We search for them, but we never find them. We look for them, but we never see them. We hear them, but we never listen to them. They are everywhere around us, only if we stopped to realize them. They come not in fancy suits and big ties, they come not in shiny, pointy shoes and swanky cufflinks.

They come with simple messages that are so subtle that we can pass them easily, they make us realize that in order to lead, you need to lead where you are, they do not wait for moments to come, they make the moments to come to them. To them, their biggest dreams is to make other people’s biggest dreams come true. They understand the truth to be something that should be upheld, and allow it be transform overtime when appropriate or necessary, for that is the only way to develop and grow.

They understand leadership as servanthood. They touch us so we can touch others. They have taught me to lead from the front as well as behind. They have taught me to catch our team members doing it right, and constructively having inputs when there are any of us, including oneself, when we need deposits. Now that we are nearing the end of our tour in Washington, it is the beginning of new duties for us back in South Africa.

I am more committed to my duties back home because both of my heroes are there, both of them are leaders in their respective rights, both of them have stories to tell that I sit down and listen to earnestly, because these stories, have helped me to remain strong-headed in the U.S. and know that nothing really makes me African other than my primary allegiance to the richest yet poorest continent of the world. Having said this, I also fully embrace my citizenship to the world and continue to serve the poor in all regions of the earth, including in America.

These two heroes of mine, are Nelson Mandela and John Scrimgeour. You can find one on google, but the other is written in the hearts of all the SAWIPERS.

I love you South Africa.