Written on Wednesday 2 July 2008 at Inchanga Ranch, Johannesburg South Africa during the Bridge 2008 (the AIESEC in South Africa National Leadership Development Seminar)
Recently, about a month ago, I applied for an internship through my university. The internship is to be carried out abroad (outside South Africa). Therefore, the interviewing panel had the task of selecting students who were not only academically capable to handle the work to be done, but also good representatives of the university and if South Africa, in general. I am NOT South Africa and was, as far as I knew, the only non-resident who applied for the internship. I, thus, had fewer bargaining chips than my fellow applicants. When I was called in, I told the panel that part of my motivation for the internship was based on a personal desire to be the part of the next great wave of positive change to hit Africa. I insisted that I was looking for an opportunity to learn, develop and build up the skills that I would need in order to realise dream for my home and Africa, in general. The Panel laughed at me and, without saying it out loud, showed that my thinking was to idealistic, naïve, childish and unrealistic to survive. I have not yet received the results from the interview. However, from my point of view, it seems like they do not expect me or people like me to last long enough to make the difference we speak of. Since that interview, I have been challenged by 3 movements. I thought I knew what I was talking about when I spoke of change and revival, globally and regionally, but I have been pleasantly surprised and must admit that I know nothing.
The first movement is the church. I have been a christian for years (since May 2002). I am ashamed to say that my influence as a christian has seldom, if ever, been felt. I speak, write and dream a lot but do little. Another one of my faults is that I understand theories, logic, plans and procedures but passion has evaded me. I attended a conference in May 2008, organised by my local church for the family in Southern Africa. I was brought to tears when I saw the passion, desire, love that so many people show and act upon each day. I prayed for passion, knowing that what God gave them daily would be more than sufficient for me yearly. I felt dead amongst my brethren. We can all speak of change and influence but I was blessed to see people, fellow christians, who lived it everyday. They recognised Christ as the source of their salvation from death and had chosen to give this life to others. I learnt ‘life is not about me but around me!’
The week after the conference, the attacks on foreigners in SA broke out. I was, once again, humbled by these same people’s compassion and was challenged to allow compassion to move me to action.
The second movement is the South African Women in Engineering (SAWomEng). It is an organisation that targets female engineers-in-training in South African universities and provides them with an opportunity to interact with the representatives from government, corporate, industrial and academic sectors. The desired result is to have female engineering students who, whilst in university, make the right choices, in terms of skills’ development, in order to produce graduates who are better prepared for the work environment. The first thing that shocked me about the leaders of SAWomEng is that ALL of them are full-time engineering or built environment students at the University of Cape Town with time tables very similar to mine! Their aim seemed a bit ambitious for a group of young varsity students but they managed to meet and, I believe, exceed their target. This group of young individuals managed to capture the attention of a number of industries and organisations such as the Chamber of Commerce in Cape Town, Unilever, Volks Wagen, SASOL, SIEMENS, PetroSA and BHP Billiton. They succeeded in translating into word and action the passion that drives them and, in the process, recruited others to share their vision. Each day, hour, minute and second that I spent at their 2nd annual National conference challenged me to (as Rafiki said in Lion King 1½) ‘look beyond what you see!’ My small, selfish, closed mind was embarrassed to admit that I am very ignorant and very shallow. I am very far away from the great wave that I hope to achieve. I was challenged to start now, as opposed to waiting for the right moment and the perfect conditions. I was reminded that my status as a foreigner, woman and engineer-in-training is a very privileged one. I have the potential to reach, motivate and change people’s lives. My age and current academic level allow my point of view to appear relevant to the students and youth while my training and chosen career path makes my voice relevant to the corporate world. I can be a voice for the youth, women who need motivation to be changed and trained. I am also receiving training to make an impact in my field (career); therefore, I need to interact with those who are more knowledgeable than I am. I am a teacher and a student. My wave should start now!
The third movement is an organisation that I thought I knew and understood very well: AIESEC. Last night, I realised that I know very little of the organisation, its nature, work and potential. Furthermore, AIESEC is run by its members. It is not an abstract (‘out-there’) idea. I am AIESEC, therefore, if I have not realised AIESEC’s potential, I have not realised my potential. AIESEC simply provides a way for me to tap into this potential. This is where my wave starts! Yesterday, I was reminded of AIESEC’s history in South Africa. It showed me that have been too comfortable for too long. I have always counted on others to pave the way for me because of timidity, laziness and pride. AIESEC is about changing people, about making waves and about beginnings. It should never be about ends because every end could be viewed as a beginning. I was reminded that I need to focus and pour my energy into others just as much as I need to be energised by others. I need to change if I want to change society. In order to do this I need to tap into who I am.
I am Ugandan, young, an engineer-in-training, an AIESECer, a female, and a follower of Christ. I have a number of reasons to be proud of who I am. These same attributes should motivate my desire to make a difference for my nation, my continent, my race, my gender, my faith, my family and myself.
I started this year on a low note, scared of the challenges I had to face. I was afraid of the responsibilities that I had/have to my church, my family, friends and myself. I was afraid of the things that I knew I needed to change. I prayed for four things: King David’s passion, King Solomon’s wisdom, Samson’s strength and Apostle Paul’s (or Peter’s) boldness. I prayed for courage because I was afraid. In response, God gave me a challenge. He has opened my heart to what needs to be changed and opened my eyes to what can be done. I realise that I cannot sit and hope for someone else to change while I wait for the perfect time for my wave. It needs to start now and it should never end.
