Paul du Toit is the first speaker on the African continent this century to be awarded the Certified Speaking Professional designation from the National Speakers Association (USA) in 2008, thereafter serving as Southern Africa’s CSP Liaison Officer, helping and encouraging over a dozen other Southern African speakers to achieve their CSPs. In 2013 he became a Global Speaking Fellow along with 21 other inaugural recipients at the Global Speakers Summit in Vancouver, Canada.

Born in Cape Town in 1958, his grounding in theatre and entertainment provided an ideal springboard for a career in facilitation, coaching and professional speaking. He founded Johannesburg based Congruence Training in 1995 which he runs to this day.

He is a founder member and Past President of the Professional Speakers Association of Southern Africa receiving their Founders award at the Global Speakers Summit in Cape Town in April 2009 for exceptional service to the speaking industry. He has since served as Secretary and Treasurer of the Global Speakers Federation. In 2017 he was inducted in to the Southern African Speakers Hall of Fame.

He has spoken to tens of thousands of people at conferences and corporate events globally. He is a business speaker, coach and authority on customer experience and business presentations, and author of two books including “You Can Present with Confidence” released internationally in 2011. Paul continues to blog on speaking, presenting and customer experience and sends a regular email newsletter on presenting to thousands of opt-in subscribers. His content-rich and often humorous interviews related to remote presentation during lockdown have been well received by the business and speaking community. 

He runs several marathons (and at least one ultra-marathon) a year to keep in trim and whilst in training frequents the hills of Sandton in the mornings with his dog Samuel. He knows a fine wine when he smells it – his favourite reds finding temporary resting in his cellar, and appreciated a good single malt. He keeps an eye open for suppliers of excellent coffee beans and establishments that can match his home brew, which he enjoys with a block of dark chocolate. He plays guitar and hums a tune for relaxation, a pastime that once earned him a living, and occasionally posts a tune online.

He has 2 grown up daughters, Chanel and Jenna and lives in Sandton with his wife Trudi.

Paul can be contacted at pdt@congruence.co.za. Websites: www.congruence.co.za and www.presentationskills.co.za. His YouTube channel is YouTube.com/pauldutoit1