All belongings were reluctantly packed for departure tomorrow and delegates began to prepare for the cultural event tomorrow evening which is always a splendid affair.

Before lunch the groups with their respective officers gathered together for “Appreciation”. Ubungani believes that delegates should remember what makes them special people and be able to see themselves how others see them. Each person is given an opportunity to say what he/she admires or appreciates about every member of the group or what special and unique qualities the person has. It is a profoundly moving experience. “Sometimes looking at yourself constructively is impossible but this activity allows people to do that for you,” says Katleho Mohono of South Africa.

 The delegates only had praise for their time at Botshebelo: “The food was so good,” said William Chan of Hong Kong. All the activities including the T-Game, says  Leo Nard Tio of Malaysia, “was very nice because I really get to know other friends better.” “It is really important to connect with people because you don’t know what the future brings,” which is how Holiness Mbem of South Africa so wisely put it.

Sadly the time came for final reflections. The delegates climbed to the top of the “koppie” (hill) behind the camp to seek peace and quiet and to watch, what for some was a first, the sun set and it did so with its usual African style and flair with a perfectly clear sky and a vast open plain to sink below. Eunbyul Rebecca Choi of Korea shared with us how different it would be if they had all met in a big city, “but here we all experience the cold the same. We scream for monkeys and admire the stars in the same way. We are bonded.”

And then to thank our sponsors Cathay Pacific, the delegates got into groups and performed advertisements which were very professional and highly entertaining and informative. Well done everyone!

The evening drew to a close in a festive mood with the exchanging of gifts.

Taiwan was the last to introduce their island, but it was certainly not least. What a lovely presentation. We enjoyed it.