11 years ago I was a 10 year old kid running around the house waiting for my family to return from work. I finally settled down in the lounge area and switched on the television waiting for my favorite program to be aired. I was highly annoyed at the time as I saw only breaking news was being aired. I switched channels and saw that every channel had the breaking news on. All I understood was an aircraft in America had crashed into a building. This meant absolutely nothing to me. Soon my parents and extended family reached home and ran to the living room. I tried to ask questions about this “breaking news” but I was ignored.

As the evening progressed more family and friends came to discuss the incident. I could sense that everyone was angry. People remarked that this would be the beginning of America’s attempt to slander Islam. Some delighted in the fact that the “super power” of the world was brought to their knees. I sat there in utter confusion and had nothing to add. I soon got hold of our newspaper and began to follow the story. I wasn’t sure what emotion I should have been experiencing at the time- the media told one story and my observation of my living room filled with family, friends and strangers told a different one. All I wanted as an eleven year old kid was the truth.

11 years later I was selected to go on the South Africa-Washington International Program (SAWIP). I was finally going to see America. Friends and family were skeptical, they wondered if I would be allowed into the USA since I am a Muslim.

My visa was approved and I was soon of to DC together with the 14 other SAWIP members of the Class of 2012. The security checks in the USA were at times very frustrating. We were warned to be mindful of what we say and that it should not be anything that could make us possible threats to the country.

One Friday afternoon the entire team and management headed off to the Newseum. This was an exciting experience until I reached the floor dedicated to 9/11. I read some of the posters, articles, cards, and messages from loved one. Eleven years later I finally could grasp why 9/11’s breaking news replaced my favorite television show. I stood at a glass cabinet and saw the remainder of a journalists’ camera, shreds of his clothing, a tattered note book and a half-burnt page. I read his final words, and then the message of his wife and two daughters whom he had left behind. As I turned around I saw many more of the glass cabinets filled with the last traces of loved ones who killed during 9/11.I was brought to tears and for the first time I could see what had actually happened. I had goose-pumps seeing videos and pictures of people who were innocently killed. The heart breaking part was reading messages from those family members who lost their loved ones in 9/11.

I wish I knew why this happened; what was the point of not only destroying such a valuable building but also killing thousands of innocent people? Was this meant to show power? Was this revenge? What was 9/11 all about, I ask the man behind the master plan of killing thousands of mothers, fathers, breadwinners and innocent children? As leaders, it is pivotal that strong people don’t pull others down, but lift them up.

While America today still mourns the loss of almost three thousand loved ones, and are just past the half-way mark of re-building the Twin Towers that crashed, Palestinians had the following to say: “Dear USA your 9/11 is our 24/7 sincerely Palestine”. While I sympathise whole heartedly with the tragic loss Americans experienced during 9/11, I feel that it is time Americans and the rest of world look at ways to creating safety measures for Palestinians. Governor Mitt Romney said "those who would attack us should know that we are united”. More importantly, as Americans know the pain and suffering they endured during 9/11, it is time they take their leadership and put it to the test to try and assist our Palestinian and Israeli brothers and sisters. Let’s help create universal unity the unity Governor Romney speaks of.

"The true legacy of 9/11 will not be one of fear, or hate, or division," President Obama said at the Pentagon near Washington. Let us as nations take to heart the words of President Obama and put them into practice. As the human race, we can only ALL be free once Palestine is free and Israelis and Palestinians are at peace with one another- this is the sentiment Ex President of South Africa Nelson Mandela and Congressman John Lewis share. We have one life with very little guarantees. When we die, we leave behind everything we once had. The path to healing is through forgiveness-which costs nothing except LOVE. Congressman John Lewis left the SAWIP team with the following words “let us love the hate out of each other”, embrace one another, forgive your enemy and embrace him too. I conclude by what Mahatma Ghandi once said “my life, my message”. Let us give of ourselves and share the wealth; let us love our neighbor, and let our lives be our message and that message be our service. May the injustices of the past be not an invitation to revenge and further injustices, but let it be the start of forgiveness, peace, unity and communal development.

A pleasant flight from Cape Town to Johannesburg. Rushing off catch our connecting flight. Meeting up with our entire team; at this point seeing the team together and getting ready to check- in and seeing my team mates making this venture official by checking in our departure on Facebook, I finally realized THIS IS HAPPENING, I am going to AMERICA :)

So the long trip to Washington Dc begins. Waiting in anticipation for lift- off and being delayed due to a mother insisting that the aircraft will not take off unless she has her child’s baby seat on board. An hour late we are bursting with exciting and the adrenaline pumps through our veins and the exciting lift-off begins…

Sitting next to a ‘singer’ from Botswana that claims to be amazing and a “pure” Christian, I am shocked at her claims to being a “pure Christian” as her claims there a various Christians (this was the first time I had heard of this). She begins a conversation with the two passengers besides her which includes me. She strikes up the conversation questioning my religion and tells me I should see the light, I soon realized my test as a leader begins here. Initially I would have raged at her but on second thought I calmly questioned her reasoning and claims and realized that engaging with narrow-minded person is quite a challenge. Phiwe and Daniel were sitting in front of me and like two angels they came to my rescue as there was an open seat next to Phiwe. This was the best move on the plane, how much longer I would have lasted chatting with this lady I would not know.

