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Official Endorsements Congratulations on SAWIP! It is a fantastic idea to expose young South Africans to the world. I wholly endorse it and wish you all the best to make it grow bigger and stronger. As Honorary Chair of the South African Washington Internship Program ("SAWIP") I am pleased to support the work of this organization as it seeks to prepare the future leaders of South Africa and create a new and positive link between an emerging democratic South Africa and the United States. ‘The initiative taken by a group of young people to set up this programme (SAWIP) is worthy of the greatest support. Inter-action between people with different backgrounds and political affiliations may help to remove the narrow parochialism which often blights the landscape. The link between the oldest democracy with one of the world’s exciting young democracies can only lead to greater understanding.’ ‘The purpose of SAWIP, in encouraging an ethos of community service amongst young South Africans, is welcome….SAWIP undertakes to provide leadership training to university students who are committed to active citizenship and willing to commit time to growing a stronger South Africa.’ Alumni "SAWIP is about leadership and skills development, peace and conflict and a space for excellent individuals and groups to grow and form relationships and bonds that transcend colour, race, religion, ethnicity and cultural backgrounds. …. It is not a gift but a privilege that is worked for and granted on the conditions of continued involvement and interaction." (Jean Scrimgeour - SAWIP Report 2008) “Working in Congressman Paynes’ office (sub-committee for Africa) was a blessing on its own, from the first day I arrived at the office to my final lunch with the whole office I felt that I was treated with love and respect. I wanted to serve where I was required from an administrative level but also to engage policy and have an input where the American perspective towards my continent was flawed and uninformed and I got the opportunity to do all this.” (Thamsanqha Ledwaba - 2008) "As one who is pivotally concerned with using law to promote equality and foster social justice, the entire opportunity was a phenomenal learning experience……The internship allowed me to work with people that are dedicated to pursuing social goals, for the respect of liberties and upholding their constitution.’" (Vuyolwethu Goni - 2008) ‘Sure, SAWIP would look good on my CV. But that is not the point! Rather, it’s about helping to grow something more important than me, more important than all of us.’ (Mzimkhulu Ceko - 2007) “It is now clear to me that SAWIP is on fire, and that it has ignited a small flame of change in the hearts of 26 young Northern Irish students, a flame that hopefully we as individuals and as a partnership of nations, can fan into a bush fire, and it is up to us to ensure that that flame is never extinguished.” (Matthew Thompson - WIP 2008
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