Much to my dismay the SAWIP team of 2012 graduates today. It feels like just the other day that we were all dolled up, ready to go to orientation camp, ever so excited about the journey ahead. I am most grateful. I have often written blogs expressing my gratitude to the stakeholders of SAWIP for the great contribution that they have made in our lives but I have seldom given thanks to the people who made this experience a truly remarkable one; the SAWIP 2012 team.

Coming from a fairly disintegrated family I am very familiar with the statement, “Where there is no friction there is no movement”. This was an expression that was used whenever conflict arose and people needed to justify their inability to control their emotions, “Where there is no friction, there is no movement”. Naturally, as kids, we grew up believing that it was absolutely necessary to fight in order for us to know that we were growing closer as siblings. You see, I do not deal very well with conflict, I never have, and I hope I never do. I am an intrinsically peaceful person; my soul pants after peace, just as the deer pants for the water brooks. Given the choice between keeping quite and laughing, I always choose to laugh. Given the choice between sitting and dancing, I always choose to dance. Given the choice between unrest and peace, I always choose peace. Thank you SAWIP 2012 for giving me the most valuable elements on earth- peace, laughter, love and music to dance. Together, we dismissed this distorted notion about forming relationships, we learnt to always focus on the main thing, and that is living lives that would be of value to others. We learnt to disagree in a constructive manner, we proved that movement does not have to mean that there must be friction, and we learnt that our differences do not have to push us apart.

I love each and every single one of you and I hope that this is not the end, I hope that we will continue to live our live together, sharing epic moments, laughing because nothing provides better healing. 

The Intelligent Moemish (Phiwe and Kwadwo) 

Moemish is a bit of a colloquial term used to describe silly moments or actions. Many have been tempted to describe such moments or actions as stupid or foolish, but I completely disagree, because I can tell you now that there was absolutely nothing stupid or foolish about the moemishes in SAWIP. This is to the two guys who made my SAWIP experience an exceedingly fun one. Of course, I was always at the center of the moemish cadre and will probably walk away with the moemish award at the end of it all, but nonetheless, I would like to formally thank Phiwe and Kwadwo for making sure that I received my daily dose of laughter at every single corner of the SAWIP experience. Everyone knew that with you (us) around, there would never be a dull moment. I truly value you.

Phiwe, thank you for willingly taking the role of a big brother in my life, I spent much of my SAWIP experience with you; moaning about life, trying to get a green card in DC, eating my food with you, laughing at Kwadwo in secret, laughing at life’s great sense of humor. You are an incredible individual and a true embodiment of Ubuntu.

Kwadwo, we shared many heart-felt discussions, dreaming about the future, conceptualizing our emotions, encouraging one another. Ironically, we spent even more time laughing at ourselves and dancing up a storm at those SAWIP receptions. You are an incredibly bright young man- I have often marveled at your immense sense of wisdom and knowledge. You inspire me to reach for the stars.

The movers and the Shakers (Kgosti and Carel)

I am pretty sure that most people understand that apart from not submitting our blogs on time, and not always being punctual, there was nothing mediocre about the SAWIP team. Whatever we did, we did with utmost dedication and excellence, even if it was just finishing up a bottle of wine; we made sure that every drop was put to good use. This is obviously no surprise because we had these two in our group. Kgotsi and Carel, thank you so much for stretching us as a team, thank you for always teaching us to think far beyond the ordinary and never to limit ourselves. You remain two very brilliant people in my life.

Carel, we may not have spent a lot of time together but I learnt so much from you. Your ability to take any random idea an flip it upside down, turn it inside out and tear it apart has always been a source of fascination for me. You taught me to really stretch my imagination, because ‘anything is possible'. Thank you.

Kgosti, I enjoyed being in the same group as you. We shared many mundane moments, talking about the mundane parts of life, and yet, it was always an honor to watch you dissect our ideologies and push us to move beyond the boundaries in our thinking. You are a star.

The gurus (Alli, Makhosazana and Edy)

Perhaps my biggest issue in this team was not that I was such a moemish, but rather the fact that I was surrounded by such superlative women all the time. You ladies really put me to shame with your all encompassing knowledge (lol). I am honored to have been counted amongst you. Thank you for always providing the facts and figures, sharing your wisdom and offering your talents. Above all, thank you for providing that sisterly love and kindness.

Alli, you have been a remarkable friend to me and I will forever be grateful to SAWIP for bringing us together. Our friendship has gone beyond the numerous sushi sagas in DC and I value you so much. Apart from teaching us to take more interest in history and to always be accurate, thank you for being the voice of the team. You helped us (especially me) speak our minds.

