Farewell to Friends
July 3, 2018A Trip to Robben Island
July 4, 2018The time spent with meaningful people just never seems enough but the moment’s together amount to so much.
“Learn to live with people.”
Edufundi Mentor
Ms Nokuthula Kubheka
The quote shared above by one of our colleagues, Ms Nokuthula Kubheka is so profound and truly speaks to our team building week and the time shared together. When I reflect on the people within this organisation, both new and existing, it has been so easy to live with them and to love them. Each individual brings a quality of goodness and all share a common vision to make a difference for the children of our country.
Our team visit to Robben Island was a first for me and was definitely meant to be experienced with my colleagues. My highlight was listening to our guide, former prisoner on the island, Mr Sipho Msomi, who not only lived through the struggle but rose above it with courage and perseverance. A remarkable person who deserves such respect and recognition. I don’t believe that I will ever forget him. He knew what it meant to ‘live with people’.
This was a week where we celebrated our heritage with a measure of pain, shame and forgiveness as we embraced each other as brothers and sisters of this beautiful country. Singing songs and dancing at our heritage themed dinner was a perfect way to close off an emotionally charged and powerful week of team building. Hidden talents were unsurfaced revealing the bottom of the iceberg. Joyce’s hands blessed us in creating beautiful headpieces, Ntsiki danced so gracefully but with strong authority, Robyn’s swift and light feet kicked high into the air and a harmony of song echoed through the hotel.
It was such a blessing to have spent these few days together at our annual team building, to learn that I share a birthday month with Loveness and Kindred, to have an opportunity to talk to different colleagues and to share deep connectedness in our experiences within this organisation.
What camaraderie.., what passion…, what love…, and what a connection we all share.
Edupeg, transformed to Edufundi has begun a new era for education and we will march onwards to heal this nation from past hurts and to restore it for a better future for our children.
Written by Tia Rohlandt