By: Tiragalo Josephine Masibi
The highlight of my Mandela Washington Fellowship is the warm hospitality and responsiveness of the University of Georgia Team. For a first-time USA visitor, tours of the University, the World of Coke, the Aquarium, the Civil and Human Museum and the State Capitol in Atlanta were great gateways into US history, US governance, and tourism. I left with a fresh understanding of how diversity indeed brings out the best out of societies when well embraced and the guiding principles of US society. I also learned through the Russel Group of Companies, Senior Hunger Coalition, and Books for Africa, to mention a few that change, real societal change takes endurance, planning, selflessness and years, therefore, one step at a time in the right direction is never too late.
Additionally, I learned numerous concepts and approaches which have forced me to introspect and identify ways for both personal development and professional development, namely: evidence-based strategies of doing difficult conversations in diverse cultural, political, and religious and the importance of defining values, expectations, and goals for sustainable organizational development and strategic planning elements. Throughout these modules, themes of democratic representation, inclusive decision making, people-oriented solutions and problem-solving as well as sound research to have empirical evidence for any activity emerged as concepts I began to give more attention than I did prior to this fellowship. More importantly, I learned that leadership is not about having resources nor a position but rather it is rather a collective and collaborative approach process.
Going forward, I plan to utilize the strengths and skills of other people for a common goal to be achieved. I also plan to be open to including missing voices within decision making to ensure there is ownership sustainability to projects. Furthermore, following the introspective sessions I have had with myself, I plan to work on my strengths to do more than I have been doing and to find ways to overcome the weaknesses which inhibit my growth as a person and leader. I also plan to take time to thoroughly investigate and think before doing grant proposals to ensure that I apply for the right grant, with the right information and well-defined measures.
Finally, I was amazed by the Peer Court in Athens, it is such a noble initiative which taught me that indeed it takes a community to raise a child and everyone really has the capacity to effect change.
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