Ma-kho-sa-za-na, ‘with five syllables’, as you know, we as a team are in awe of you. You have accomplished so much at such a young age and you continue to serve as an inspiration to all those around you. Thank you for the good times spent exploring DC (in an organized manner). You helped me learn how to use maps, plan my day, and map out my route before actually leaving the house. You will always be dear to me.

Edy, I still have not figured out where you store all that knowledge, you literally came into my life and became that girl who knew something about EVERYTHING. You are incredibly smart and I have loved getting to know you. Thank you for the many ‘gossip’ sessions we had ranting about our ‘high school’ friend drama and just being typical girls. Your spirit sparkles with love and acceptence.

The SAWagers (Daniel and Zola)

SAWag is a term that was coined by the 2012 team in order to conceptualize what the team stood for- a group of young people who were passionate about bringing change to their country, dedicated to expressing love and hope to their fellow mankind and not afraid to tackle any challenges put before them. Most important to this meaning, however, is the fact that these young people oozed a sense of charm and personality. They were the epitome of ‘cool’, as well as role models in their community. Zola and Daniel were most pertinent to this term. All you need to need is to check out our pictures and you will see who shines the most in this team. Day in, day out, Zola and Daniel dripped with SAWag, striking poses like no other, but most importantly, caring like no other.

Daniel, you are such a cool human being! You do not even have to try, it just comes naturally. You proved to us that ‘white’ boys can dance and your humility brought us all together. Thank you for reminding us all to live. Thank you for being a teacher in our country, you are a glimmer of hope to those who have given up in our education system.

Zola, you dress well and represent SAWIP well J, but the thing that shines brighter than your clothes is your heart. Your sense if empathy is what kept our group on the ground all the time. Without sounding cliché, you capture the heart of 'our people'. In every circumstance, you always looked for the answer that was best for the many who would never be afforded the privileges that we were. Keep shining boet, just like the stars across the sky.

The whips (Saif and Thami)

As a team, we were perhaps a bit too social, needless to say that in most cases we needed Saif and Thami to keep us in order. From being punctual to getting the community service off the ground, typing out reports, and communicating with one another, thank you so much for always pushing us to do our bests.

Saif, I grew rather fond of you during our SAWIP experience. You are a remarkable individual with enormous potential. Thank you for standing as a leader in our group. Thank you for never shying away from responsibility and for always being sensible. You stay true to your beliefs and I respect you for that. 

 Thami, you are a great leader because you expect nothing less than excellent from yourself. From you, we learnt to do things properly and in a timely fashion. You taught us to be professional at all times, never to give up, and to give our all. Thank you.

The anchor (Parveen)

Parveen, the most interesting individual in the group. Famous for her outstanding entrepreneurial skills as well as her inimitable sense of expression, Parveen kept us well entertained all the time. 

 

 

Parveen, Thank you for helping us stay grounded. Your loyalty and maturity is what kept us glued us together. I have so much respect for you because of this. You have a beautiful heart and I look forward to spending more years getting to know you and learning from you.

The guys who 'contributed more than words can ever explain' (Shannon and Jason)

Whilst it would seem that I 'forgot' to pay tribute to your exceptional presence in my life as well as this team in general, I will have you know that the impact you made was certainly long lasting and unforgettable. You are both very strong individuals. Thank you for always helping us remain calm and for always exuding such peach and love at all times.

Shannon, you have such an incredible story and resilient nature. You taught me to always stay strong and never to give up on my dreams. Wherever I go, I will always be reminded of your strength and character. Thank you.

Jason, I would obviously be lying if I said that I have ever met a guy as sweet as you. You are a true gentleman Thank you for always being willing to lend an ear. Yes, you treated me like a teddy bear :) but that was part of the deal. I am going to miss you so, so much.

 

Where there is no friction, there can be love, acceptance, growth and joy.

Thank you SAWIP 2012, you hold a very special place in my heart.

 

   

                 

 

    

It has been some seven weeks since the SAWIP team came back from Washington DC. Like most, I have found the experience of being back home to be a rather trying one indeed. It started during that last weak in DC as I came to the realization that my DC experience was coming to an end, and that I would soon be heading back to my ‘old reality’. On our way back a group of us got together in the plane, truly shaken, not only by the magnitude of the experience, but also by the uncertainty that lay ahead; how were going to deal with our lives back home considering the metamorphosis that we had undergone. I have often explained the feeling using a simple analogy that randomly came to mind during one of those low-spirited days I spent trying to ‘figure myself out’, the experience felt something like, leaving South Africa a circle and coming back a square, and yet still being expected to fit into the circle. Many of our perspectives had changed, our horizons were broadened, our beliefs challenged, and our understanding of the world expanded.  For a whole week I found myself searching for a new ‘normal’, a different way of living, a different reality. I needed to find a way to incorporate this ‘new me’ into my old routine and skillfully put the lessons learn thus far into practice. Needless to say that the sudden shift from the lifestyle we lead in DC- the hectic schedule, the heat, the different culture, the networking- to the lifestyle back home was also quite unsettling. I felt like an outsider in my own world.

