in this issue

THE NEWSLETTER FOR U.S.- S.A. EXCHANGE ALUMNI

issue 3 july 2012

South Africa’s FirstAlumni Indaba

Eccentric English

Job Opportunity

Alumni News

Dear friend,

I write this column one month after the conclusion of the first-ever gathering of South African and American alumni of U.S. exchange programs. If you were able to join us in June in the beautiful (but freezing!) town at the Mount Grace Hotel in Magaliesberg, you know what a spectacular indaba it was. Over 150 alumni got together to remember their own overseas exchange experiences, help prepare the latest group of South Africans about to venture to America with good advice, and plan for future activities. It was the most marvelous and uplifting two days I have experienced in a long time. From some of our youngest alumni,

many of whom participated last year in the Young African Women Leaders Forum with Michelle Obama to alumni who travelled abroad decades ago (our eldest alumnus studied in the U.S. on a Fulbright Scholarship in 1976!), we all learned more about one another, made new friends and discussed ways the U.S. and South Africa can collaborate more effectively to help build a better future for everyone.

I have so many great memories from the Indaba - from the inspiring keynote speeches by former Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo, U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Virginia Palmer and Busara Leadership Partner CEO Dudu Msomi (who told us frankly about both the upsides and downsides of her U.S. experience, and how she turned challenges into rewarding new opportunities); to the personal stories I heard from many alumni during the introductions; to the passion and creativity of every breakout session; to

South Africa’s First Alumni Indaba

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U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Virginia Palmer

Former Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo

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South Africa’s First Alumni Indaba

2012 Alumni Indaba Opening Remarks (Excerpt)

the lavish diet-busting buffet meals; to the welcome interaction between South African alumni and U.S. Fulbrighters and English Teaching Assistants throughout the indaba; to the many creative ideas expressed in our Saturday morning

dialogue; and to the wildly entertaining yet thought-provoking closing speeches by eTV’s Jeremy Maggs and the South African Football Association’s Robin Peterson. It was an incredible event, and if you missed it, one of the indaba’s final resolutions was to do a similar meeting again next year. And if you can’t wait until 2013 and live in the Cape Town or Durban area, we are planning events there, too! Cape Town will host the next indaba, on September 14-15, so if you’re interested in attending, please let us know soon and we’ll book your place. Durban is also planning an indaba later this year - more details coming soon!

Finally, as anyone who attended the June indaba knows, it took an incredible amount of work to put this first event together, and the person who managed all details and took on the lion’s share of the workload is Jacques Wiese. Jacques has been an outstanding Alumni Coordinator for the U.S. Mission and has helped build our network from 0 members to almost 4,000 registered alumni in less than one year. But rather than rest on his laurels, Jacques has decided to move on to new challenges and is taking on a training coordination job at Hyundai. We will miss Jacques

immensely, but are looking for someone to fill a portion of his shoes (see the job announcement on page 6 of this newsletter). It would be ideal to get someone who is already an alumnus / alumna to take on this position, so please help us spread the word!

Sincerely,

Karl StoltzCountry Public Affairs OfficerU.S. Embassy - Pretoriastoltzke@state.gov

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Welcome to the 2012 Alumni Indaba! As far as we know, this is the first-ever gathering of South African and America alumni and participants in U.S. exchange programs. Since it’s the first Indaba we have ever held, we thought we would hold it close to the Cradle of Humankind so we could start at the beginning and see what happens next.

All of you have traveled a long way in your lives. Not only to get here today, but in your personal journeys of development. And those of us who have done a lot of traveling know what benefits it brings to our understanding of other cultures, and our understanding of ourselves and our homeland.

The American author Mark Twain once said, “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.” So I congratulate all of you on your exchange experiences and look forward to learning from your wisdom at this indaba.

One hundred and twenty-five years ago, in 1887, one of the first African students to ever travel to the United States began his overseas study at Oberlin College in Ohio. During his time in America, he met the African-American educator Booker T.

Washington at Tuskegee Institute, and brought his ideas on education back to South Africa, where he founded the Inanda school in KwaZulu Natal. The same person went on, 100 years ago this year, to help found and serve as the first President of the African National Congress. His name was John Langalibalele Dube.

John Dube did not travel to America on a Fulbright grant or Humphrey Fellowship, since they did not exist at that time. But 66 years ago, in 1946, Senator William Fulbright created the scholarships that bear his name, seeking to avoid another world war by using government money to promote peace and mutual understanding, rather than prejudice and war. We

“It was the most marvelous and uplifting two days I have experienced in a long time.”

