So another week went flying by and more goosebump moments were felt…
The WIP and SAWIP teams had the honour of hosting 3 very well known and widely respected members of the American (and international) media fraternity at the offices of Hogan and Hartson in central Washington, DC. Mr. Craig Gordon, Ms. Nell Henderson and Mr. [...]
the washington weekly, issue 3
July 7th, 2009 by ziyandathe washington weekly, issue 2
July 1st, 2009 by ziyandaSo yet another exhilirating week in the world’s political capital has flown by. This past week has brought nothing but excitement, events and exhausation.
Last Tuesday evening (June 25th), we were invited to watch a debate between our Irish brothers and sisters and their opponents from the Georgetown debate. The event was a lively and informative [...]
“the land i had imagined”
June 30th, 2009 by ayanda“The land I had imagined”
In the stormy weather of the Eastern Cape, trees swinging side by side, the strong wind blow all that is not strong enough and all that is not rooted to the ground. Dogs, pigs, cows, goats, sheep’s crying as if it’s the end of the world. The rain so strong, that [...]
…And so the internships begin
June 30th, 2009 by emmaI began my internship last week Wednesday, yes – with many preconceived ideas of what life in the working world of D.C would really be like. I have already experienced a little taster, with the bustling of power suits on the metro (complimented by sneakers/flip-flops to avoid damage to the high heels), to the edgy [...]
What it means to be South African..
June 30th, 2009 by lebusaSPEECH: WHAT IT MEANS TO BE SOUTH AFRICAN 27 June 2009
It was in 1652 when the Dutch East Indian Company anchored their ships for the first time on African soil. Soon thereafter, the San and the Khoi Khoi, all of whom were indigenous people of the cape at the time, fell victim to the most merciless [...]
“Obamarised”
June 30th, 2009 by lebusaThe efficient transport system and religious adherence to laws here often reminds me that I am in a 1st world country. I like this city very much, although it can never match the picturesque Cape Town.
On Sunday I cycled 10 miles to go see the Great Falls on the Potomic River (the river bisect’s DC [...]
“Home is where the heart is”
June 26th, 2009 by samanthaToday I came across a few words which I think really encompass this journey that we are on:
“If you think you are beaten, you are:
If you think you dare not, you won’t
If you like to win, but don’t think you can
It’s almost certain you won’t.
If you think you’ll lose, you’re lost;
For out in the world [...]
Sons and Daughters of Afrika!!
June 25th, 2009 by ayandaIt is so amazing to see the future leaders of our countries gathered together in this small town, drafting policies in their minds, planning the future of their countries and engaging in issues that affect their people.
I must say that I am proud to be amongst the next presidents, the next ministers, the next religious [...]
Norm, STORM, Perform
June 25th, 2009 by petrusWalking home at night I find myself surrounded by Friendship Heights fire flies lighting up around me. I look to the sky and relive the past three days. A scenic twenty mile bike ride with a stop for lunch and exceedingly interesting visit to a forensic anthropology exhibition at the Natural History Museum. An insightful [...]
The heat is on!
June 24th, 2009 by emmaWe finally arrived in D.C, laden with laptops, pressed suits and John Carlin reading essentials. After 23 hours of travel and jet-lag enervation, we were hit by the wave of Washington humidity and the ferocity of our first D.C mosquito bites.
We then split from the nurturing SAWIP team and were dispersed to our allocated host [...]
In the engine room
June 24th, 2009 by nicAs I reflect on our first week in Washington DC, my mind is alive with the voices of the people we have met and the incredible images of the places we have visited. It is difficult to reconcile the impact the city has had on me in such a short time.
If the United States [...]
an unexpected moment…
June 23rd, 2009 by ziyandaLeaving Cape Town with trepidation, anxiousness and excitement, I couldn’t help but wonder if America was the land I had always seen on TV. Flying over what I assumed was Virginia, my question was answered: the very first building I laid eyes on was a massive Costco store! At that point, I became very excited [...]
the washington weekly, issue 1
June 23rd, 2009 by ziyandaIts been a while since my last blog on community service, and what an incredible ride I have been on since then. I have waded the intimidating jungle that is the visa application process, I have spent days packing and preparing for this journey, I flew for more hours than I care to count but [...]
Leadership, sacrifice, and things
June 23rd, 2009 by musaOn Monday the 22nd June 2009 we were all gathered together with the purpose of learning more about leadership. We had a wonderful opportunity to have prominent leaders in various fields come share with us their wealth of knowledge in the subject of leadership. What became
From Zwelethemba to Dupont Circle
June 23rd, 2009 by SabeloIt must be natural to be too excited and confused on where to start commenting about the great things that the “SAWIP 2009 12 Greats” and a mere communist from Zwelethemba like me have seen. All the amazing people we have met and had engagements with. It would be too humble for me to say [...]
SAWIPers dropped into D.C. core
June 19th, 2009 by petrusThe 12 SAWIP comrades have arrived from their homeland and are now daily walking the the streets of D.C. with ambition and enthusiasm! Finishing our third day of internships I am certain all of the SAWIPers are learning a great deal of things in their various work placements. We kicked off with meeting Misha from the Phelps Stokes foundation and [...]
Our First Week
June 19th, 2009 by jeanAfter being in DC for two weeks prior to the arrival of the SAWIP team and this being my third time in Washington DC I don’t think I quite realised how excited I would be about the team arriving last Sunday.
This has been a long journey coming here and we have not even started! [...]
Welcome to DC!
June 19th, 2009 by samanthaAs the week draws to a close so too do the experiences of the first week in DC. From lunch with the South African Ambassador to meeting the SAWIP board and the formation of the SAWIP task teams this week has proved to be both challenging and exciting. In addition to the program events which [...]
at long last….
June 18th, 2009 by vivekI have never felt comfortable sharing my personal thoughts in such a public forum. Hence, it is with a little anxiety and a leap of faith that I write this….
When we landed here in Washington, I was not sure what to expect…. 6 weeks in a foreign place, with a new family, holding down a [...]
Goodbye winter..
June 11th, 2009 by petrusTime before departure is ticking of the clock, soon the twelve SAWIPers and their honorable management leader will leave the cold Cape Townian weather for a DC summer which I anticipate will be filled with the most amazing of experiences.
Upon reading Playing the Enemy today and often seeing the date ‘1989′ while reading, I stop [...]