These muddled emotions soon became a frustration; it is not easy to move from a place where you constantly felt like you are at the brink of changing the world to a place where you are one of 27 000 students trying to make a difference in what ever small way you think fit. Making the transition from discussing global issues to actually having to actively be the change agent was not easy. I felt like I was back on the ground again, grappling with the issues head on. I was back in a place where poverty was no longer just a discussion point, but a reality, where the issue of holding the government accountable was no longer just a concern, but a need that I felt had to address. There was something about the experience that was so valuable and life-changing, only, it felt like I was the only one who was aware of the change and growth that had taken place. It is not easy to convince someone of a change that is intangible, I found that people continued to treat and view me as, what I now call the ‘old me’.  In such a case the only hope you have is that in time, the growth that you have experienced will soon manifest.

Seven weeks later, I am still dealing with the change and I am still trying to verify my place in this community. One of the SAWIP alumnus, Mangaka, put it well in one of our extended conversations about the post-DC experience, she said, ‘Make sure you protect the knowledge that you gained’. I found these words comforting as they expressed a fear that I had but had not been able to articulate for some time. My disgruntlement during that final week in DC was not caused by the desire to stay in DC forever, but rather by the fear that the lessons I had gained would soon fade away as I got back into the system and my old routine. It was caused by the fear that once I got back into the swing of things I would start having the same conversations I had before I left. I was worried that I would soon lose the ‘fierce urgency of now’ that I sensed while I was in DC and I desperately needed to hold on tightly to the experience that I had. Have I managed to maintain the same level of optimism seven weeks after our arrival? I believe in some ways I have, I just hope that my actions will bear notable fruit in due time.

 

Ngiyanibingelela nonke zihlobo ezihloniphekileyo (I greet you all, honorable guests).

My name is Nondumiso Phenyane and I would like to start off by saying it is a true honor to stand before you this evening. My presence in this in this program and in this room speaking before you is in fact not just an honor, but a true miracle to me.  Who would have thought that a girl like me- raised with pension money and profits made from selling cabbages - would be standing here delivering a speech in such a prestigious venue in the midst of such greatness. I will have you know that I am indisputably taken aback.

I am standing before you today because I made it into SAWIP.  Goint into SAWIP, my intentions were very clear; I was aware of the challenges that we were facing as South Africans- I grew up in a township and was bread under the shadow of crime.  As a matter of fact, in my SAWIP application I mentioned that crime was so prominent in my community that my younger sisters and I would often make jokes about how “we lived with hardcore criminals.” Just a block away from our house lived the guy who murdered his own mother; just two houses away was the one whose core specialty was stealing cars. We would make these jokes, not because we thought that what was happening was ok, but because we needed to find a sense of humor in a somewhat hopeless situation.

My mother died of AIDs when I was 13. Having watched her closely, I know the cruelty of HIV & AIDS when unmanaged- how it can strip you of your very soul and leave you without a life at all. Last year, my two younger sisters literally watched our older sister also die of AIDS. As you can imagine, dealing with this incident was not very easy for my family. I tell you these things to show you that South African struggles for me were not a phenomenon that I watched from a distance, they were very close to my heart.  And so coming into SAWIP was not merely about having great discussions, coming to DC or meeting all of these incredible people.  It was about discovering how these problems could be addressed.  I did not go into the program seeking a better reality for myself, but rather with one key question in my mind: HOW can we address these challenges?

I needed to start the journey towards finding out how I was going to light the candles of the many young men I left back home with blood-shot eyes because of the drugs they were consuming. I needed to know how my contribution would help young girls realize that their sole happiness did not lie in a man; that just because they had babies on their laps did not mean that the world had come to an end. I needed to see change but most importantly, I needed to see where I could fit into that change.

 It must have been two months into the program, while in South Africa, that I began to feel I was slowly unlocking the intangible doors to this unrequited question, and it was me realizing my own strengths. I realised that I could be the most talented, most powerful, most reputable person in the world; the whole world could hail my greatness.  But if I, myself, didn’t discover it for myself, if I did not believe it for myself, than it would all be in vain. I found myself experiencing an uplifting because of this like most young people in South Africa, I did not grow up in an invironment that nurtured my strengths. SAWIP showed me that sure, I needed a lot of work but more important than this, it showed me that I was good enough!  It showed me that I AM capable and that I possess something that could potentially change the world.  I have discovered that when we know our strength we become invincible; we become fearless, and because of this, we are better able to change the world.  I truly believe that anyone who becomes anything less than great does so because they have not discovered who they truly are.

