Speeches by Nduati

I once read Anton Chekhov’s short story The Bishop, about a Russian bishop named Pyotr. It narrates his life in the weeks leading up to Easter. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear the bishop is unwell. Chekhov portrays his loneliness—how his high position prevents people from speaking to him…

Recently, I was watching a film called Time Bounce. In the movie, the hero finds himself trapped in a time loop—every single day repeats exactly the same.  On that repeating day, his love interest, gets shot. Over and over again. So, he tries to stop it. He tries to warn…

I recently became hooked on painting. Not because I’m good at it—I once tried to draw two doves in a romantic setting, and they ended up looking like a sparrow and a penguin kissing on a tree. What I love about painting is watching paint dry. That phrase usually means…

There are two reactions I usually get as I go about my day in Addis. One is when someone starts speaking Amharic to me. They explain they did it because I kind of look local. But my wife doesn’t buy it. Once I told her, “The masseuse at the spa…

I remember a hike through a bamboo forest in Kenya’s Aberdare Range. It began on a cool, bright morning—walking on a carpet of fallen bamboo leaves, shaded beneath a canopy of ancient trees. The only sounds were the crunch of leaves beneath our boots, birdsong, and the occasional creaks or…

A few months ago, I gave two speeches on the same day. Let me tell you about the second one first. I was speaking at an advanced Toastmasters club—the kind of club where members are experienced, evaluations are precise, and every word and action is weighed carefully. Over the years,…

As a new member, I was rarely in the best mental space after delivering a speech. Let me explain. When I plan to grill something on Saturday, I pick up several pieces of mutton loin chops on Thursdays. I will then mix my marinade made up of 10 secret spices.…

I have visited Addis Ababa several times, but my first experience is etched clearly in my memory. As the plane descended, I stared out at the sprawling city, its lights twinkling like scattered jewels against the inky blackness of the night. Looking at those lights I wondered Who were all…

What are you? You heard that right. What are you? Not who—but what are you?  We often define ourselves not by who we are, but by what we can or cannot do. This can be a dangerous thing. 5 years ago, I discovered hiking as a fun way to spend…

“There is no peace when there is a mad man in the house.” That’s how I began a speech about leadership styles back in 2019. I was talking about Donald Trump as he had recently been elected the U.S. president. Fast forward to 2025, he is back and the world…