“Leaders we admire do not place themselves at the center, they place others there. They do not seek the attention of people, they give it to us.” James Kouzes

In a small town, surrounded by mountains, populated by a people who call themselves “Coloured”. I have found many such leaders…

“Coloured” a term given to a sector of the population that is neither black nor white. The Apartheid governments race classification, grouped together people of Khoi and San descent, people of Malay descent and people of mixed descent. I am what is commonly referred to as a Cape Malay coloured… it is neither offensive nor derogatory…

In 1997, a 12 year old girl goes missing out this town. Within two days, without the assistance of parents or teachers, grade 5b, the class of which this girl is a member, organises a march for the safe return of there friend.
434 people attended.

This is leadership…

A Mother gives up her career to raise her child. In the eyes of those from “better” communities, it might be frowned upon or seen as unnecessary. But in a community where gangsterism , drugs and teenage pregnancy is rife. It seems like the biggest sacrifice.

This is Leadership…

A teacher, with a class of fifty-two students, in their final year of high school avails herself for private tuition for every single member of that class. This teacher has her own family and her own life. yet for a few short months she made great sacrifices to ensure that these students rise above there circumstances and make something of their lives.
Not one of the 52 students failed that year.

This is Leadership…

These are but a few exmaples of how normal people, with very little money, no political aspirations, and nothing to gain, showed what true leadership is.

Usually when we think of leadership, we think of those at the forefront of political parties. our mayors and premiers , and presidents.

Yet it is those forgotten few. Those who sometimes don’t receive recognition for actions , who make up my definition of leadership.

My country has recently come under extensive criticism, both inside and outside, for what seems to be a lack of moral leadership. People have suggested we look to the likes of Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, Malcolm X, Steve Biko and Martin Luther King. And draw out of these great Leaders some moral substance…

Even though these leaders are great rolemodels. There exists a Biko in that grade 5b class. A King in my very own mother, and a Mandela in my grade 12 English teacher.

In each and every member of my family, in each and every member of my community, in each and every member of the SAWIP team, there exists the potential to be great leaders. And it doesnt have to be as a President of a country , a congressman or a mayor. It is simply by caring enough for others and wanting to make a difference in there lives.

This is what motivated the likes of Mandela and King, and this is also what motivated my mother, that grade 5b class, and my English teacher.

My country, is not devoid of moral leadership, in fact it rings from every valley and every town. From every Hamlet and Every City. From every Home and every School. It is in fact ordinary people who make my country great, and it is because of the sacrifices of ordinary people that im standing here today…

The anticiapation which filled me in the days leading up to the congressional forum was paralysing.
Writing the speech, preping with my fellow sawipers and shutting myself in my room for hours, to make sure I get it just right, could not erase the nauseating feeling at the pit of my stomach, that constatly threatened to overwhelm me.

The response that I received to my speech, was both overwhelming and humbling. Never could I have immagined that “my story” might move people they way it did last night. As a simple girl, with a simple life, from a simple town, it was completely overwhelming…

The speeches by my fellow sawipers was also amazing…all of four, resonated powerfully with me, and made me realise just how prosperous our country is with specific regards to young leaders…

The initiative Ziyanda , my fellow sawip comrade, took in inviting our Irish counterparts on Facebook has escalated into an array of new friend requests sent and recieved. It is so amazing to be able to communicate with them and I have found myself spending hours just looking for more WIPers.

The conversations I have had with a few of them has been amazing. To see that they are as excited as we are about the upcoming summer, has risen my excitement to a  greater degree. Many of them are still writing there exams… and its good to know that they (just like us) are trying to balance our excitement and preparation with the stressful time , that is exams….

The wonderful network (that is Facebook)… has been significant in allowing us to engage even before the actual summer in DC begins!

ALL HAIL TO FACEBOOK…

The meeting with the Irish Ambassador was really amazing. I was blown away by the Hospitality shown by both the Ambassador and his wife. I immediately felt at home in their house, which was super!

It’s always great to engage with foreigners about South Africa, it gives one an holistic perspective, and allows one to see things we would not have necessarily seen because of our emotional attachment to our country.

To learn about Ireland, and its history was also really amazing. This meeting has made me sooo much more amped to meet our Irish counterparts, and learn and interact with them. Specifically because of the great similarities between our countries!!

The task of having to decide which community service I’d embark on was something which was not difficult for me. I knew immediately that I would choose something in my home town : my community. It was exactly what I would do that posed the bigger problem.
I decided to get involve with Two Ocean Youth development. It is an umbrella organisation that has many facets, stretching from a Brass band , to a klopse, to a netball and soccer team. Initially I was not sure where the Chairman of this organisation would place me, because I had no musical talent, no experience with klopse , and Im not the greatest soccer or netball player. Luckily for me, a tournament was coming up and the club needed to get both its guys and girls ready for it.
This was where I played a role. The coaches of both teams work during the day, and because it was school holidays, the chairperson felt that I would be best needed in preparing these kids for the tournament.
Day in and day out, for the entire week, we would jog to Kommetjie beach, followed by a fitness training session. This experience was sooo enjoyable , even though I did not know what I was doing half of the time. The week culminated in a four day Tournament, in which I played referee and score keeper.
Unfortunately I could not partake in the final day of the tournament because I needed to get back to campus, but I was so proud to find out that they had made it to the finals and were the runners up.

The experience as a whole was fulfilling, and I sincerely enjoyed giving back and playing a role in the lives of kids who are no different than I was at that age…