The Rapping Professor performed his GSS Capetown Rap at the Opening Ceremony of the Global Speakers Summit in South Africa, April 2009. In his rap, he highlights the key people, themes and activities of the event. Really gets people involved!

 

The GSS 2009 Capetown Rap

©2009Matthew The Rapping Professor

Verse

Take a look beside you and all around at this wonder of a city they call Capetown!

We’re delighted the planets have aligned to make this the location for GSS 2009.

Seventy top speakers from around the globe, as the marvels of South Africa explode!

So happy we’re all here to join the fun in the splendid environment of The Cape Sun.

The locale and food and vibe are top-tier, in the epicenter of the (southern) hemisphere!

My friends asked: “South Africa? Is it cool or warm out?”

I said: “I’m not sure—I’ve never been that far south!”

Refrain

Great friends and great speakers, great fun and great wine.

It’s all here in Capetown 2009!

Most of us visitors here to your beautiful nation have a fairly limited local education:

Diamonds and rugby, apartheid, safari; The Great Mandela and his ANC Party…

We’ve not heard ofDrakensburg or The Great Karoo,

The Wine Route, the Peace Parks and Kirstenbosch too.

For us, engaged in the speaking profession, our voices are our most prized possessions.

There’s a fine variety of events on tap, speakers, singers, tours and a rap!

I’m The Rapping Professor and I’m honored today to help usher in in a unique way

The third GSS. Here’s hoping this one will turn out the best!

So what does it take to host a GSS? There’s a long list of criteria for success:

Review the list and I’m sure you’ll agree, the award goes to Capetown and Richard Mulvey!

Refrain

Great friends and great speakers, great fun and great wine

It’s all here in Capetown 2009!

You hear a lot around here about the Big Five; some of the most impressive creatures alive:

Fierce Lion, Great Elephant and Mighty Rhino, Elegant Leopard and Huge Water Buffalo.

And now for the GSS galore, here’s the PSASA Big Five Plus More!

Who lives in Durbin with five kids in tow, and hosts singalongs at home—do ya know?

Chairing GSS, a huge responsibility—give it up for President Richard Mulvey!

Who watches over the budget, also lives in Durbin; he arranged the safaris, that’s our man, Grant Vernon.

Who caused the great Roelf Meyer to be here, a father of the Constitution without peer?

On his Robben Island tour, you’ll get the most, from incoming Pres Dr. Gustav Gous!

Who has an annual founders award in his name? Being elusive is his brand and game.

Many are here at Stef du Plessis’ hail; just don’t expect a reply to your email!

Who’s a lovely peacemaker, olive branch over sword?

With dignity and class, she calms the Board.

You’ve probably guessed at this description in brief:

Last year’s president, that’s Annie Good Greeff!

Who led Wednesday’s GSN, a top media coach,

On his global social networking media approach?

Federation VP for some very good reasons; Where In The World is…Alan Stevens?!

Who’s a fine motivator, highlight of any event?

Takes the award for Best-Dressed Past President!

Highly respected wherever he goes, when Selekane’s there, everyone knows!

Who’s a good-looking fella who sounds like Mandela?

A true connoisseur who loves to do wine tours.

Ran 56K just the other day—Voilà! Our Marathon Vintner, Paul du Toit!

Refrain

Great friends and great speakers, great fun and great wine

It’s all here in Capetown 2009!

There’s several other people we’d like to thank;

Having these guys on board is like money in the bank.

Scott Friedman founded GSS in 2004, then the first one was held in ‘05 Singapore.

The second in 07 was in Dubai, and now here in Capetown is the lucky third try.

Past NSA Pres and frequent keynote; need a good line? Ask Funny Scott for a quote! Motivational speaker and humor innovator, catches a lot of grief for being a serial dater.

Oh and by the way, if you don’t like my lines, blame it on Scott—he gave me food for my rhymes!

We’d also like to welcome Sam Silverstein, US NSA Pres who’s established a theme:

As he travels the country and the globe, his appeal to all associations: ‘Keep It Real!’

Lenora Billings Harris chairs the Speaker Selection Committee.

As President of NSA in ’06 was sitting pretty.

Has a love for South Africa that’s beyond her control

As she carries on her work with Substance and Soul.

A shout-out to Lindsay Adams—is he our only Aussie?

The incoming President of the Federation posse.

Tall and clean, a speaker first-rate; to Lindsay we offer a hearty ‘Gday Mate!’

Also to Roger Harrop, we send our good cheer, the President of PSA UK this year.

No need to ask Where In The World Is Roger?

Everybody knows he’s Staying In The Helicopter!

Also from the UK comes the esteemed Lesley Everett,

Branding expert nonpareil, and is she ever clever at it!

At these international conferences, Lesley’s known by all;

While others feel the economic pinch, she’s still Walking Tall!

To call this man a legend, I don’t think I’d be fooling ya.

We know him as Mitchell, but what the heck’s the ‘W’?!

The Federation President, in beer he’s often swimmin’;

Always holding court, surrounded by gorgeous women.

We all nod in agreement, when Mitchell recounts:

It’s not what happens to you, it’s what you do with it that counts!

Refrain

Great friends and great speakers, great fun and great wine

It’s all here in Capetown 2009!

Nikki handled all the details—payment and registration,

And supplied me South African political information.

Thank you Nikki very much for your endless dedication.

Jo-burg-based CSI is our sole sponsor—and keen.

That’s Conference Speakers International—not Crime Scene.

E-Speakers connect speakers and bureaus, and hosts the GSS website,

Helping professional speakers run their businesses right.

A Summit doesn’t happen without staff and volunteers.

For their hard work and cheerfulness, let’s raise a mighty cheer!

Refrain

Great friends and great speakers, great fun and great wine

It’s all here in Capetown 2009!

I hear next week will take place elections, does COPE have ANC by the throat?

Here’s hoping the voters make the best selections; you guys feeling lekke to vote?

The Rapping Professor has run out of rhymes; actually, just run out of time.

If we’ve overlooked anyone, please excuse us; we ask for forgiveness & hope you won’t abuse us.

Most importantly, may you have a great GSS!

We hope we pass the test, and HERE’S TO YOUR SUCCESS!!

Refrain (repeat as necessary)

Great friends and great speakers, great fun and great wine

It’s all here in Capetown 2009!