Upon my arrival in Cape Town my friends and family have been asking me about my best experience during my time in Washington. The SAWIP Congressional Forum stands out for me as my best experience. I was deeply moved by the sincere stories of our five speaks; Gillion, Melvyn, Rikus, Masana and Khaya. They not only proudly represented the SAWIP team of 2010 but South Africa at large.

The Congressional Forum does not stand in isolation as a single experience but is part of the “learning journey” that I have been privileged to be a part of. The SAWIP experience has provided me an opportunity to interact closely with extraordinary young leaders.

Gillion has taught me about the importance of networking in order to create global partnerships. I have learnt that there is no need to limit your potential because of your age, race or citizenship. I applaud his passion for developing the youth in the periphery of our society.

Tara made me realize that the arts require people with business insight in order to make them profitable and to create a livelihood for artists. Her passion for the arts is inspiring.

Lungelo taught me it is possible to maintain an athletic body through innovative techniques such as rowing. Lu challenged me to learn from the stories of ordinary people through conversations.

Melvyn gave me insight into the identity of the “new South African”. The new South African recognizes his rich heritage of Uganda but embraces the symbols and people of South Africa.

Banele and Nomfundo taught me that laughter, enthusiasm and smiling are essential ingredients to creating harmony within a team. Banele made me realize it is possible to be dynamic and be passionate about a vast array of interests and still pursue them with excellence. Nomfundo taught me the value of conveying complex idea’s in a simple way through her amazing writing and oratory.

Sabeeha taught me it is important to embrace your culture without necessarily imposing your values upon others. I learnt that tolerance and assertiveness are not mutually exclusive.

Bryony further entrenched the value and importance of honest and open relationships. She made me realize that frank and honest conversations add value to friendships.
Khanya has inspired me to wipe the dust of the Black Book. I learnt that we are not products of our circumstances but that we are responsible for our own destiny.

Masana made me realize that in order to wholestically contribute to the Africa we must not only know her but feel her too. The challenge for me is to understand how to feel her because I feel I’m still looking at the continent through a glass.

Rikus taught me that Afrikaners are not only legitimate citizens of South Africa but also fellow Africans. I learned it is important to recognize the past but not to allow it to determine your character.

Sibs taught me that entrepreneurship can play a pivotal role in the economic development of Africa. I also learnt about the importance of developing and maintaining an entrepreneur’s network with entrepreneurs from all over the world.

These lessons through my journey with the SAWIP team will serve me well in my future. I look forward to continue learning and developing quality friendships.

It has been a 13 days since the SAWIP team have arrived in Washington D.C. My host family has warmly welcomed me into their home. I have two host brother’s named Ian (13) and Elliot (18). They live in a beautiful home in Bethesda. I would like to share a conversation I had with my host brother Elliot.
Sitting in the kitchen after a delightful lunch, Ian reminds Elliot that it’s his turn to clean up the kitchen. Brenda, my host mother, reminds Elliot to take out the trash (rubbish) in the evening. While Kent, my host father, instructs Elliot to teach me how to use the washing machine and the drier. This lead me to ask Elliot quietly; “Uhm, when does the cleaning lady come in?” Elliot responds with a confused look; “Err, what you mean?” “You know- the domestic worker-some work who is employed by your family to keep the house clean and do the laundry!”
“Does every family in South Africa have someone that comes to clean their homes, wash their clothes and do their gardens?” asks Elliot (my host brother), “Well, mostly-if they can afford to hire someone” I reply. “Why” he asks. I reply “Well because they would rather spend their time doing something else instead of chores around the house -plus I think it creates employment for a significant number of South Africans”.
He immediately responds “That is just lazy!” I hastily defend my family by saying “At my home we do not have a domestic worker.”(Unfortunately for my siblings and I). I was tempted to ask” What about the employment it creates” but instead I let him continue; “Dude, it’s only like the really, really rich, old school people that have butlers and cleaners otherwise people have someone come over once a week or so”. He adds; “I have to cut the grass, my mom does the flowers and stuff but some families do have people to cut the grass and clean the yard.”
I have had many other warm conversations with my host family this week and look forward to our continued cultural exchange. I have appreciate their open-mindedness and their willingness to share their home and lives with me.