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TRAINING AND COACHING FOR OVER 30+ YEARS
Our Story
We believe everyone has a story to tell. So… what’s yours
Accents began over 30 years ago, not in a boardroom, but in a classroom. We worked with primary school children, helping them walk taller, speak clearly and believe they mattered. Their parents watched in awe as confidence grew, not just in words – But in spirit.
Soon, those same adults came knocking, asking: Can you help me find my voice, too? That simple question changed everything – our mission was born. We serve our community – no matter their age, background, or accent – and help them to discover their full potential through voice, communication, and presence.
Today, Accents coaches professionals at every level – executives, call centre agents, CEOs, and thought leaders – to speak with clarity, passion, and presence.
FOUNDING MEMBER & CEO
Marija Ruygrok
Marija Ruygrok is a passionate confidence-builder. She has a B.A. Honours
degree in Dramatic Art from the University of the Witwatersrand, where she
majored in Acting, Directing and Drama in Education.
Marija has more than thirty years of experience, training and coaching people
of all ages in Speech, Drama, English, Presentation Skills and Telephone
Techniques. She, herself was trained in Voice Production by one of South
Africa’s leading voice tutors, Joan Little.
Marija has been part of the development of many leading politicians
and public figures such as:
- Adrian Gore (CEO Discovery Health)
- Zozibini Tunzi (Miss SA & Miss Universe)
- Kisa Mfalila(Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank Beijing)
- Sally Hutton (Managing Partner at Webber Wentzel)
Marija is also an accomplished public speaker and inspires and motivates
audiences at many seminars and conferences. She is also a member of PSASA
(Professional Speaker’s Association of Southern Africa.) and IFFPS (the
International Federation for Professional Speakers).
Marija enjoys contributing to community projects and has experience in using
drama as a form of therapy and expression with adults living with physical and
mental disabilities.
She trained as a Life Coach with internationally acclaimed life coach and
author, Martha Beck and Master Life Coach, Judy Klipin. She is a qualified
Spiritual Director and has studied spirituality through the Jesuit Institute in
Johannesburg.
Meet the team
Dr Maggie Tshule
Dr. Maggie Mapaseka Tshule has a PhD in Linguistics; MEd (Psychology); BA (Speech & Hearing) Therapy from the University of the Witwatersrand. She is a Speech and Language Therapist in private practice. Maggie has been facilitating training programmes for Accents for the last 15 years. She specializes in working with people who struggle in the following areas:
Physiological Vocal Problems
Stuttering
Language Disfluency
Pronunciation
Email: info@accents.co.za
Sven Ruygrok
Sven Ruygrok is an international actor, motivational speaker and life coach.
He is dedicated to reflecting what it means to be human through
storytelling, performance, and coaching.
Sven is an outstanding voice coach and facilitator and is particularly skilled
at working with young professionals.
Accent Acquisition (for actors & performers)
Voice & Public Speaking
Building Self-Confidence
Public Speaking
For more information: https://www.svenruygrok.com
Email: sven@accents.co.za
Caroline Gosling
Caroline Gosling has a BA (Drama Art) Hons from Wits University and has
facilitated workshops and training in the corporate environment for over 25
years. She has a particular passion for Diversity Training and explores
cultural diversity with a focus on racial reconciliation.
Her specialities include:
Diversity Training
Customer Service
Negotiation Skills
Email: carriegosling@gmail.com
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