His speech highlighted the quiet, critical role that followers play in enabling any leader’s success.
This insightful take on followership challenged the audience to appreciate the synergy between leading and following.
For James, public speaking is a honed skill. He dedicates significant time to perfecting his craft before each event.
“I practice for a public speech every night for about six weeks,” James explained. “This ensures my cadence, tonality, and emphasis are correct. My mother helps me sentence by sentence so I don’t rush through any part of it, which is always a risk under pressure.”
He also praised his brother’s composure, noting, “Alexis does incredibly well for a boy who is so shy normally. We’ll have to see if he, or my younger sister Ariane, develop a taste for public speaking.”
A Commitment to Learning and Growth
James and his siblings attend the French School in Cape Town. James is on the International Section, a program designed to ensure full bilingualism in English and French. This pathway eases entry to universities worldwide.
His education extends beyond the standard curriculum. James receives tutoring in extra English, Spanish, Latin, History, and Critical Thinking. He also participates in Kumon Maths and English programs.
Outside academics, he enjoys watersports and karate. Alexis also does Kumon Maths and English and has tutoring in extra English and Spanish.
The ceremony took place on Friday, 17 October. James’s thoughtful examination of followership provided a fresh and memorable perspective for all attendees, reinforcing that true progress is always a collaborative effort. ...Click to Read More >>➤
