This team of ours... for those who have 'Big Ambitions'

A year ago, this team of ours was sporting bandanas and conquering the wilds of Boksburg - a rare day 'off' from the frenetic and often stressful job of communications, marketing and community building. #truestory

The world looks very different today. We could not have imagined that October just how much. But the fire you see in the faces of this team of ours has burned even brighter despite the relentless push to dive right in, to do more with less, worker longer, harder and smarter, quite often venturing into roles that were challenging, new and scary.

There's a long road ahead, but a long road stretches behind us. We've had to say goodbye to a few colleagues, been bruised in battles, lost and won some as well. We've been open to learning, rolled up our sleeves and got stuck in to help our tourism and travel community.

Almost every day has been borderline terrifying. The dogged accumulation of these terrifying days amidst increasing demands has been exhausting.

But we dig deep knowing that it's what is needed every day and that today we will be asked to do something we may not exactly know how to, to try harder, to face our fears and go over those trenches when we'd much rather be hiding under our bed eating pizza.

We did it yesterday. Of course, we can do it today... perhaps even better.

Beyond having Big Ambitions, this team of ours has a grit you couldn't begin to bottle. They show up - always - in ways that are the stuff of superheroes.

So this day, 365-odd days after the fire burned in the faces you see above, I wanted to pick out those superhero powers they may not even know they possess; those that stand out most to me.

And, to acknowledge the gargantuan sum of all these that have powered this aircraft to soar higher than most would believe possible even if we've had to fix that plane while we're flying it, at times.

Babajide Olowookere: 'Jide's superpower is drive. He has vision and the unrelenting determination to achieve it no matter how much he has to sacrifice.

Charmaine van Niekerk: Charmaine's superpower is wit. Quick off the bat, she can find humour in almost any situation to defuse tension.

Chelsey Hale: Chelsey's superpower is enthusiasm. Her growth mindset means she's happy to push beyond her comfort zone to try new things.

Claire Lathe: Claire's superpower is organisation. She has the ability to put structure and systems where these are most needed.

Danielle Taute: Danielle's superpower is agility. The speed with which Danielle gets things done is outstanding, but more than this is her willingness to help others.

Dorine Reinstein: Dorine's superpower is bravery. I don't know anyone as brave as Dorine. It's not that she doesn't have fear. It's the fact that she'll face it head-on and unflinchingly.

Emily Djock: Emily's superpower is decryption. Give her anything complicated and she will unravel all that detail into an incredible and engaging layman's summary.

Jeanette Phillips: Jeanette's superpower is resourcefulness. She may not know how to do it, but she'll always find a way to solve the problem no matter how long it takes.

Jenna Berndt: Jenna's superpower is empathy. Jenna cares deeply about others and getting things done properly and with heart and soul. She'll never leave you high and dry.

Linsey Schluter: Linsey's superpower is storytelling. Her melt-in-your-mouth way with words is utterly delicious. You'll hang on her every word. I know I do.

Mistura Olowookere: Missy's superpower is warmth. Five minutes in the company of Missy and you'll feel showered in love and support.

Roland Muller: Roland's superpower is patience. Cool as a cucumber, nothing seems to rattle our Roland. Bring him along to calm any stormy waters.

Steph Reinstein: Steph's superpower is a critical eye. This highly detailed lens and the ability to see gaps and how to solve them creatively is a gift beyond measure.

Storming through the COVID tunnel in search of light at its end, my aha moment has been this: this team of ours is a community; a small one admittedly, but one which collectively has its own superpower - the ability to build strong communities.

I'm curious and excited to see where our superpowers will take us next but for now my deep admiration for this team of ours and my thanks for everything they do for Big Ambitions.

Onward to the next trip around the sun...