Reflecting on the 2024 UWC Africa Regional Meeting

It has been an absolute pleasure for WK to host the just concluded UWC National Committees (NC) Africa Regional Meeting (ARM) here at Waterford Kamhlaba UWCSA .In the last two days, WK was privileged to welcome not only passionate but also dedicated groups of like-minded individuals, whose work within the UWC movement touch, shape and deeply impact the lives of our young people; people who they find and support by placement into the 18 UWC schools and Colleges for an incredible and invaluable educational experience. The National Committees are truly the bridge between the UWC movement and our young people from across and beyond the African continent who, without their efforts, might never have discovered this transformative opportunity. The NCs work, by many standards, is a true depiction of the transformative power of selfless service.

As a firm believer in the power of storytelling, I was enthralled by Bonisile Nxumalo Blacknote 's performance of “Who Stole Mama’s Chicken” that captivated our attention at the start of the school assembly, marking what many would come to appreciate as a remarkably significant experience at the ARM 2024. Thank you to our Marimbas, gumboot troupes and the soulful performances by our Music students. Indeed, they were the inspiration behind my opening line in the welcome address when I stated that “it takes a village to raise a child”. It is my strong conviction that the said village can only stand solid when there is a common purpose that inspires its nurturing ability. It is against the backdrop of our UWC mission, that representatives of schools and colleges, Admissions Directors, National Committees, the UWC International Office staff, UWC Heads, as well as the Committee of National Committees congregated to explore meaningful conversations around navigating selections and providing support for students, among other themes, with the ultimate goal of educating our young people for the complex world we live in. This is a momentous task. A responsibility that by default, demands commitment, focus, dedication and strategic thinking on the part of all the above entities. In coming together, we form a strong village. This village compels us to hold space for each other, to engage in meaningful dialogues and strategize on how we enable rather than impede our progress; and how to embrace humanistic learning. This latter concept was borne from a conversation with Arden Tyoschin , Viki Stiebert , Simon Head , Dr. Spencer A. F. , Cathy Jones and Faith Abiodun . Thank you colleagues for sharing freely, intimately and trustingly. Such are the principles of a healthy village co-existence. I look forward to furthering our discussion and sharing with other colleagues across the movement.

As an attendee at the meetings, I am left deeply inspired by the heart-to-heart conversations and the sharing of context-based yet movement-aligned thinking. Equally gratifying was the sense of camaraderie among peers - new, older, younger. It didn't matter what differences in age or social constructs, we were driven by our inherent belief in the UWC mission which birthed stories of courage, resilience and enduring commitment to the UWC ideals. I am humbled by the intentionality, the service, the goodwill, the willingness to learn and to keep growing; and that our gogos (grand parents), babes (fathers), makes (mothers), aunts, uncles, distant shemejis (in-laws) or the stranger across the ridge - each have a shared understanding of the value of the intricate responsibility that comes with raising not just a Wanjiku, a Dlamini, a Lethabo, a Yasin, a Van Sehlm, a Mary, a Mohammed, a Yosef, a Максим or a Ryan in our village, but several hundreds of our young people across the world, who without the NCs would never understand what a life-changing experience a UWC education provides.

To each one of you that had the chance to set your feet on our granite rocky grounds, we at WK, hope that you were able to experience the Kamhlaba magic and that our warmth rubbed off on you, so that your hearts continue to beat to the rhythm of our motherland. To our extended family within the UWC movement, thank you for all the work you each do - for the lives you change - one deserving student at a time!