South African Nurses Conference

DENOSA, the organization I work for hosted a Nurses Conference on 16-18 October 2013. The conference was a resounding success nurses from all spheres participated. Minister of Health, Minister of Public Service and MEC Health graced us with their presence. I had a poster presentation (presenting DENOSA International work) but spent 80% of the conference at the VIP lounge as part of the protocol team. It was SAME OLD WORK for me until the Cocktail party!! See pics below...

 

 Justice, me, Heather  and Weziwe

 

 Weziwe & I

 

Anthony Stanco Jazz Ensemble and ooh smelling delicious

Last week Monday I attended the Anthony Stanco Jazz Ensemble concert at the Market Theatre in Johannesburg. Anthony Stanco Jazz Ensemble was brought to South Africa by the US Embassy on a music/cultural tour. I must say when it comes to music I prefer to hear words than just instruments.. Buuuwaa right? But these so talented gentlemen completely wowed me.

Interesting part of the evening? When I was posing for a photo with them,  Anthony goes " Wow you smell delicious". Now, I've never had anyone say that to me so I was a bit taken back, in a good way though. I could only afford  " hahaha thank you?" as a response. There is a first for everything hey?

I guess we have Stella McCartney to thank for my delicious smell as I was wearing Stella that evening. I love to smell good, I don't think there is anything I make sure I never run out of like perfumes. Stella is one of my favourite scents.

Anthony Stanco Jazz Ensemble and I

 

 

I can see the Statue of Liberty already... small of course

How can I forget to share this....

Last month I received a letter from the United State Embassy (South Africa) stating that the US Johannesburg Consular nominated yours truly to participate in the International Visitor Leadership Program. I started this nomination process in February so by June I'd thought I was not considered. When the letter arrived I was ecstatic. If all goes well (and it will, because I am not a criminal) I will be in the US next year February.

I can't wait to meet the other participants, people that I share commonalities with, to experience the US live instead of TV. The environment, the politics, the culture.... ooh I bet it will be an experience of a lifetime.

Leadership Bush Camp

On the weekend of 23-25 August I had an opportunity to attend a bush camp planned for youth. The Rotary Youth Leadership Awards camp was organised by the Rotary Club of Hatfield -my club.

I had fun and learned quite a lot on leadership and the qualities that one must have to pass as a good leader. The bonus were the game drives of course - we were in the wild as the camp was held at Dinokeng Game Reserve in Kwalata Game ranch, North of Pretoria South Africa. I saw only two of the Big Five though (Rhino and the Buffalo). Apparently the lions and the other two were on the other side of the reserve that Kwalata didn't have permission to.

All in all,  it was a weekend well spent socially and for my own personal development.

Check out the photos:-)

                                 The cabin we slept in, those beds are not ideal even for camp

                                           Crazy bunch I was with

                                                  Did see Giraffe, lots of them

                                         The African in African Safari lol

A new week, a new beginning

Today marks the beginning of a new week, a new start and a way to do things better than last week. It will be a busy week for me but I am planning to make the most of it. I have a workshop on Thursday and Friday in Johannesburg and BUSH CAMP over the weekend. Couldn't be more excited! Spending the whole weekend in the bush.

Donor funding not always great

I hosted 10 countries (Botswana, Norway, Malawi, Mauritius, Rwanda, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe) last week. It was a good network meeting, nurses in the SADC region sharing and exchanging ideas on issues complex to them as nurses' trade unions.

What this network meeting taught me,  is the power and danger of donor funding. It is quite sad that funders flaunt their money and use it to their advantage - poor nations must just get on with the program whether they like it or not. I learnt that when you are poor you do not set your own agenda. Others decide for you, you are told what to do, what is important for you and how it should be done. Funny part is, they're constantly reminded "  you can do things that suit your needs, change things around to suit your objectives" but when they actually try to do that, the donor doesn't allow it because of this and that.

It really saddens me to see Africa in the situation she is in. Will my continent ever  be truly free? Will it ever set its own agenda without any interference?

ALUTA CONTINUA.......

Breakfast meeting and some dose of inspiration

This morning I had to wake up at 05:00 AM so that I could be at my breakfast meeting by 06:30 AM. The breakfast meeting was at the Sheraton hotel hosted by the Rotary Club of Hatfield – my club. Today we didn’t really discuss any activity except for fellow Rotarian Gerrit who shared with us a project he is initiating, where an Index with information/centers that assist disabled individuals will be developed. This of course will assist people with disabilities find their way around, whether it is skills development, work opportunities, business opportunities etc. etc.  This is why I am in Rotary – being surrounded by inspiring people.

A young club member, Daniel, is going to Russia (only 18 people globally were chosen for Russia by Microsoft) and then wait for it… travel between Africa, Eastern Europe and the US for two years. This guy is an IT guru, he develops Apps *as they are called* for Microsoft. Another young club member, Tracy, she was in France for a month to explore business opportunities. I haven’t really had time the time to ask her about it but I can guess it was a fruitful trip. When I say young I mean less than 30 years. Inspired yet? I know I am.

With Daniel and Sune - at my induction last month.

It was a great night for me, I was inducted at the Cocktail dinner during the International Peace Forum at UNISA. Among the dignitaries present at my induction was UNISA Principal and Vice-Chancellor Prof. Mandla Makhanya and he personally congratulated me. Yes I was flattered.

 

Why blog

So I figured, blogging works well when it comes to compiling information on one's life. I want to create a file on my life without really doing it. How so? by sharing my life on this blog. My dreams, hopes, successes, failures, happiest moments and sad moments.