Final week at Michigan State University!
Man alive! I am my ancestors’ wildest dreams, and I don’t take that lightly. It is a responsibility and a blessing that will always serve as the ultimate highlight of my entire existence.
I graduated from Michigan State University (MSU), the home of Spartans, I am now a GLOBAL SPARTAN – you better put some respect on my name child! What an incredible journey it has been at Michigan State University in East Lansing. It was a stay I never thought my soul needed. I experienced a euphoria I haven’t felt in years. I felt alive and at home and this is largely because of the staff at MSU and the fellows who poured their all in the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders 2024.
Before I left home, I went to my grandfather’s kraal to ask for a clear path and protection from all harm – known and unknown. This is a custom we practice every time we are about to journey to far and unknown lands so that our ancestors can locate us anywhere in the world. I asked for good health and energy as I have felt fatigued for quite some time. When I say the underground gang came through for me, believe me, they did, they delivered in a major way. The girl was energised, the girl was having fun, and the girl was alive with possibilities.
For the past years, I have buried myself in my job serving the people of my province in the Eastern Cape at the Eastern Cape Office of the Premier. It is the poorest province in South Africa yet so rich in culture and history. This is why it is called the home of legends. Tat’u Mandela was born and raised there. I love my job with every fibre of my being because it aligns with my life’s purpose of serving others. It has given me endless opportunities that have led to this lifetime experience.
I am mostly grateful to my supervisors and the big bosses in my workplace for allowing me to take some time off and live this dream. Shout out to the Eastern Cape Office of the Premier for being invested in their employees’ development and empowerment.
Being a Mandela Washington Fellow is not child’s play, in my language IsiXhosa we say” Ayondlwan’iyanetha” translating to “it isn’t a small raining house”. It took me a long time for me to realise it but being here has cleared so many things for me. I had forgotten how to dream for many reasons and one of them was my deteriorating health that robbed me of my independence. So, how do you even begin to dream when you feel like you are sinking into nothingness? Who knew that I would find healing in the US. I feel rejuvenated as if I have been offered a new lease on life and that excites me so much because it means I will now live my life in abundance.
I graduated this week from an international University, one of the best research universities in the world and the leading land-grant institution in the country. That’s a long way for this disabled lady to travel. I am immensely blessed and eternally grateful to God and my ancestors, to the US Department of State, the US Embassy in South Africa, IREX and Michigan State University.
I have met 24,wonderful African leaders from 17 different countries. A group of diligent, driven, motivated and change agents who love the African continent and live their lives in making sure that no one is left behind. They do the Lord’s work braving it all for the betterment of their people. To say my soul is nourished is an understatement. I am fulfilled and eternally changed.
No one will ever convince me otherwise, that what we shared here was purely magical. My faith in humanity has been restored. It is true that all things come together for our good. I may doubt it most time, but I acknowledge it now. The power of faith and belief in God’s timing.
I am a better person for having met each one of them. I will miss our academic sessions, cultural activities, the walks and talks down Cedar Village by the river at ungodly hours to the 7-11 church, the basement games and dancing, the Kenyan teas and chapati bread and the long warm squishy, mushy wholesome hugs. We had built an ubuntu African village and represented our countries with rigour and passion. We have made our ancestors proud.
To the Michigan State University MWF2024 cohort: May all your dreams come true, filling your gorgeous hearts with boundless joy and endless wonder. Africa is in good hands!
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