Beyond the mighty legends who believed that the unrealistic was realistic during a time when the impossible was a way of life, I am also inspired by the ‘ordinary’ individuals who work untiringly to ensure peace and stability in our communities. The mothers who single-handedly raise sons and daughters, the grandmothers who raise grandchildren, the teachers who educate future generations. They prove to us that ‘ordinary’ people are capable of doing extraordinary things. And it is because of them that I believe that we can achieve greater peace, stability, and equality.   We can achieve a better Africa.

I know the strength of the African people; I saw it in my grandmother’s eyes as she picked up the hoe and made her way to the fields everyday so that we could have food every evening. I saw it on her brittle hands as she picked up the axe to sever the wood so we could keep warm. It lay somewhere in between her neck and her chest as she cried “thula, thula, kuzolunga’ when life had thrown its bricks at us.

It lies somewhere between the Cape Agulhas and Ras ben Sakka, trickles down to the Horn of Africa and stretches out into the streets of Dakar, the capital of Senegal. It is indeed a marvellous energy, and it moves right across the land, unhindered.

It is my hope that my presence here will mean change in somebody’s life in my country. As our DC journey comes to an end, I hope that everyone who has contributed to our experience, will realize just how much of an impact they have had in our lives.

Ngiyabonga

 

 

                 

 

                                                                                                                      

 

 

One of the SAWIP requirements is that each of us blogs on a weekly basis, and I must admit, when we all started off, most entered the world of blogging with high levels of enthusiasm. Although some of us were a bit uncomfortable with the idea, we all seemed to embrace it with a readiness to learn. About a month into the program, it was no longer so and we knew it had gotten bad when we received that staggering email from management-  we were not blogging as often as we were supposed to.

It seems like an easy task, each week you simply sit down, gather your thoughts, reflect and put those sentiments on paper. However, as I have discovered writing is an art. It has to come from somewhere in order for it to be genuine. You need to feel that urge from the pit of your stomach and each world written must come straight from your belly. You cannot make assumptions and you cannot write from a place of mayhem. I do not suppose writing, in and of itself, is a challenge (this, of course is if you are literate), it is the “pulling together of the thoughts”, the "reflecting" and dealing with what is happening inside of you that is challenging. It is the viewing of your emotions on paper, the knowledge that someone else will read it that makes it somewhat trying. Nonetheless, it has been an incredible journey for all of us. I must commend my fellow SAWIPers for emerging victorious in this challenge.   

For most of us this must have been the most grueling afternoon of them all. Too many questions were asked and too many emotions surfaced after that formidable walk through the dark halls of the Holocaust museum. There, as we sat in that grim room, trying to digest what we had just seen, trying to make sense of what it mean to be human if humans were capable of such atrocities. The challenge was to continue believing that there was still good in humans. We had to deal with the supposed human inclination to do bad at times, even when given the choice to do good, and many of us found that we were in distress. Of course we wanted to believe that human beings were capable of doing good, of fighting evil and challenging inhumane regimes, but even so, we could not run away from the fact that even those who found themselves perpetrating such frightening deed were also human, just like us. To assume that we could have acted differently, or in a morally superior manner, was seemingly aloof, so in many ways, we left the topic hanging- the questions unanswered. We all knew that it was now our duty to carry out the human disposition that we believe to be true- to act morally and to care for our fellow mankind. It was our duty to dispute the notion that human beings are intrinsically evil, uncompassionate, and brutal. We would have to do this, through love and in love. 

   

It is true that SAWIP is built for the growth of its student, and by growth I mean growth in all its shapes and forms. I have watched myself expand; my perspective transformed, my character shaped and my future polished. I speak better, I compose myself better, I reason better.

It is also true that SAWIP was created to be a challenge, it is meant to push its students and stretch them to limits undefined. I can attest to the fact that SAWIP is no walk in the park. One is constantly being challenged to face the world and its people, to work to be part of the salutations to its problems, but most importantly, one is constantly being challenged to face the self.

I grew up under the azure skies of semi rural Mondlo in the beautiful land of Kwa-Zulu Natal, with a typical Zulu woman. Unsurprisingly, her rules were clear from the start; I was the child, she was the adult, I was young, she was old, I was wrong, she was right, and so, quite naturally I took the subordinate role in the house, my voice would never be heard and my opinion simply did not exist. I learnt then to be a follower.

