Being Called (Graduation speech)

When it comes to leadership, I have always believed that many are chosen but few are Called.

That is what the South Africa- Washington International Program has been for me, an acquaintance and introduction to my calling of being a servant of society. Good evening ladies and gentlemen.

My name is Li’Tsoanelo Zwane, a product of the native yards of Gugulethu and a proud member of the SAWIP class of 2014. When I have to talk about or reflect on my SAWIP journey, I can never have dry eyes whilst doing so. Maybe I am an emotional person by nature or that is just the magnitude of the impact SAWIP has made on me not only as a young leader but as a human being as well.

The past year has been absolutely amazing. With all the academic pressures of being in final year and my parents’ constant reminders of “Cum Laude or nothing”, SAWIP sessions with my team mates were unfathomably soothing. Knowing that we would be involved in a robust discussion about a particular topic and that I would see the faces of my team mates, my friends, my family, was an inexplicable feeling. If I’m being completely honest, I would say that some of the best moments of my life have been experienced with my team. I have cried with them, laughed with them, I have even done both simultaneously. And in Washington, I relied on them a lot.

Going to DC and New York was my first time leaving home. My parents have always been my anchors- literally and figuratively. I remember the morning of our departure, I had not slept the night before and I lay in bed paralysed by anxiety. Knowing that I would have my friends offered comfort. Throughout our time in DC and New York,the support of my friends, the late-night talks, visits to monuments and the hugs which were always in abundance, got mr through the challenges which I faced.

Unlike the rest of the team, who were all placed within affluent environments, I worked in Anacostia which reminded me of my beloved Gugulethu. The socio-economic ills resembled my home; the streets were always full, there were always people conversing over fence and the friendliness of the people was a replica of the Ubuntu I had grown up with in my township. Being in Anacostia allowed me to reflect on the situation back home and how much work still awaits in lessening the socio-economic gaps. I enjoyed being able to share my reflections with my team and management. The fact that everyone was so interested in seeing the other side of DC, and engage with the issues which were present, made me hopeful that the future of our country was in good hands.

SAWIP has been an extra-ordinary experience. I often think of myself when I started the program; I felt like the odd one out and I was intimidated by my incredible team mates who I have not only come to care about but also deeply love. I always thought, "Who am I to be part of this team?” As we became engaged in the program, that question changed to, “Who am I not to be part of this team?” This team of 18 incredible young minds devoted to social change. I overcame my own inferiority complexes and perceived inadequacies and allow myself, through the program, to ascend to higher levels of consciousness and conscientization. I realized that it was not the time to be a shrinking violet and who I was could not possibly answer my country’s call for servant leadership.

That’s what SAWIP does, it takes you to a place where you don’t have a choice but to confront your internal issues, question your values and beliefs- refine them and become the person who you were always capable of becoming. Through the team selection stages, your power was evident, the program endeavours to acquaint you with new dimensions of your power. I discovered parts of me I did not know existed, I discovered parts of my consciousness, leadership and personality which had been unused for so long. I also became comfortable with being vulnerable and allowing others to see it. Being soft and strong is a combination that only a few can master. Life lived under the misguided notions of what it means to be strong, makes us miss opportunities of connecting with others, and connecting with aspects which are central to who we are.

I once said that SAWIP is like a spiritual awakening; it reignited my passion to devote my life to the good fight, it helped me re-evaluate my values- refine some and discard others altogether. It also helped me realize my courage in doing the deep internal work required in order for me to discover my purpose. Being honest with others is a sign of integrity but being able to be honest with one’s self is a sign of immeasurable courage.

I will always be eternally grateful to SAWIP, to my friends and management for the lessons, the love and the opportunity to become the person that I am today. I think words are far too insignificant and cheap to articulate my gratitude, so the best way would be to incorporate the values of the program into all that I am. After all, the program thinks so highly of all of us that it deems us perfectly capable of doing so. We hold the key to our country’s potential, it is now up to us to use that key to unlock our country’s prosperity.