CELEBRATING SERVANT LEADERSHIP |
2011 LEADERS FOR LEADERSHIP DINNER
SAWIP’s Dinner, this year, as in the past, brought together recognized, esteemed leaders from many disciplines and SAWIP’s emerging leaders in an atmosphere both celebratory and serious.
Such an opportunity was only made possible because of the generosity of both the VIP leaders who shared their experiences, their knowledge and their insights, and our other guests, those top organizations and individuals who attended and made financial contributions.
 
Our 2011 esteemed leaders were: HE Dr Nicola Brewer, British High Commissioner; HE Don Gips, Ambassador of the USA; HE Brendan McMahon, Ambassador or Ireland; Mr Fadl Nacerodien, Chief Director Policy, Research & Analysis, DIRCO; Fee Halsted, Founder, Ardmore Ceramics; Michelle Constant, CEO BASA; Jane Evans, Founder CEO Ntataise; Simon Gear, Environmental Scientist; Anton Harber, Caxton Professor of Journalism & Media Studies, University of the Witwatersrand; Michael Jordaan, CEO First National Bank; Advocate Thuli Madonsela, Public Protector of SA; Grace Mathlape, CEO Love Life; Moeletsi Mbeki, Political Analyist and Author; Max Price, VC University of Cape Town; Tamzin Ractliffe, Founder & Exec Trustee Greater Good SA and Founder CEO NeXii; Thero Setiloane, CEO BLSA; Jonny Steinberg, Sociologist and Author; Bheki Sibiya, CE Chamber of Mines; Anthony Turton, Prof UFS and SA Environmentalist of the Year 2010; Pretty Yende, celebrated soprano.
We were honoured to host Zindzi Mandela who was a guest of Theresa Oakley-Smith, the mother of a SAWIP 2011 Intern.
Award winning Ardmore Ceramics, on loan, adorned the tables and helped create an artistic, understated environment, uniquely South African, and donated wines from the estates of Ken Forrester and Hartenberg added to the quality of the occasion.
 
The Mzanzi Youth Choir entertained guests before the formal proceedings setting the tone and the focus - passion, energy, excellence, celebration and leadership in a uniquely South African style.
Masana Mulaudzi (SAWIP Alum 2010) managed the evening, as MC, professionally and with flair.
After the SAWIP Alumni had introduced themselves and the esteemed leaders at their tables, guests, alumni, VIPs, leaders and guests got down to conversations relevant to their fields, challenges within those sectors, the role of leadership in realizing the positive future for South Africa that we all desire and much besides.
 
When Advocate Thuli Madonsela, our Public Protector, took up her place at the podium to begin her address as our guest speaker absolute silence prevailed - an unequivocal indication of the profound respect our guests hold for this woman of integrity and courage.
For her, servant leadership is expressed by not putting oneself ahead of the group but by building a purposeful team from within the group.
She reflected on the lesson she had learned as a young leader - A leader is not someone who labels him/herself as a leader but is rather someone who can look back and see followers.
She also spoke of the characteristics that are the foundation of her team’s work. These included:
She commended SAWIP for its approach to and work in leadership development as well as the alumni who have taken up the challenge of leading and service for social change and improvement.
Guests stayed on for coffee/tea and chocolates and further discussion and networking. Many new connections were made!
Some feedback received from guests provides insight into the inspiring and fun evening that this year’s Leaders for Leadership Dinner afforded:
Thank you so much for such a wonderful evening last night. I found it humbling, listening and talking to your young Interns. Michelle Constant I was blown away by the evening and came away raving to everyone. The future of our country is in good hands if these young leaders take up their responsibilities and actively participate . I was highly impressed . Fee Halsted |
“I was deeply impressed by the quality of your alumni. I was also surprised at the quality of the thought that had gone into the overall planning. This was not just another dinner. The guests were really made to feel special and the quality of the overall entity was evident…… I am more than happy to support this type of initiative because it stands out like a beacon of excellence………..”
People hung on her every word as she identified and reflected on how her team at the offices of the Public Protector work tirelessly, as servant leaders, to fulfill their mandate.