As if this was not enough, my standing in the family was also not very clearly defined. The fact that I was the second child born out of wedlock meant that my mother would have a tough time deciding what she was going to do with me. She could not keep me, but she could not send me to my father either, so she took to my grandmother instead (and this, I find, is a common narrative amongst many black children in our country), all it meant was that even my parents would not be able to hear my voice.

Indeed, the SAWIP curriculum can be challenging- moving from destination to destination, conducting yourself in a professional work environment, contributing in every discussion, keeping up, staying ahead, reading, writing, networking- but I cannot explain to you just how much of a challenge it has been to rise above myself. They say we are our greatest critiques? Well I know this! I have experienced it, I have felt it and it has not always been easy, but the beauty of this is that I have been given the space to make this transition, the courage to step out, and the freedom to do so according to my own will.

I have learnt that I am intrinsically a leader, and as my grandmother so gaudily taught me, in order to be a good leader you must also be good follower. I know how to assert myself, but as my grandmother taught me, you cannot assert yourself reputably if you haven’t listened attentively. I am a hard worker, but as my grandmother taught me, you cannot work fruitfully, unless you work steadily. I am ambitious, but as my grandmother taught me, ambition is in vain if you do not care for people. Even as I grow in this process and am shaken on every side, I do learn to master these polarities and to rise above my own self       

Realizing the strength that South Africa holds has been most refreshing. This is certainly something that is difficult to experience while you are in the country. It is as Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool so simply put it at one of SAWIP’s recent events which was held at the Woodrow Wilson International Centre for Scholars as he painted a picture of a French educator who once told his learners that he thought that there was no building as ugly as the Eiffel tower. He then made a remark that this was where he ate his lunch everyday. Outraged his patriotic learners asked, “If you hate it so much then why do you eat your lunch there everyday?” The educator replied, “Because if I am in it, then I do not have to see it.” Ambassador Rasool went on to explain just how as South Africans we face this very same predicament, as we find ourselves trapped in the inner turmoil. Our vision is often blurred by the headlines of the day- the inefficient government, the poverty rate, the unemployment, the crime- and so we forget what we stand for.

 It was during a discussion when one of the SAWIP alumni, Erik de Ridder, shared this similar experience with us as he outlined his experience at the G8 and G20 Youth Summits. In fear of misquoting him, I shall steer away from going into depth about the details of this discussion, however, what I will tell you is that the general idea was that we as the young people of South Africa needed to realize the magnitude of the legacy which we have inherited- that it is one which our forefathers fought hard for. It is because they chose peace instead of violence, love instead of hatred, and courage instead of defeat, that the world looks to us when it comes to matters of reconciliation. It is because of this, that the world holds us in high regard. What we do with it is entirely up to us.

It has been an honor to represent such a nation;  one that stands firmly on what it believes in, one that has given freedom to its people, one whose fighting spirit lives on.

 

In answering the question, what do I think the role of the educated youth in South Africa is or should be in bringing transformation in Africa, I remembered Ken Blackwell’s words as he welcomed Senator Portman at one of the Faith and Freedom Coalition conferences; of course it was necessary for me to paraphrase his words, so as to put them into a more African context; in essence he says we, must have a great sense of what Marten Luther King called the ‘fierce urgency of now’. He says, we cannot sit on the sidelines and curse the darkness, we must in fact look for the better angels in our fellow Africans, and we must light candles so that we, together, as Africans, can punch holes in the darkness of our times.

After hearing these words, I asked myself, how many candles had I lit? How many holes had I punched in the darkness of our times?

I hope that we as the youth in our country will realize that we were born for a purpose much greater than the self.

 

 

It has been on numerous occasions that I have been able to reflect on my experience in SAWIP and I am delighted to inform you that it has been a mind-boggling, awe striking, spirit shaking experience, and that my heart is truly filled to the brim because of it. Watching myself undergo what our very own patron, Reverend Desmond Tutu, calls 'transfiguration' in his book "God has a dream" has been an experience that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

 

In applying for SAWIP many of us had DC in mind- in fact it is this aspect of the program that drives most applicants- not realizing how much of a 'full' experience SAWIP actually is. Naturally, even as I applied I did not realize that the South African program would be just as fruitful and as fulfilling as I am sure the Washington program as well as the community service will, if not perhaps even more. However, the South African program- in preparing me for DC- did something rather remarkable in me, something that to this day- as I sit at my desk in my new  home here in DC- I cannot fathom; I realized my own strength.

