Endorsements |
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Official Endorsements “I have (also) met many of the students that SAWIP has mentored. They are great examples of South African future leaders, drawn from all sectors of society. They will go on to further build the partnership between our two countries that will lead South Africa to realize its vision of becoming a true rainbow nation…..SAWIP is in a unique position to influence the hearts and minds of emerging South African leaders….The program has proven its potential to make an important and continuing impact here.” (2010) As Honorary Chair of the South African Washington Internship Program ("SAWIP") I am pleased to support the work of this organization as it seeks to prepare the future leaders of South Africa and create a new and positive link between an emerging democratic South Africa and the United States. ‘The initiative taken by a group of young people to set up this programme (SAWIP) is worthy of the greatest support. Inter-action between people with different backgrounds and political affiliations may help to remove the narrow parochialism which often blights the landscape. The link between the oldest democracy with one of the world’s exciting young democracies can only lead to greater understanding.’ ‘The purpose of SAWIP, in encouraging an ethos of community service amongst young South Africans, is welcome….SAWIP undertakes to provide leadership training to university students who are committed to active citizenship and willing to commit time to growing a stronger South Africa.’ Alumni
"SAWIP is about leadership and skills development, peace and conflict and a space for excellent individuals and groups to grow and form relationships and bonds that transcend colour, race, religion, ethnicity and cultural backgrounds. …. It is not a gift but a privilege that is worked for and granted on the conditions of continued involvement and interaction." (Jean Scrimgeour - SAWIP Report 2008)
“Working in Congressman Paynes’ office (sub-committee for Africa) was a blessing on its own, from the first day I arrived at the office to my final lunch with the whole office I felt that I was treated with love and respect. I wanted to serve where I was required from an administrative level but also to engage policy and have an input where the American perspective towards my continent was flawed and uninformed and I got the opportunity to do all this.” (Thamsanqha Ledwaba - 2008) "As one who is pivotally concerned with using law to promote equality and foster social justice, the entire opportunity was a phenomenal learning experience……The internship allowed me to work with people that are dedicated to pursuing social goals, for the respect of liberties and upholding their constitution.’" (Vuyolwethu Goni - 2008) ‘Sure, SAWIP would look good on my CV. But that is not the point! Rather, it’s about helping to grow something more important than me, more important than all of us.’ (Mzimkhulu Ceko - 2007) “It is now clear to me that SAWIP is on fire, and that it has ignited a small flame of change in the hearts of 26 young Northern Irish students, a flame that hopefully we as individuals and as a partnership of nations, can fan into a bush fire, and it is up to us to ensure that that flame is never extinguished.” (Matthew Thompson - WIP 2008) ‘It is almost five years since my involvement with SAWIP began and the impact of the journey that it has taken me on makes itself more and more apparent as the years go by. I feel that the significance of the programme is best summed up by Wangari Maathai in her book The Challenge for Africa where she says “Africa needs a revolution in leadership – not only from the politicians who govern, but from an active citizenry that places its country about the narrow needs of its own ethnic group or community.” (Jean Scrimgeour Alum 2008) “Furthermore, this program speaks volumes to us who come from Africa’s leading economic power to interact and learn from the world’s economic power. With the spirit of South Africans of all strokes, we learn as much as we teach, our country itself being an example of tireless efforts to ensure that the lives of our people are better today than they were yesterday, and that we can stand in confidence, free of fear and contradictions to assert that the lives of our people will be better tomorrow than they are today.” (Sabelo Mcinziba Alum 2009) |