By Karl Stoltz, Minister-Counselor for Public Affairs, U.S. Embassy, Mount Grace Hotel, Magaliesberg - June 8, 2012

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eTV’s Jeremy MaggsDudu Msomi

The recent Alumni Indaba in Gauteng was a wonderful opportunity to network and share insights in preparation of my [Young African Leaders Mentoring Program] visit to the U.S. from 10 June to 1 July 2012. The objective of my visit was to reinforce the United States’ commitment to supporting African responses to Africa’s challenges and emphasizing young Africans’ ability to generate innovative solutions for their communities.

I was part of the 8-member Philadelphia team and was mentored by Dr. Felicity Paxton from The University of

Pennsylvania’s Women’s Center. As if having a committed mentor from an Ivy League school wasn’t memorable enough, I also visited the Sound of Philadelphia Studios from which my musical heroes, Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff, recorded music for soul legends like the O’Jays and Teddy Pendergrass. I attended the National Council for Research on Women at Georgetown University and learnt about the importance of the election year for women’s groups. I came to the conclusion that although women in America had made great strides, like

South African women, they still had a long way to go. Navigating Washington D.C, Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York and Chicago I was immediately struck by the surprising extent of urban poverty and the number of homeless and poor people begging on the street. It reminded me of the destitute in South Africa’s cities.

As I reflect on the 2012 YAL program I have more memories than I have space to write. I treasure the newly-formed friendships that I have with my fellow members and the knowledge I gained from them about situations in their home countries. On balance, it was a very rewarding opportunity and one that I remain proud to have been part of. I hope that, with input from the Alumni Network, the Department of State will continue to implement and make improvements to such programs so that we continue to learn from and share with one another.

It is an inestimable privilege to be included in the esteemed group of 2012 Young African Leaders. Thanks again for making it possible for me!

Ms. Refiloe Seseane, Founder, 18twenty8

are honored to have many Fulbright scholars and students and Humphrey Fellows with us today, both American and South Africans, including almost 30 South Africans who are about to set off to the United States in the next few months to begin their personal odysseys.

We have alumni of many other exchange programs here today as well, including some of our newest programs, like the Young African Women Leaders initiative, started just last year when U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama visited South Africa; the Fortune 500 women leaders program; the English Teaching Assistant program, which brings young Americans to South Africa to teach in local high schools and universities; and special English teaching, sports and cultural programs that are part of our citizens’ exchange programs. But I would also like to mention our oldest exchange program, the IVLP.

72 years ago, in 1940, the first participants in the International Visitor Leadership Program traveled to the United States of America. Tens of thousands of leaders and future leaders from around the world have participated in IVLPs since then,

including hundreds of South Africans, some of whom are with us here today. They include two UN Secretary Generals, many Presidents and Prime Ministers, and many leaders in other professions...

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Young African Leaders Initiative last month in the U.S. Refiloe Seseane (4th from the right) was one of 3 South African participants.

Reflections on the Alumni Indaba

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By Refiloe Seseane, Young African Leaders Initiative participant

Attentive Alumni

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Alumni News

The United States Mission is one of the proud sponsors of the University of the Free State’s International Institute for Studies in Race, Reconciliation and Social Justice. The University, rocked by a notorious racial incident four years ago, has under the leadership of its Fulbright alumnus, Vice Chancellor Jonathan Jansen, devoted itself to transforming relations on campus.

The U.S. Mission has been assisting the university since September 2010 by helping to send more than 170 students to the U.S. to learn about campus diversity and tolerance in an American context. The South African students live with American roommates and immerse themselves in student life to learn how U.S. students and administrations deal with race relations, religious differences, sexual orientation, disabilities and other issues.

This month, the university is hosting over 160 international visitors at its Global Leadership Summit, as part of the program, and staff members from the Consulate General in Johannesburg were there for the opening ceremony. Consul General Earl Miller and Public Affairs staff accepted Extraordinary Service awards from Professor Jonathan Jansen, one of the true heroes of South Africa.