 

It would take for you to understand my entire life story for you completely understand what I mean by this, and since the blog is perhaps not the most conducive forum I will summaries it for you in three sentences; 1) I was not that child that many people had hopes in, 2) I come from a very downtrodden place in South Africa and 3) my experiences in life taught me very well that I would not sum up to anything in life. This should give a vague idea why me being in this program, with all these incredibly bright  young people, meeting some of the most accomplished individuals in South Africa and DC is not only jaw-dropping, it is a miracle. At some point in my life I did find myself in a shack in the dark streets of Inanda (Durban) staring at my dying mother. I did find myself sitting at home not studying because there was no money for me to go to school, I also distinctly remember that at some point during the SAWIP application process I was given the names of the many people who had made it for the SAWIP interview so as to be shown just how much of a little chance I stood in getting accepted. Hence even as I sit here all I can say is; thank you SAWIP for giving a chance to realize my own strength.

 

In one of her songs, the late Whitney Houston says, "I didn't know my own strength, and I crashed down, and I tumbled, but I did not crumble, I got through all the pain", although I cannot say that in my life I physically crushed, tumbled and crumbled, I can tell you that emotionally I did, countless times. It is for this reason that I now write this blog, to tell you- the people who spend sleepless nights working on this program, the people who sacrifice their time, effort and money to ensure that this program is available every year; the board members, the friends, the management team, the host families, the patrons and everybody who gives, in order to ensure that lives are changed- that you have outdone yourselves. I hope that you will live knowing that you have brought change and that your life is truly meaningful. It is for this reason that I know that South Africa will do just fine, that we are headed in the right direction and that God has not forgotten about us. Be blessed.

 

I may not have a complete understanding of what leadership is, but I do know that leadership is not about showing others just how strong you are, it is about helping others realize their own strengths- this is how we will change the world. Since I know how to track leadership in this manner; I know that leadership has taken place in SAWIP. I have realized my own strength.

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The observation of how something as sacrificial as community service almost always changes the life of the person who gives it more than is changes the life of the one who receives it has been rather ironic to me. This is why I can certainly say that God has a great sense of humor, because all that it  does is that it humbles the ‘haves’ and proves, ever so assuredly, that we can all learn something form one another. It indicates that although some may be richer, in the cosmic order of things, no one is better than the other; this, after several weeks of doing community service at the Red Cross Children’s Centre as part of the SAWIP curriculum. It became so evident to me that in ‘changing the lives of others’, our very own will be changed, and so for those of us who are in a mission to change the world, may we realize that the world too will change us, and for the love of the generations to come, may that be a good change.

A couple of lessons learnt, from the bright eyed little dears at the Red Cross Children Centre; no matter how painful, there will always be time to play. As a play volunteer at the hospital I had the privilege of helping facilitate the healing process by playing with the children. Yes, playing is part of the healing process; even for you Mr. /Mrs. ‘I’m too old and too busy for that nonsense’. During my time there, I was able to understand why this is. It is simple really, playing helps you forget- it shifts your focus from that which is uncertain, leaden and despairing, to that which is brighter, doable, and restoring. So then, next time life gets the better of you, grab that puzzle or soccer ball and go play, you will find that your healing will come much quicker than you anticipated.

Another lesson that I learnt here, which I found fairly startling, is that when you are trying to communicate with a two year old, who can barely stand, let alone speak or understand what you are saying, language no longer becomes an option (it was even worse in cases where we were unable to hold the children in fear of causing them further pain, as this eliminated another significant sense; physical touch). All we had then were the eyes. I realized why it was said that the eyes are the windows to the soul. It became evident to me that when all the other senses have been depleted, all you can do is to communicate using the eyes, and it was at this point that I became aware of the beauty of the human soul. The eyes have a way of revealing the truth about a person. Many a time, in seeking to read other peoples’ expressions, be it facial or physical, we forget to look into their eyes and therefore are unable to see where they are in life.We forget that a human being is not their sense of expression (this is a part of them that can be taken away at any given point), but a human being is the spirit that lives within. Now when I ask people how they are, and they tell me they are ‘fine’, because this seems to be the most socially used term these days, I try to look into their eyes to see what is truly going on.  

Although I cannot fully explain to you how much of an impact this community service has had on me, all I know is that I walked away a changed person. In all my community service, I try to help the other person see the light that shines inside of them, hence being able to 'change' their lives in which ever way possible. Yet in my experience at the hospital I did not at any point feel that I had changed the lives of the children in any significant way, however, I knew each time I went that they had changed mine.  I knew that I was stronger because I had looked into the eyes of conquerors.   

