It all began it March 2009 when I decided to apply to the South Africa Washington Internship program (SAWIP), a 6 month program for service and leadership.

Having identified my true passion for serving the community, SAWIP endorsed me as one of them. One of the key aspects of the program is an internship in an institution that complements one‘s career choice. It came to pass that in June we left for Washington D.C. for six weeks to do our internships as well as get an incredible exposure as young leaders of a total of 12. My internship was at the World Bank Group, under the Internal Communications Division.
It was an awesome experience to be Washington. It is a place of highly educated people in the world, and it is home to many political and historical institutions of the United States. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to go to specially organised meet-
ings in these various institutions, such as the White House, Capitol Hill, IDASA, SA embassy, UN (New York), IMF, World Bank, etc. Well, I was an employee at the Bank, given the task to research various topics using primarily the latest publications of the Bank. This was of great benefit to me as an aspiring developmentalist.
However, through the many meetings we had about the challenges in Africa, it became clear to me that we have an incredibly wealthy continent that needs leaders. Furthermore, it was in these meetings that we were addressed as the leaders of South Africa, and that was great responsibility. It humbled me, as a young man from Soweto, in an extended degree program, studying using the NFSAS loan, to be elevated to a position of trust as a servant of the people. It positively changed my attitude towards myself, my academics, (whereby I settled for mediocre marks), and my country.
It made me realise that a leader is not just some-one who sees ideals and just shouts about them, but one who actually takes strategic action to make manifest his vision. Indeed my name was elevated as one of a leader, but the true challenge is meeting the greatness of my name with a great
character, and character is built through the process of living up to what you speak- a pattern which we lack in most of our leaders.
Upon my return I have become more active to see change in our society, and interestingly I did not come back seeking a ―leadership position‖ to lead. I am working on a program that seeks to alleviate the tragedy of high academic exclusion rates, especially within the extended degree programs. I have recently received support from well respected Dr Mamphele Ramphele and Prof. Max Prize.
Big change started from such small things. I love my people of Africa, of all races and backgrounds, and this is my reason. May that always humble me, but most importantly cause me to remain truthful and full of integ-rity.
From Soweto to the World Bank is a prophetic metaphor to all who make up their minds to do something about the dreams they profess to have. I am an example.