Monday, January 2, 2012

SANIBONANI - Power in Development




The day of my departure for the Royal Land of Swaziland arrived faster than i could say my name. Thursday the 29th of December 2011, is the day i had been waiting for ever since i was informed that i had been selected for the Short Course. I remember clearly waking up at 8am on that particular day, living Randburg at 10am so as to be on time for the meeting time, 12noon, at the OR Tambo Johannesburg International Airport. I was driven to the
Gautrain Station in Sandton, by a fellow friend i had just met in South Africa for Christmas, his name is George. As an individual who loves traveling, part of my journey to Swaziland was to experience new things in a new space, so then what a better way to start off than to use the popular 2010 World Cup mode transport. From all the things that were constructed in South Africa during the FIFA World Cup, the Gautrain was surely one of the most creative model that benefited the citizens of this "rainbow nation."


As individuals driven by the need to make differences in the Global Community, it was not hard for us, the participants to network amongst ourselves. I would say for many, it was love at first sight, while with others they are yet to find their love. The 6hour journey from Johannesburg to Mbabane was a smooth ride, with the border posts being the smoothest of them all. I should say, i have never been to such "hustle free" immigration point, as the Swaziland one. I was truly honored and stunned at the smooth sailing through the border of South Africa and Swaziland. (AMAZING). 7pm, we were in Swaziland where we were welcomed by the humid, yet refreshing atmosphere of the Swati people. Trust me, hospitality oozes through even a cat in Swaziland.


The first day, Friday the 30th, was pretty much about the introduction to the short course and how we will work closely with the facilitator in achieving this dream that we all shared, Development. We had a questioning session in the morning, where one would go to an answer that they think is true and then justify their choice. All the questions were based on development, namely educational, economical, health and human rights. We had lots of fun during the afternoon where we had tasks to complete in groups up the hilly side of Waterford Kamhlaba, UWC of Southern Africa. The first activity of the course, was aimed at promoting team work, i was really impressed by that. But, believe me this was really tiring. I clearly recall going to sleep and then dropping dead on my single bed.


Saturday the 31st, the New Years Eve, Bye Bye 2011. Its unbelievable that we are already in 2012, new year, new friends and new dreams to be achieved with them. I love this feeling so much, it reminds me of the ability that each and everyone of us holds within themselves. One spectacular highlight of my stay thus far is the performance by the Swati participants and facilitators. I loved the way they would just move their bodies in such an admirable way, yet celebrating diversity and in respect of their culture. That was just, but a mere introduction to the Swati Culture. An interesting presentation on Swaziland and the myths that its society has adapted to for the past years, was just a highlighter into my new home for the next 15 days. 1pm, we left for Manzini where we had many treasure hunt games around the place named after water. The trip to Manzini by a public bus was just a life time moment. We traveled all the way for the 1hour with a man performing for us in the bus. After such a tiring day, we managed to come back to Mbabane where we celebrated our New Years Eve with music and food. :-)


2012, thank you for coming so fast and bearing new opportunity for everyone. Unfortunately, i fell sick during the first day of the new year. But the weather here is so unpredictable, my eyes have to take turns to blink. To day its hot, tomorrow its cold, so goes for the mornings and afternoons. My Umbrella Team was making breakfast for the rest of the participants, so we had to wake up early to prepare the food. :-) We had an interesting activity which highlighted how the Global Society works. It involved the of unequal sharing of resources to different countries across t he world. From those same resources, the countries were expected to build equal infrastructural and necessities. The second activities involved workshops on critic thinking and presentations. but, with a little help from my Nigerian, Tanzanian and German sisters, i managed to pull through my sickness.

Monday the 2nd of January, was another interesting day with diverse contents. Our first activity was about power, having the ability within ones sphere and implementing that power. We had an energizer that involved a lot of losing weight by throwing fists and kicks everywhere. After the long works we take up the hilly lands everyday, i am so shocked that he facilitator thought that we needed some more exercise. :-) Soon after the throwing of our body parts in different directions, we then went for a presentation on Power and its different types. i loved this presentation because it brought to light some aspects that we think are rightful yet detected. The presentation by the the History Teacher of Waterford, was exciting. The lady is just one funny personnel i have ever met. So far the boring presentation of the course is the one on MDGs by the Swazi man who represented the local Ministry. I remember sleeping and waking up to the gentleman talking after i had slept for a while. C'etais incroyable! But like they say, you always learn from the unbelievable moments of your life. The presentation brought a new realization of the unemployment rate of the Royal Land. And by the way, i enjoyed the food it was good and so much. I am Gilmore .T. Moyo, a Participant, Global Citizen, Activist and of Zimbabwean Nationality. I am looking forward to taking you through the Swazi journey, through my eyes.


I'm Out :-)

Gilmore .T. Moyo (www.twitter.com/GilmoreTee)




1 comment:

  1. Hey! Thats very interesting, its great to have notices about Swaziland!! Good luck and enjoy it!!

    ReplyDelete