 

I was raised by 5 women, and so naturally, I had 5 mothers.' Feminism' (at that time), therefore, was not a choice, it was simply inevitable. To me, a woman was everything; she could live, love and be in the world, simply because she was fully capable and whole on her own. She did not need a man to define or validate her; she had strength that exceeded all my understanding and a heart the size of the Kariba. In her I found my sense being and reason to live, I found the gut and the strength to plough on and to leave my mark. Consequently, the presence of men in the world became altogether confusing to me. I simply did not understand their significance, and quite frankly I detested them. This of course, can be attributed to my personal inference that men had caused the women in my life nothing but misery. At twenty two, I continue to rewrite my stories about men; everyday I relearn my philosophies and I learn again, to love again.

In my questioning the co-existence of men and women and whether or not the relations between the two were meant to be what they have become- particularly in our country- I have also come to question my own beliefs about women empowerment in general. Of course this is a very controversial topic and one can argue it which ever way one wishes, depending on ones own beliefs and denotations of the word ‘empowerment’. Although empowerment in and of itself is inclusive of many facets, I am solely focused on the social and gender aspects of it.

I take issue with the notion that the problems we face in society concerning ‘gender’ and ‘power’ are due to a bunch of disempowered women. It is true that most women in our communities are not educated about their worth and personal rights, and perhaps that in itself is a form of ‘disempowerment’ (which I also contest because in order to ‘empower’ someone, you first have to assume that they are ‘powerless’, which is certainly not true about the women in our country, but that is a topic for another day).

What I am arguing here, is that if women are ‘disempowered’- therefore needing to be empowered- than men are equally ‘disempowered’ (if not more). Anyone who assumes power by disempowering another is essentially powerless (in my view), they have failed to earn respect and gain legitimate power and therefore resort to force. Equally so, anyone who takes pleasure in causing others pain is not only fundamentally ill, but also needs serious help.

Last year I lost my beloved sister due to AIDs, hers was the ‘common’ predicament of being in an abusive relationship with a man who simply did not value her enough to give her the love she deserved. I have not completely dealt with this loss, and have only recently made peace with the fact that a large part of what happened was a result of her not understanding the magnitude of her own worth, and in this regard, perhaps, she was ‘disempowered’. However, I often ask myself what would have happened if she had met an empowered man; one who loved himself enough to understand that loving others is but a gift to the self, one who knew that hurting others is a mere reflection of the hurt that we carry inside, and was wise enough to know that whoever finds a women, finds something good. What if she had found a man who realized that disempowering others only makes us weaker? A man, who was empowered enough to know that we are most powerful when we love? Would they have been happier together? Would she have born him a daughter or a son? Would she still be alive?

All I am saying is, both the woman who has allowed a man to mistreat her and the man who has mistreated a woman are equally disempowered, and in our quest to empower women, we have ignored men’s equal need to be empowered. Finally, to all the powerless men who take advantage of little girls and helpless women, may you be healed of all the hurts that you carry inside your hearts and to the three women whom I have lost due to this disarray; Thwasana (my mom), Nomcebo (sister), and Ntanga (aunt), may your beautiful souls rest in peace and know that I love you, always.

 

 

    

 

As a child of Africa, born of the African soil I know the strength of the African people; it lies somewhere between the Cape Agulhas and Ras ben Sakka, streams down to the Horn of Africa and stretches out into the streets of Dakar, the capital of Senagal. It is indeed a marvelous energy, and it moves right across the land, unhindered. Through all the confusion, the distorted ideologies and the incessant noise, I know one thing to be true, and that is, the African people will stand.

We stand against all pain, suffering, hunger and frustration. It is simply in our nature. We were not built to give up or give in, we were built to stand. I think we know this about ourselves. I see it in the way we put on our armor and fight wars which were not prepared for. I see it in the way we lift up our voices and sing a joyful song, even when our hearts have been torn apart. It is in the way we smile as we mend our wounded souls in the midst of turmoil.

Nevertheless, even with all our strength, color, and beauty, we still cower at the voices of the critics; those who tell us that we are not good enough, strong enough, rich enough, or equal enough. We let them define us and tell us who we are. We allow them to disparage us and dictate what we should focus on. Hastily we focus on these denotations, never questioning them because those who make them ‘know best’. Aren’t they more educated than us? Do they not hold more power than we do? I know that as Africans we are strong, but I also know that in us, is the tendency to demean the power that we hold simply because we lack understanding of who we are and what we stand for. We listen to the screeches of the critics more than we listen to the whispers of our own victories. I know this to be true because even my 14 year old brother knows that “if you want to see pictures of dying children you must go on the internet and search for Africa”.