Transformative Leadership in Education

U.S. Fulbright-Hayes alumna Elizabeth Perrill, Assistant Professor at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, launched her latest book, Zulu Pottery, at the Durban Art Gallery on June 12. Zulu Pottery follows her previously published book on South African ceramics. The book traces contemporary Zulu ceramics from northern KwaZulu-Natal, where ongoing traditions are kept alive, to the heart of Durban, where artists are transforming this dynamic local art form. Professor Perrill’s continuing research in rural and urban South Africa seeks to tie together the rich history and contemporary dynamism of Zulu ceramic traditions.

Alumna Launches Book on Zulu Pottery

Consul General Earl Miller and staff accepting extraordinary service awards from Professor Jansen

Professor Jonathan Jansen

EducationUSA Advisor Susan Knowles with author Elizabeth Perrill, who hopes her book will reach a broad audience in South Africa and around the world.

Zulu woman at a reconstructed traditional village in South Africa rolling clay for pottery making.

Alumni News

Share your news, stories, projects and thoughts with us. Please e-mail Chris at duplessisc@state.gov

gbaku / Wikimedia Commons / cc-by-sa-2.0

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Maryam Manuel, a young, Cape Town-based entrepreneur in the sand mining sector, recently returned from a month in the United States as a participant in the FORTUNE/U.S. State Department Global Women’s Mentoring Partnership program which saw her travel to New York, Washington DC and Arkansas. Paired with Susan Chambers,

FORTUNE participant returns from “life changing experience”

I was one of 18 African delegates to participate in “U.S. Approaches to Supporting Survivors of Gender Based Violence,” an International Visitor Leadership Program designed for African activists. In May, we started in Washington, DC and proceeded to Minot, North Dakota; Rapid City, South Dakota; Austin, Texas and ended up in San Francisco. The program stimulated a lot of thinking, clarified perceptions and prompted new ideas. It was an eye-opening exercise that strengthened the advocacy and networking strategies among our 18 countries. It also made us laugh and cry as we shared our experiences as individuals.

I was proud to be representing South Africa in the group because Americans we met cited South Africa as a leader with good policies and laws. I have started to share with my colleagues our best practices and our group is determined to share information and knowledge as we go forward.

In North Dakota, our group was presented with a red ceremonial robe called “Star Quilt” and I was chosen by the group to accept it on their behalf. Currently in South Africa, the quilt will tour all 18 countries.

I would like to thank the staff at the U.S. Consulate General in Johannesburg, the Department of Social Development for allowing me to participate and lastly all the American Interpreters and Program Officers for their supporting role.

Ngiyabonga kakhulu!

Anna SitholeSocial Work Policy ManagerDepartment of Social Development

A Brand New Alumna Reports on Her Program

Alumni News

Maryam with her mentor, Susan Chambers of Walmart

Maryam with the Sam’s Club team on a surprise inspection visit to Orlando stores

Anna Sithole with the Star Quilt

an Executive Vice President at Walmart’s Corporate Headquarters in Bentonville, AK, Maryam had a wonderful, rich and mutually rewarding program with Walmart. She also participated in several leadership development events organized by Vital Voices in New York and Washington, and mingled with powerful women, including

a surprise visit with Secretary Clinton. Maryam reported that her experience was “life changing.” She found everyone to be extremely friendly, courteous, and respectful, and she was comfortable sharing her own experience as a Muslim woman from South Africa trying to break into the male-dominated world of sand-mining.

J O B O P P O R T U N I T Y Alumni and Academic Exchange Program Coordinator

The Public A�airs Section seeks a full-time Alumni and Academic Exchange Program Coordinator, who could work out of our Consulates in Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town or the Embassy in Pretoria.

The position is responsible for the national development of alumni programming to promote greater contact and cooperation among former program participants and ongoing U.S. Mission activities.

The coordinator would also identify and recruit candidates for our academic exchange programs.

A university degree from a 4-year institution is required as is three years experience in developing and organizing seminars, programs and outreach activities.

For more information, please go to http://southafrica.usembassy.gov/job_opportunities.html and apply at http://americanembassy.pnet.co.za.

Applications must be completed by close of business Monday, August 6.

Get in touch with your fellow alumni and find out what they're up to.To join the group:If you are already on Facebook1. Go to https://www.facebook.com/alum.connex2. You will see, "Alum only shares some

information publicly. If you know Alum, send him a friend request or message him.."

3. Click on "send him a friend request"!If you are not yet on Facebook1. Go to http://www.facebook.com2. Complete the fields under "Sign Up"3. Once you have created your Facebook profile, complete steps 1 - 3 above

... South African Alumni have their own Facebook group?