The journey to DC now felt a lot more real sitting among two other SAWIPers. Watching movies, reading and later on engaging with Daniel and Phiwe was so much fun, while many passengers were asleep, we found ourselves chatting away and playing card games. There were moments of silence on this journey as we reflected on that which we had left behind at home, our family, friends, loved ones and University holidays. At the same time we were anxiously awaiting the wonderful summer program in DC. We discussed our expectations of the weeks which lie ahead and what we would like to achieve, whether or not we will accomplish this, it remains to be seen….

It felt as though we were never going to land, the flight was really long; but Phiwe managed to create an atmosphere with the feeling of calmness and patience.

The SAWIP team was soon awake and we had touched base in Darkar. Our destination was insight. A buzz of excitement travelled through the space craft as restless young leaders began to freshen up for breakfast and landing.

We landed and quickly gathered our hand-luggage and hurried off to the terminals to collect the rest of our luggage. After a few hours of more patience we were cleared and gained access to the United States of America. I though Claire (SAWIP executive director) exaggerated when she mentioned that we would hit the ground running. We were handed welcome packages and collected by warm and friendly host families and not forgetting to familiar smiling faces with open arms, Claire and Kim.

After a brief freshen-up at home we met at the National Mall (not a shopping mall as I thought, instead an outdoor mall filled with monuments, historical figures, many museums and exciting adventures. My host mom accompanied me to the mall and showed me how the metro system operates; I was pathetic at reading maps and wasn’t too impressed with this way of commuting. I realized I needed to get my act together and I needed to do things the American way. With an exciting and lively tour guide I managed to stay awake throughout the tour, however I desperately wanted to go home and sleep. I didn’t realize it was going to be as hot as Dinika and Thuli warned us it would be. At least the tasty flavor bursting ice-lollies made up for this sticky weather.

It was time to head towards Eastern Market on the metro and find my way home alone. I still could not believe that this is how I would be getting around for the next 6 weeks.

I reached home and could not wait to get to bed. I was in bed by 9pm; this was the earliest I had been in bed since junior/primary school. At this point I missed home, and wondered what the rest of the journey had installed for us. I wonder if I would enjoy the experience. I was grateful that my internship only starts on Monday and not tomorrow (Friday 15 June). The road ahead now seemed like an up-heel battle. More importantly what I now need is sleep. I was gone the minute lights were out.

Pulling an all-nighter, the thought of a weekend and some sleep was overpowering. To attend the final SAWIP session before we depart to DC or not was the big question. Headache and all I decided I needed the break and a few chuckles with the team to get my spirits up again. I was clueless about the topic of discussion for the day; perhaps I just forgot after gazing over Thuli’s email. And to top things off as per “South African time” some of us arrived late.

Walking into the room and having the guest speaker Joe Warren all calm and collective and welcoming was extremely refreshing after a crazy week. To my surprise the session was very interesting to say the least; it was brief, informative and included some good laughter. It got me thinking about our trip to DC with the final countdown of 11 days, thanks to today’s session im finally a little bit excited and curious to do some more readings about Dc and the States. I can’t believe things are happening at this rapid pace. I still recall selection and orientation camp.

Our special guests Kimmie and Kim gave an excellent overview of DC and what to expect as well as the cool places to try out (at this point I completely zoned out and began day dreaming of the 6 weeks ahead in DC). Writing this blog is giving me goose-pumps. I realize sleep deprivation will be a norm but at the same time I realize how fortunate I am together with the team to be afforded this once in a life time opportunity. Hearing about everyone’s’ expectations and plans to maximize our stay in the states is mind blowing. The preparations are in place the remainder of the team is scheduled for visa appointments Monday 4 July. I guess there after its all systems go. Books and articles to read and preparing our leadership discussions in DC are all on the agenda.

It’s the final countdown…:)

17^th April 2012 after a long day at campus, the SAWIP dialogue topic was about BEE. And I thought “oh no not again this topic, this man is again here to tell us why we should support BEE”. I thought I knew everything about BEE; my final undergraduate entrepreneurship module submission was on BEE.

Mr. Graeme Dorington within two hours quickly switched on some light bulbs and showed how the BEE 10 year goal is suppose to be working. The truth was brought to the table and my anger subsided, I finally understood that BEE is meant to benefit all people of colour; such a pity more people are not educated about the basics of BEE and the measurement score card. The way I viewed BEE for starters has changed so much, I wish what I now know I could track back to a year ago when I wrote my major entrepreneur essay based on BEE. I was tunnel visioned and miss-informed, washed away by media talks, but fortunately thanks to Mr. Dorington I am able to see the bigger picture of BEE. My desire is to see this BEE program in full operation in South Africa. I may not be going into the business world with immediate effect, but I will be entering the rewarding field of education soon. I now aim to use the knowledge I have gained from the BEE discussion and further research into incorporating it into my economic classes that will run for 7 weeks. I want to make my learners BEE wise and I want them to challenge their parents on this topic and educate their parents on the purpose, the truth and operation that BEE takes.

I think BEE is an amazing programme in South Africa that is truly beneficial to ALL South Africans. From equal job opportunities, skills development; empowerment, ownership; partnership BEE really seeks to improve ALL of these challenges South Africans are faced with daily.

It is time we mobilize the essence of BEE and we start looking at the positive of ever situation, instead of allowing the media to bombard us with their ideas and what they want us to believe. I feel our Finance Minister Praveen Gordan and his team needs to assist us strongly, enforcing the BEE program in every company; so that together we can grow and develop our country.