We are focused on the wrong subjects and the danger of this is that what you focus one expands. In almost every medium available we are told just how poor, hopeless and underdeveloped we are; and so we focus on our poverty and hopelessness, then we wonder why it expands. I want to be part of the generation that will redefine this continent, no longer will we be known as the beggars and the miser, the continent of darkness, poverty and corruption. Instead we will be known for our fortune and splendor, we will rise above the storm and experience the warmth of the sun, we will be known for our strength and influence. Our land will produce strong and virtuous leaders who lead the people of Africa to prosperity. But first, we need to shift our focus.   

Lift up your eyes Africa, see yourself for the enchanting beauty that you are; the cradle of humankind, the rhythm of the world. Set your eyes on that which is good, noble, lovely, pure and honorable, and you will find that soon, you will be mounting up with wings like an eagle, your strength will be renewed and your wounds healed (Isaiah 40:30). Own your Africanism.

Mimi ni Africa na Africa ni mimi

(this is Swahili for, I am Africa, and Africa is me)  

:) Do take a moment to dance to this song. 

 

It was exactly a week ago when I, Nondumis Phenyane, along with my rather ardent fellow SAWIPers went on the much anticipated township tour. Of course, after having dealt with various stereotypes regarding ‘township tours’ and how these tend to lead to feelings of inferiority for community members, some of us did have mixed emotions about it. It has been said that township tours sometimes make people feel like animals in a zoo, as tourists gracefully drive through the streets taking pictures of every ‘unusual scene’ they can spot along the way. However, we soon learnt that this township tour was more than just a tool to help those of us who did not grow up in a setting such as this, satisfy our curiosities about ‘life in a township’. It was about growth, inspiration and awareness. I can, therefore, confidently say that it was by far one of the most remarkable experiences I have had yet, as we got the opportunity to interact with two of the most phenomenal women in our country, Mum Vivian and Mum Vicky. Women who are actively involved in transforming society at ground level and changing lives in the most incredible way. They taught me a very simple principle, and that is; your big break is not going to come from some distant opportunity, it will however, come from the circumstances that you are currently in.

There is much value in simplifying things, this is something that I have learnt in my many quests to ‘change the world’.  Do not complicate the notion of success- think, what can I do, right here, right now, with what I have, and you will be amazed at the opportunities that will come thereafter. If I were to summarize the lessons that these two women taught me in less than a day- through their community based initiatives- I would say: Give me a shack and I will turn it into a tourist attraction site, or give me a room and I will turn it into a children’s home.

 

The notion of simplicity is one that I take particular interest in, simply because I find that as academics we often try to complicate things, perhaps this is because we have been lead to think that complexity is closely associated with intelligence. I beg to differ; some of the most revolutionary inventions in the history of mankind have come through nothing more than a simple idea, which may have even seemed ridiculous at the time. Think about George Washington Carver, a simple man from Missouri who studied bacterial botany as well as agriculture and qualified as an agricultural chemist in 1892. What did he do? He took something as simple as a peanut seed and discovered approximately 300 ways in which one can use peanuts,  with peanut butter being the most popular one if them all of course- because we all know that the world would simply not be the same without good o’ peanut butter. Needless to say that he remains one of the most influential agricultural chemists to ever live.

 

It has become evident to me that simple ideas are often the ones that speak the loudest, just as Mum Vivian’s flourishing organization came from the simple act of feeding her immediate community and Mum Vicky’s thriving Bed and Breakfast started from a willingness to host tourists in her shack. Never underestimate the power of a simple idea, in fact when building something of value, I strongly believe that one needs to focus on keeping things simple. Do not get me wrong, I am not advocating small thinking, but I am advocating thinking simple instead, there is a huge difference between the two.

 

It is true that the challenges that are faced by South Africans are very intricate and that perhaps we will not be able to resolve all of them in our generation. However, we can transform not only our society but our continent, one simple idea at a time. I believe that one of the ways in which we are going to achieve this is through empowerment, and to me empowerment has never been about giving people jobs; this is called ‘employment’. I say this because I have met many dysfunctional individuals with permanent jobs. To me, empowerment is about the simple act of renewing one’s mind. This means getting people to deal with the ghosts of their pasts and to begin to think positively about their circumstances as well as their future. In this way, it does not matter who they are, or where they come from, they will succeed in empowering themselves as well as the people around them.

 

I have merely taken the tip of the ice-burg where the notion of simplicity is concerned. All you have to do is Google “simple ideas that changed the world” and you will find plenty examples of how simple ideas have transformed our planet. The notion of simple ideas leading to transformation does not only apply to social factors, it cuts right through all forms of knowledge from all spheres of life. Consider how a concept as complex as law- so complex that students now take a minimum of three years to study substantially- was derived from a simple act of separating right from wrong. That being said, please take time to watch a Ted Talk done by Adam Savage on how simple ideas lead to scientific knowledge.

 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8UFGu2M2gM&feature=player_embedded