SAWIP Orientation Camp 2011

The time is exactly 13:45pm on the 4th of April 2011, I have just returned home from campus.

My cell phone rings (private number), a combination of adrenalin and nerves instinctively rush through my body, in a very shaky and squeaky like voice I answer the phone; “…MMMangaka Meesso speaking…” the voice on the other end of line professionally responds: “Hi Mangaka, it is Kim Williams speaking from SAWIP how are you..” Mangaka: “I am very nervous (oh goodness, ok breathe breathe)” Kim: don’t be nervous, first of all Mangaka I hereby would like to thank you for having applied to SAWIP…. (At this point in time I am convinced that I have not made the team and zone out as Kim kindly extends SAWIP’s gratitude for having applied) ….. Mangaka the SAWIP committee has decided, CONGRATULATIONS you have been selected for the team!

Mangaka: “what did you just say, I did? *screams*, so I am going to Orientation Camp…OMG thank you thank you thank you *screams* (excuse my screaming)…thank you thank you thank you *screams* thank you Kim.”

And so it was that I packed my luggage and prepared for Orientation camp. On the evening of the 8th of April 2011, 15 young South African leaders were invited to dinner which served to officially conclude them to being the 2011 team that would represent SAWIP in Washington over the June/July holiday. This dinner was a frivolous occasion one filled with laughter, excitement and curiosity of then unknown journey –at the backdrop of what had been a stressful 3weeks of interviews.

As we set around the table being served by the SAWIP alumni and feeling rather special , we engaged in thought provoking discussions on politics, philosophy, Africa and of course SAWIP. The purpose of the camp was to provide us with an opportunity to interact as the newly selected team, most of all, to critically reflect on our SAWIP journey and to set out realistic goals to be achieved prior our graduation scheduled for September 2011.

It was pleasing to be reunited with some of the young leaders that I had previously met at Selection Camp. The most distinct attribute we had in common as a group was our ability to dare to get out of our individual comfort zones and make a concerted effort to know the next person. I believe that Orientation Camp served its purpose: by Sunday afternoon we all had a better understanding of SAWIP the organization, its objectives and purpose and we were able to undergo a smooth induction into the SAWIP family.

Of course, the camp left little room for no drama; during one of our leadership sessions we were invaded by a pack of baboons that seemed rather unhappy with our visit to what they deemed to being their property. This sparked much calamity with everyone fleeing for safety – I am certain that some of us will become great sprinters in our next lifetime. The heroism displayed by John and some of our male teammates remains a heightened memory. As Hans Magnus Enzensberger once said, “Every orientation presupposes disorientation.”

This Orientation Camp was not limited to SAWIP as an organization but SAWIP’s willingness to ignite our hopes and dreams for our continent and our ability to handle new challenging situations as young leaders - best exemplified by our baboon encounter. As we proceed on our SAWIP journey the story unfolds and the memories remain.