There are certain choices that I have made in my life that when I think back to have sincerely been life changing. In retrospect, the process of making these decisions stirred all sorts of emotions within me. They caused me to feel great excitement for the incredible possibilities that lay ahead, a sense of being overwhelmed and a tad bit of anxiety of the unknown. For all such choices in my life, I have spent some time quietly contemplating the impact that my decisions would have not only on myself, but also on my family, closest friends and communities. One such decision that I made in High School was to continue with my studies to broaden my knowledge, skills and perspective by attending University.

 

I am a first generation student. This means that I am the first in my nuclear family to attend University. Leaving home to attend University in a small town approximately 18 hours drive away from my family was a difficult, but necessary decision. Although there were adjustments and sacrifices that had to be made, we made the necessary changes to adapt. I am privileged to have a wonderfully supportive family. Throughout my University career, I have been faced with some easy, and at times, less-easy choices. I believe that I have undertaken many decisions with a great sense of caution and careful consideration. I view reflection as an integral element that guides me in major life choices. At the start of 2012, I had to re-assess my life and make decisions accordingly.

 

The decision to apply for SAWIP is another example of a life changing choice in my life. I was drawn by the level of introspection that was required in completing the application forms. The process allowed me critically think about who I am and where I am growing and going towards. I had to ask myself probing questions to properly assess my state of being. During the SAWIP selection camp, I felt incredibly inspired by the soaring calibre of young leaders in our country. I was particularly encouraged by the personal stories that were shared. As a people, we constantly need to adapt to the challenges that we face in our lives. At times, changes in our lives require some sacrifice and great flexibility. Story telling is a valuable tool that can be used in getting to know people. Through stories, I have learnt of the humble spirit of selflessness that people have. With that, a common trend that I have observed in people is that of an attitude of remaining firmly grounded in their morals and beliefs system. I admire such characteristics.

 

As part of our SAWIP leadership development curriculum, we have had discussions on matters that have required elements of radical transformation. We spoke of and spoke to active citizens. Individuals like Vicky Ntozini and Vivian Zilo showed personal initiative and courageous commitment to make the necessary changes in their lives to make significant contributions to their communities. The spirit of selflessness and servant leadership that these women have shown to their families and communities inspires me. During our talk with Adv. Keith Matthee, it became apparent just how necessary we need to hold each other accountable on delivering on the promises laid out in Our Constitution.

 

To the SAWIP Class of 2012, I hope that this journey will continue to inspire us all as we grow through change in respect, in service, in loving kindness and ethical leadership.

 

 

A life time can be judged as being too long. A life time, our life time is somewhat something that is to an extent in our hands. We ought to realize and question what value would we be of if we had nothing, the truth of it being, when we are down to nothing. Here we are in the spin of things, the center piece being Washington D.C, and the curtain opener, being the most pivotal aspect of leadership in our life time, servant leadership.

Permit me to start by eluding from the main and initial notion, servant leadership, and allow me to tie it in with the events that make up our first week in the Washington D.C. Rain marked the arrival of the SAWIP fifteen, the 2011 class, one could take them as an excuse for relatives. The proceedings were ventured through by a braai, what Americans call a barbeque, hosted by the lovely Cantrel family, with the presence of the US Board. Come Monday, the metro became the place to get lost at or should one say in, if you are not getting into the wrong metro, you are dumbfounded as to where you are at. I thought my geography worked like a charm, till I realised, being a couple of meters below the ground can be change things drastically.

Selling SAWIP is similar to selling water to persons in a desert; everyone needs a peace of it. I personally can attest to this, why? I was a merchant for the night. I ought to say thanks to Ms Karen Strydom for letting us host the fundraiser at her house, where people saw the value of this amazing program, where as an intern, you see the interests of the world in a room filled with the movers and shakers of D.C and other spheres of America. What followed was something I can not afford to contract Parkinson’s diseases to erase; it captured the future in a glimpse, words, and discourse, the Youth Day roundtable discussion with Ambassador Rasool

While time has flown by like rearing a teen, the fruits of Democracy allowed us to celebrate Youth day on foreign soil, but in a South African home. We entered into this day under the theme; Youth Action for Economic Freedom in our Lifetime. One must acknowledge the honour of being chosen to speak at that event, we all where moved at the words placed forth as key points of the discussion by fellow SAWIP interns, Howard university and the young American professionals. Many of the things that I learnt from that dialogue center around the concept that we understand as human development and its goals that need to be highlighted, objectively approached, nationally pursued and achieved, as suggested by Erik de Ridder. This concept has been explored in the realm of academia, including that of private institution in a form of international reports. However; a set model for South Africa has not been set as yet, even though some have come close to having the same frameworks, none have been dynamic in their approach.

 

Human development is not mono-culturally centred, yet it is dynamically multifaceted to establish the pursuit of a more evened platform in three aspects, social, economical, and political development. The core quest being the end point where all citizens of the country can participate in the steering of the great vessel we call South Africa on all three levels of development, this all ties in with the freedom charter in one way or another. Human development in the context of South Africa will one day be propagated into the global playing field as soon as we master and understand in our own model. One of the key facets that make up the keys that will start, drive, and steer human development is Servant leadership. Servant leadership is the inverted mirror image of self-serving leadership, which we are branded for by the world as a result of our past flaws in leadership. It is rooted in the demonstration of the desire to lead people as an authentic servant through servant hood that is Ubuntu centred. The “I am because We are” philosophy is mother to servant leadership, and will ever be so as long as the ideal of service is centred around the African continent, but more South Africa. Dr. Kent Keith once wrote, “To be a servant-leader, the African must reject the concept of leadership as a money-spinning business venture; or a rare opportunity to feather one’s nest and bequeath material security to one’s offspring. He must repent of past misdeeds, adopt transparency and make appropriate restitutions” - (The case of leadership)-.

Servant leadership grants room for shared vision on the future of a family, a community, a nation, and the world. It is the center that feeds the periphery, it is transparent, it is invigorating those who are in line in its path and those who choose it, and it nurses the injustices that have and might have occurred. The foundation we have shall be brick-laid more and more by the contractors that we shall meet along the path here in D.C and back home in South Africa.

 

We are by virtue of SAWIP and rooted personal values in a dynamic setting, a playing field where everyone is a winner; the loser is that one being that chooses to stay inert while servants, leaders, erupt to spew change and gases of motivation for a better future. Today we work like slaves; tomorrow we live like queens and kings.

“New York is a different country. Maybe it ought to have a separate government. Everybody thinks differently, they just don't know what the hell the rest of the United States is.”