The beginning of a new chapter

Trying to look back on the Washington DC experience: I try not to look as the farewell as the end of the chapter: rather it is already the start of a new chapter - and below you are able to read the farewell speech that I made for the SAWIP Farewell in Washington DC.

Once upon a time, in a beautiful town of Stellenbosch, South Africa - a little baby girl was born in August of 1990. Her parents had just immigrated to the town a year ago - from a far east asian land of South Korea.

it was evident from the beginning that she was no ordinary Korean. Baptised in an Afrikaans church, even going to an Afrikaans preschool - she grew up in this town - to attend the same school and grow up like most of her white schoolmates. When her parents had discovered that she had a talent for music, they decided that she would become a concert musician. determined, her parents ensured that she received quality musical education and trying their best to encourage her to engage with the instrument that she had chosen, namely the piano.

Once she had left school, she continued to study on with Music. But a passion for photography ensued as well, and her siblings encouraged her to achieve her dreams, no matter what they were. By the time she got to her third year of studies, she was convinced that she knew exactly what she wanted out of life: she was going to finish her degree, go overseas for 10 years, come back and settle down, study an MBA and save the world. But, that all changed in 2011.

On a fateful February afternoon, she was lost in thought yet again dreaming of going overseas. She decided to use the magical app called Twitter to tweet about it, and lone behold, a tweet came back with a mysterious website link leading to SAWIP. When she looked at it she thought: "hmm, how great! but what about my piano career?" With 4 days left to apply - she decided to take the leap and apply for it. Suddenly she was phoned for an interview, next thing she was going off to selection camp. Intimidated by 33 most astounding and intelligent individuals, she was more stumped that weekend than anything else. Glad for the experience and not sure what to expect, she was waiting for a phone call that would change her life. On Monday the 10th of April 2011, she got the phone call that she had been accepted into the programme.

And thus began the change of this young girl developing into a lady.

many days, this young girl would start freaking out over what was happening in the program. she sure knew about Bach and Beethoven, but about Nationalisation of Mines and the Economic Crisis of the USA - she could probably spell nationalization but that's where the connection died. Nevertheless, she sought to take an interest in the meetings, but more importantly, being able to take the leap and get more involved in her community for community service was something that she was more proud of.

The time flew by, and after completing the challenges of pre-USA, it was time to experience it. After emotional goodbyes to the ones she loved, armed with tons of luggage and a most special book compiled with letters from her loved ones at home, she put on her bravery hat and boarded the aeroplane with her teammates that would take her to Washington DC. Not sure what to expect, but excited for the times ahead - 20 hours on a plane might have left her back sore, but she was ready for the next 5 weeks.

And here she stands tonight, in front of you all. She might be taking gifts home for her loved ones, but the memories and experiences that she has had will stay with her for life. and her new found SAWIP family, they refuse to back out of her life, so she guesses they can stay! This young lady would now like to read a letter that she has written for her new family - the SAWIP class of 2011.

My bhutis and my sisi's

We are a rugby team. i do not know anything about rugby, but what i do know is that a rugby team has 15 players and that a rugby team also has to operate as a team. The number 15 is perfect for this scenario - having one more would lose the magic touch, and one less would have the team feeling empty. Each one of us also have a unique role within a team - and together with our common goal of changing South Africa, we are well on our way to reaching the top.

Together, we have had some wonderfully easy and fun matches, and sometimes we have lost a few matches. We have had some great team bonding experiences, but sometimes we have had to have intense team pep talks to make sure we were on par for the goal.

The Washington DC tournament has been an experience that I would not want to share with anyone else in the world. Where do I even begin to start talking about some of the matches we have played? Memorable meetings include meeting with Tom Wheeler and other entrepreneurs to aspire to - I believe that that meeting was one of the best matches we have ever played - to the experience of New York - though that match was a difficult one - it turned out to be an unforgettable experience.

Together, we have conquered difficult times - such as last night. Though I wish I could have been more of a support to all of you last night - I believe that our family ties have been knitted more intricately together - and conversations such as last night only make us stronger together. Being able to engage on such difficult topics with you guys has been a privilege. Thank you for letting me share this experience with you.

My brothers and sisters, we have too many memories together. Even though I might have been a hermit at the beginning after our "matches" namely our meetings - i have enjoyed walking the streets of DC being able to reflect on life and gaining a sense of independence.  But the memories we share together are priceless. May it be from eating Krispy Kremes, to always finding each other on the metro somehow. Or late night swimming at Bethesda crab fest, to bowling with the youth of Mount Lebanon, landing up at a quintessential American diner in New York to attending a hip hop gig in DC - these memories are what I will cherish in building up our family.

I would like to honor everyone that has been involved with us. A special mention to my host family - the Karpowicz'. I do not know if they are here this evening - but they have been such an amazing family to me. Ed, my host father, encouraged me greatly to explore DC and enjoy the experience - and Polly, my host mom, always has always taken an interest in my life and also encouraging me to explore the city. And my two little sisters, Flora and Anna, have been amazing. I would not have been able to imagine myself with another family. To Kim, Claire, Viv, Melvyn: They have been an amazing management team. Encouraging and challenging us, they have supported us. A special mention should go out to Viv for heading out the Bethesda Swim Team!

To all the supporters of SAWIP and the board members - another reason why we are here. Investing in us. It's amazing that they took out the time and money to make sure that we could have this opportunity - for which I am thankful.

But what's important is that you guys are honored. My brothers and sisters, you are all so amazing. I am astounded by your intelligence, integrity, personalities, caring hearts - and I am humbled to be in your presence. You guys have taught me so much - from Xhosa to nationalisation of mines - I cannot even begin to express how privileged I am to know all of you - and I am thankful to God for making our paths cross. As I stand here, I have no idea what I still want to do with my life, and I am not even sure if I want to do an MBA anymore - but what I do know is that I can be a leader anywhere - and that to lead with a servant hearted attitude is a challenge in itself. And, I present to you this challenge from the worlds of Coldplay: "I'd rather be a comma than a full stop". The reality is that it does not stop with us, in the bigger picture of life it is our responsibility to pass the baton of changing South Africa - so let us continue to building the beautiful country that we live in.

To end off, I would like to share with you two stories.

In November of 2010, I had decided to apply for a prestigious national piano competition this year. When 2011 came though, an admin glitch prevented me in entering the competition (namely that I was a permanent resident and not a citizen). After days of consulting between the board of the competition and my piano lecturer, they decided to not let me enter the competition. Had I gotten through to the competition, I would not be standing here today.

In my journal, I have a letter dated from June 2010 to God. I had written about my desire to go overseas in June 2011, no matter what it may be - and that if it was in His will - he would make it work. That letter is a testament to me - and here I am this evening being able to share that story with you. Thank you Lord for giving me this opportunity to be here.

Thank you, and God bless.