Sibahle Magadla is a team manager of the South Africa-Washington International Program (SAWIP), a leadership development program which inspires, develops and supports annual teams of students and its whole alumni body to bring about community development through social projects amongst the most disadvantaged and marginalised South Africans.The SAWIP team of 2015 consists of 19 students from University of Pretoria (UP), the University of Cape Town (UCT), Stellenbosch University(SU) and the University of the Western Cape (UWC)who are selected after a rigorous application process to participate in this program which consists of leadership workshops, 5 weeks of professional exposure in Washington DC and New York, and a community service project implementation component.
As team manager, Sibahle helps with organizing the 7 month program and facilitating the growth path of the 19 students through administration and program logistics, and also supporting and mentoring the students.
Some highlights of the 5 weeks in Washington DC & New York include the following:
Meeting Congressman John Lewis: John Lewis was at the forefront of the Civil Rights movement with Rev. Martin Luther King Junior. They marched together along with many activists in Selma for the right of all U.S. citizens, including African Americans, to vote. During the meeting with John Lewis, he shared his personal journey of servant leadership from his youth and how that has translated into his role as a congressman in Capitol Hill representing the state of Georgia. Throughout the discussion with him, he reiterated the role that young South Africansplay in upholding the rights of all human beings in South Africa, especially the marginalized who are so often robbed of their dignity.
Sibahle Magadla, fellow team members and the SAWIP team of 2015 with Congressman John Lewis at Capitol Hill
Visit to the South African embassy: The team had the opportunity to interact with fellow South Africans working at the Embassy. We learned about the work they do in representing South Africa and ensuring that South Africa benefits from US-SA relations especially in the context of trade relations. With all the challenges in the country making international news such as xenophobic attacks, crime and corruption, energy shortages, etc., the team at the embassy drove the point home that in spite of all these challenges, their role is to contextualize South Africa and show US partners that our nation is still investment worthy and full of growth potential.
Sibahle Magadla standing outside the South African Embassy building with some colleagues from the Embassy
Visit to the White House. We were fortunate to see the White House and actually have a tour inside the white house building. This was a very special experience as not many people get this opportunity. Inside the White House the team had the opportunity to interact with some of President Barack Obama’s advisers and interns and engage on some of the different policies that have been implemented under Obama’s administration.
Sibahle Magadla with two fellow team managers outside the White House
Sibahle Magadla walking down the hall inside the White House
The New Work visit included a tour of the United Nations headquarters, a visit to the 9/11 memorial and also a networking event at the South African consulate:
The SAWIP team of 2015 with some members (front row) of the South African consulate in New York
The SAWIP team of 2015 inside of the assembly halls of the United Nation headquarters
The overall trip was not only a fun experience, but it afforded the team the opportunity to learn more about their country through the eyes of non-South Africans. They learnt more about development and policymaking and what leadership truly looks like – through the eyes of politicians, philanthropists, researchers, entrepreneurs, civil servants and people working in the corporate environment.