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27OctCategory: Uncategorized Posted by: Jacobus Boers at 1:38 pm No Comments
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27OctCategory: Uncategorized Posted by: Jacobus Boers at 1:35 pm 1 Comment
We have seen: Table Mountain, Robben Island, Cape Town, Apartheid Museum, a gold pour, Hector Peterson Monument, Joburg, Pretoria, Nelspruit, Mpumalanga (and its horizons, sunsets and stars), lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, white and black rhino, wild dog, porcipine…. the list goes on.
We have tasted: great seafood, some African food at Moyo, GREAT wine from the Agter Paarl, lunch at Wandies, dinner by Mariane at Old Joe’s Kaia, lamb chops in the boma at Skukuza.
We visited: Sanlam, UCT-GSB, US Consulate and FCS in Joburg, Old Mutual, The Royal Bafokeng Institute, the Tapaloga Aids Project, The Palace of the Lost Kingdom, HADECO, the JSE, Coca-Cola South Africa.
We listened to: Standard Bank, Sun Advisory and Jacobus about Redding’s Nine Boxes.…and we were half a mile under the ground at the Cullinan Diamond Mine, and 761 feet under Joburg in gold mine…
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05JunCategory: Ivy Horn-Scott, Uncategorized Posted by: Ivy Scott at 6:39 pm 5 Comments
We have been back in the United States for about 2 weeks now. During this time, I have had an opportunity to reflect on my incredible trip. I started my journey to South Africa almost a month ago. Before I left, my hopes were to learn about the history of South Africa and really take in one of the birthplaces of my ancestors. I have been many places, but none have touched me or moved me as my trip to South Africa has done. I did not expect to see people living in huts or as primitive as most people would expect when you say “Africa”. However, I was truly amazed how advanced and modern South Africa has become. It reminded me very much of a major city in the United States. Even the ways of dressing, the hair styles, and the buildings were as current as what we have here in the U.S. In that way, South Africa exceeded my expectations.
One of things that I have constantly mentioned in my blogs is the parallelism of South Africa’s tumultuous history to our history here in the United States. From segregation to affirmative action, our worlds are very much similar. However, I think South Africa has a better chance of being a very strong country because of their sense of community and their love for South Africa. My hope is that in the next decade or so, major accomplishments will continue to be the norm in their society.
Our visits to all the different companies were truly enlightening on the dynamics of emerging markets. The cultural visits enhanced our understanding of the history and people who have made South Africa what it is today.
For me, this journey has been one of great gratitude and one that has challenged me to be better in the giving of my time and my money (what little I have-LOL) as a way of service to others who are less fortunate than me. Although, I am not wealthy by any standards in America, the little that I do spend on frivolous things could help a little village in Africa. For that, I am most thankful to be blessed to be a blessing to someone else.
As I close my last blog, I can truly say that my journey to South Africa and all of my feelings, emotions, and experiences with the people I have met (including my classmates) will be something that I will always remember and carry with me for a lifetime.
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01JunCategory: Aisha Moffett, Uncategorized Posted by: Aisha Moffett at 11:16 pm No Comments
My mother always told me, “Don’t judge a man until you walked a mile in his shoes.” Well, I feel similarly about the country of South Africa. You really can not talk about it or understand it until you have visited and immersed yourself in the culture. I learned so very much from my visit to South Africa. Below are some insights that I gained from the experience:
Humility- When I reflect on my visit to Robben island, once again I am moved by the level of peace and humility and unwavering forgiveness that not only Mandela displayed but also Sparks and his fellow ex-inmates. They practice forgiveness and humility by giving daily tours so that their story would be heard. I amazed at the spirit of Mandela that could not and would not be broken and still contains enough stamina at ninety plus years to continue hope in a healing nation.
Blessings- Going into poverty stricken areas of the country and seeing the conditions that some people are forced to live in allowed me to see how blessed I am. In the United States we live such a charmed existence and do not realize true poverty. It amazed me that the sadness that I felt for those people was more about me and not about them. The children were so happy and comfortable in their existence because that is all that they knew, and for them it was enough.
Progress- A misconception about Africa is that everything you experience will be third world. Going into many of the companies I witnessed the progressiveness of many of the businesses. The facilities, preparedness and presentation were on a level that you would not experience visiting most U.S. companies. South Africans take so much pride in what they do and they are moving forward at a mind blowing pace.
Openness- This country is not just about one people or language but many. South Africa belongs to many and the rainbow is very alive. You can not be close minded or remain ignorant with the variety of colors, faces, races and people that make South Africa the beautiful country it is. When I tell people “South Africa was beautiful” I am not just speaking about the scenery but the total experience.
In retrospect, I am forever changed by the complexity of South Africa. The cross culture of natural beauty, international business, and social diversity make South Africa and amazing place. I sincerely appreciate this experience and I will forever hold a special place in my heart for South Africa.
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01JunCategory: Uncategorized Posted by: Kimberly Weaver at 2:44 pm No Comments
What a beautiful way to be remembered.
My emotion got the best of me and made me ill as we visited the hospice and hospital for those living with HIV/AIDS. The reality of generations wiped out to a disease and the community must battle between survival and tradition. At one point during the visit, I became ill. My mind was flooded with memories of my mentee, Martina, who accepted her fate at the young age 11 from full-blown AIDS. The potential of millions will never be met. This reality causes me to want to have a greater impact on more and for me to work as an individual to be all that I can be. It also brought back my desires from years ago to adopt a child. The boy we saw at Tapologo might have been on orphan or a child visiting a sick relative. It made me thankful for two parents who love me unconditionally. I thought it was interesting during our visit how the notion of adoption is not widely supported but the desire to keep children in the villages remains the ideal solution. The center seeks to provide additional resources and support for the children to remain in their homelands. The term “child-headed” household surfaced. It reminds us that not everyone is granted a traditional childhood, but it does take a whole village to raise a child.
The picture is the memory wall for those who have passed at Tapologo. Butterflies are one of the things that I collect. It was with wonder and awe as I read the names of those who have transitioned. It is a place that provides love and dignity as people transition. It also provides a place for women to learn a trade and earn a living by making bricks for the buildings we toured. It is a full-circle blessing in a place where people are often forgotten. It gives support to those who need it on many levels.
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