Now, I am praying that I will rise to the challenge that I face…
I am the change that Africa needs…
I am the light…
Recently, about a month ago, I applied for an internship through my university. The internship is to be carried out abroad (outside South Africa). Therefore, the interviewing panel had the task of selecting students who were not only academically capable to handle the work to be done, but also good representatives of the university and if South Africa, in general. I am NOT South Africa and was, as far as I knew, the only non-resident who applied for the internship. I, thus, had fewer bargaining chips than my fellow applicants. When I was called in, I told the panel that part of my motivation for the internship was based on a personal desire to be the part of the next great wave of positive change to hit Africa. I insisted that I was looking for an opportunity to learn, develop and build up the skills that I would need in order to realise dream for my home and Africa, in general. The Panel laughed at me and, without saying it out loud, showed that my thinking was to idealistic, naïve, childish and unrealistic to survive. I have not yet received the results from the interview. However, from my point of view, it seems like they do not expect me or people like me to last long enough to make the difference we speak of. Since that interview, I have been challenged by 3 movements. I thought I knew what I was talking about when I spoke of change and revival, globally and regionally, but I have been pleasantly surprised and must admit that I know nothing.
The first movement is the church. I have been a christian for years (since May 2002). I am ashamed to say that my influence as a christian has seldom, if ever, been felt. I speak, write and dream a lot but do little. Another one of my faults is that I understand theories, logic, plans and procedures but passion has evaded me. I attended a conference in May 2008, organised by my local church for the family in Southern Africa. I was brought to tears when I saw the passion, desire, love that so many people show and act upon each day. I prayed for passion, knowing that what God gave them daily would be more than sufficient for me yearly. I felt dead amongst my brethren. We can all speak of change and influence but I was blessed to see people, fellow christians, who lived it everyday. They recognised Christ as the source of their salvation from death and had chosen to give this life to others. I learnt ‘life is not about me but around me!’
The week after the conference, the attacks on foreigners in SA broke out. I was, once again, humbled by these same people’s compassion and was challenged to allow compassion to move me to action.
The second movement is the South African Women in Engineering (SAWomEng). It is an organisation that targets female engineers-in-training in South African universities and provides them with an opportunity to interact with the representatives from government, corporate, industrial and academic sectors. The desired result is to have female engineering students who, whilst in university, make the right choices, in terms of skills’ development, in order to produce graduates who are better prepared for the work environment. The first thing that shocked me about the leaders of SAWomEng is that ALL of them are full-time engineering or built environment students at the University of Cape Town with time tables very similar to mine! Their aim seemed a bit ambitious for a group of young varsity students but they managed to meet and, I believe, exceed their target. This group of young individuals managed to capture the attention of a number of industries and organisations such as the Chamber of Commerce in Cape Town, Unilever, Volks Wagen, SASOL, SIEMENS, PetroSA and BHP Billiton. They succeeded in translating into word and action the passion that drives them and, in the process, recruited others to share their vision. Each day, hour, minute and second that I spent at their 2nd annual National conference challenged me to (as Rafiki said in Lion King 1½) ‘look beyond what you see!’ My small, selfish, closed mind was embarrassed to admit that I am very ignorant and very shallow. I am very far away from the great wave that I hope to achieve. I was challenged to start now, as opposed to waiting for the right moment and the perfect conditions. I was reminded that my status as a foreigner, woman and engineer-in-training is a very privileged one. I have the potential to reach, motivate and change people’s lives. My age and current academic level allow my point of view to appear relevant to the students and youth while my training and chosen career path makes my voice relevant to the corporate world. I can be a voice for the youth, women who need motivation to be changed and trained. I am also receiving training to make an impact in my field (career); therefore, I need to interact with those who are more knowledgeable than I am. I am a teacher and a student. My wave should start now!
The third movement is an organisation that I thought I knew and understood very well: AIESEC. Last night, I realised that I know very little of the organisation, its nature, work and potential. Furthermore, AIESEC is run by its members. It is not an abstract (‘out-there’) idea. I am AIESEC, therefore, if I have not realised AIESEC’s potential, I have not realised my potential. AIESEC simply provides a way for me to tap into this potential. This is where my wave starts! Yesterday, I was reminded of AIESEC’s history in South Africa. It showed me that have been too comfortable for too long. I have always counted on others to pave the way for me because of timidity, laziness and pride. AIESEC is about changing people, about making waves and about beginnings. It should never be about ends because every end could be viewed as a beginning. I was reminded that I need to focus and pour my energy into others just as much as I need to be energised by others. I need to change if I want to change society. In order to do this I need to tap into who I am.
I am Ugandan, young, an engineer-in-training, an AIESECer, a female, and a follower of Christ. I have a number of reasons to be proud of who I am. These same attributes should motivate my desire to make a difference for my nation, my continent, my race, my gender, my faith, my family and myself.
I started this year on a low note, scared of the challenges I had to face. I was afraid of the responsibilities that I had/have to my church, my family, friends and myself. I was afraid of the things that I knew I needed to change. I prayed for four things: King David’s passion, King Solomon’s wisdom, Samson’s strength and Apostle Paul’s (or Peter’s) boldness. I prayed for courage because I was afraid. In response, God gave me a challenge. He has opened my heart to what needs to be changed and opened my eyes to what can be done. I realise that I cannot sit and hope for someone else to change while I wait for the perfect time for my wave. It needs to start now and it should never end.
Now, I am praying that I will rise to the challenge that I face…
I am the change that Africa needs…
I am the light…
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