The
maiden edition was a test phase for significance and the Retreat in its second
edition would also provide an opportunity to engage with leading social
entrepreneurs, mentoring with leading personalities or institution in South
Africa in honor of Late Madiba and visitation to high profile tourist centers.
Channel
O Headquarters, Shoprite Holdings, JCI South Africa, Rotary Club of South
Africa District 9300, Global Shapers Tshwane, the United Nations and the
Residence of the Nigeria Consular General are some of the places it hope to
conquer alongside the Apartheid Museum, Pretoria and Soweto city tour with a
special tribute at the Mandela’s bay, Mandela house and Mandela burial site.
Resident
Representatives in South Africa would also be appointed for The Innovation
Apartment Africa.
Excerpts of the Convener Speech on
the Fear: Madiba Memoirs
and the Spirit of Giving
Our Fearless Edition is tagged the
“Madiba Memoirs” and is all about taking risks, confronting our greatest fears
and saving lives without losing any involved. Every journey we embark on in
life is a risk and nothing is certain. Anyone’s life is a risk and nothing is
certain. Life can change in the blink of an eye, and this seems especially true
for Nelson Mandela.
I personally admire South Africa’s
First Black President, the ex-boxer, lawyer, and prisoner number 46664 who
paved the way to racial reconciliation with well-chosen gestures of
forgiveness. Sometimes, the unexpected reminds us of our most inspiring
expectation of ourselves and of others. He lunched with the prosecutor, who
sent him to jail, sang the apartheid- era Afrikaans anthem at his inauguration,
and travelled hundreds of miles to have tea with widow of Hendrick Verwoerd, the
prime minister at the time he was imprisoned. Mandela also helped seal his
country’s bid to become the first in Africa to host the world cup.
Many public spirited institutions or
individuals are yet to conquer the strong reluctance to only give a “Gift that
gives back”, or seek returns in Investments for Charity Initiatives, asking
“What is in it for me?” Would it not be
better to look back at our lives without regrets because we asked “What can I
do for my community, my state, my country or the world at large”? Not “what can
my country do for me”? Mandela
is an iconic African leader who exemplified this character.
As we honor those who swim against
the current of giving back without seeking attention to themselves, we are
proud to align with The Innovation
Apartment Africa, constant enthusiasm, we all worked towards the same purpose
of “Giving Gifts that Give Back” despite the uncertainties.
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