Alumni IndabaCape Region

DateSeptember 14 and 15, 2012VenueVineyard Hotel, Newlands Cape Town

The U.S. Consulate General in Cape Town will host its inaugural “Alumni Indaba” on Friday, September 14 and Saturday, September 15 in Cape Town, Western Cape. The event is open to all U.S. Department of State exchange program alumni who reside in the Eastern, Western and Northern Cape regions. Mark your calendars! Formal invites and additional details to come. For more information, please contact Kari Cousins at 021-674-5180 or projects@spiritofafrica.co.za.

Save the Date!

ECCENTRIC ALUMNI ENGLISH • by Karl Stoltz

The English language draws from the words of many cultures and tongues to create the strange styles we use today. I hope this column helps you understand some of our more unusual expressions, and the odd history of our English.

the 4th of July: there’s nothing too special about July 4, 1776, in U.S. history – it is not the day the Declaration of Independence was written (it was finished months earlier); nor the day America formally declared independence from Great Britain (that was July 2, 1776); nor the day the Declaration was signed (that began on August 2, after the draft had been transcribed onto proper parchment; the last signature on it was not added until 1781); nor is it the day the Declaration was first read to the public (that was July 8, 1776). So why do we party on the 4th? Because John Dunlop, who printed it, started making copies of the original on July 4, 1776, and he put that date on the top of his printed copies. So every year we celebrate a printer’s error.

Fireworks: no, they aren’t a modern invention: the Chinese created them 2000 years ago, and fireworks were used to celebrate America’s first Independence Day holiday in 1777. But until the 1900s, they were called “rockets.” That’s what we mean by “rocket’s red glare” in the National Anthem, since NASA wasn’t around back then. If you’re wondering about “the bombs bursting in air,” we didn’t have B-52s back then, either. “Bombs” was short for “bombardments.” Cannons were very unpredictable in the 19th century (you had to cut the cannonball fuse to just the right length, so the ball would explode when it reached its target -- too long a fuse and it would not explode; too short and it would turn into

a fireworks display en route. So what Francis Scott Key was really trying to say in his Star-Spangled Banner was that the British failed to destroy Fort McHenry back in 1815, but they managed to put on a great fireworks show that night.

Uncle Sam: this universal symbol of America most likely got his name because military-issue uniforms and goods in the Civil War were often stamped U.S. (for “United States”). Some solider thought it clever to tell his squad that the new gear came from “my Uncle Sam,” and the name stuck around. The bearded fellow in striped pants began in Thomas Nast’s political cartoons of the 1860s, and was later made famous by World War I’s “I want YOU” recruiting posters.

Yankee: this universal name for Americans (and a NY baseball team) is from Janke, a Dutch nickname for someone named Jan. Yankee Doodle was originally a joke song enjoyed by British soldiers in what is now New York City. Its lyrics basically meant, “Little Johnny, a Dutch farm hick, comes to Manhattan riding on a farm pony instead of a proper horse. He stuck a bird feather in his hat to pretend he is a dandy.” In those days, macaroni did not come with cheese – it referred to a pretentious young man who dressed in the latest feathery Italian fashions.

Hamburger: no, there’s no ham in it. Its name is from the city of Hamburg. German immigrants in America brought with them their taste for diced beef, usually served raw or lightly cooked, called Hamburger steak.

The jobs they got in America didn’t allow them time to sit down for a hot lunch, so they began to eat their Hamburger steak on a bun, with pickles, onions, special sauce, lettuce, and cheese. In 1940, a couple of brothers in California, Maurice and Richard McDonald, came up with the idea of pre-cooking hamburgers so they could be served without a long wait (the first fast-food). And the rest is McHistory.

Hot Dogs: along with hamburgers, German immigrants brought love of sausages to America, with many varieties named for their city of origin, including Vienna sausages (“Wieners” in German) and those from Frankfurt (“Frankfurters,” or franks). But the idea of putting them into buns began on the Coney Island boardwalk, and people soon started to sell them everywhere, including baseball games. Harry Stevens, a sausage-vendor at the Polo Grounds (the old home of the NY Giants) steamed the roll first and added relish and mustard. His sausages looked like long little dogs, so he called them dachshund sausages. The sports cartoonist T.A. Dorgan renamed them “hot dogs” in his cartoons, and soon everyone was eating them with great relish.

Karl Stoltz is the Country Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy

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