I remember like it was yesterday, 27th June 2013 attending a technical meeting at International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, Austria. I was young, very shy and doubted that my voice carried any weight among the giants in the room. As much as I tried very hard to concentrate to the proceedings of the workshop but my mind was all over the place, anxious about my presentation later that afternoon. As much as I was prepared I was also scared of making a fool of myself among the educated and more experienced delegates. My eyes searched around the room with a hope of finding a familiar face among the sea of white faces. I was looking for a face that will make me feel like I belong and deserve to be in that room. A face of another black woman who will encourage and cheer me when I take my stand on that podium but there was none. It was my first time attending that meeting and nominated to represent my country, South Africa in that Committee. I observed that most of the committee members knew each other and had attended previous meetings. I was unknown and felt lonely but as soon I realised that some of meeting participants knew my beloved country and had visited South Africa, that became my ticket that bought back my confidence. I decided that I will adopt the two gentlemen who showed kindness, as my tribe. I knew they will be my familiar faces I was looking for.
The news around the world that time was about the former President of South Africa, the late Nelson Mandela who was in a critical condition in hospital. As South Africans we were praying for him but being in that meeting at IAEA opened my eyes on how people from different parts of the world loved this great man from AbaThembu clan. The same Madiba clan whose seed gave birth to my mother. It was at that point my fear escaped and gratitude filled my heart. The gratitude of knowing that I was in Vienna International Centre because Tat’uMandela and his peers sacrificed a lot and created a better world that opened opportunities for me and generations to come. All of a sudden my perspective changed and I started to view things in a different way. I was excited with this new revelation that it was not just Bongiwe Mbebe in the room but South Africa and Africa was present in the room. I was determined that even if my voice is shaking and I am stuttering but I will stand on that podium as a proud South African.
At that time the project was just at infancy stage and my employer trusted me with such big task. This meant that my competence level for the topic I was going to talk about was not a match at all to my fellow colleagues in the room but I rode on the confidence that I am given an opportunity to carry the South African flag. It was exciting to receive positive feedback from my new adopted friends and the Chairperson of the meeting. That day I did not just gained friends but I gained international mentors in my career. This reminded me of Nelson Mandela quote “It is in your hands to create a better world for all who live in it”. Nelson Mandela’s generation created a better world and fought for us to get opportunities in places that was never occupied by black people before.
I decided from that day that I will never stand back, I will always step forward and grab challenging opportunities by the horn even if I am afraid. When we accept those challenging opportunities we become a voice of hope to our brothers and sisters which says there is nothing impossible to those who are determined.
As a Coach and Gardener I strive to make this world a better place by helping women in the marketplace and youth to cultivate and unlock their greatness. One of the great attributes I learned from the freedom fighters is that my agenda is not my own but of all the voiceless women I am carrying on my back. My agenda is for all my sisters to have a seat at the table of influence and I am determined to carry this forward and create a better world for the next generation.
When our people are appointed to positions of power and have a seat in the table of influence we rejoice and celebrate. When Zozi Tunzi was announced as Miss Universe, we did not just rejoice for her as an individual but her celebration was our celebration. It is the same when our sisters are appointed as CEOs, Directors and Ministers it is never about them. We celebrate them because they represent all of us and they give us hope that there is a glimpse of change in our society. We see them as the fruit of seeds planted by the generation of Winnie Mandela,Lillian Ngoyi,Helen Joseph and Sophia Williams-De Bruyn. That generation played their role and it’s now all up to us to do our part and make this world a better place for our children and the next generations.
I just have a question for you dear friend, as you are sitting comfortable in that boardroom table, whose agenda are you pushing? Always remember that your agenda is not your own but of all the people you are carrying on your back. I plead with you to use your voice wisely and take a stand for your people. Your voice is a weapon that will change lives of our people and create a better world for them. Stand up and be counted.
