Initiatives of Change - Imbizo for Africa

'We cannot build a continent without forgiveness,' said Eric Mafuna of the African Leadership Group, launching a three-day Imbizo (consultation) at the Sizanani Conference Centre, 50kms east of Pretoria, South Africa. Twenty-six participants from 12 countries – Liberia, Ghana, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Cameroon and South Africa - took part in these days of spiritual feeding, trust building, renewal of commitment, evaluation, discussion and deliberation on future directions for the work of Initiatives of Change (IofC) in Africa.

Mafuna, who is also founding President of the Black Management Forum, spoke of the need for leaders who will generate hope. Drawing on the example of South Africa, where 'our constitution asks us to celebrate our multiculturalism', he linked the needs for democracy with a need to embrace diversity while remembering that 'we are South Africans before we are Afrikaners, Zulus, Xhosas etc.' 'We as Africans, 'he added, 'should not use what happened to us in the past as an excuse for not taking responsibility for the events in our continent today.'

Anthony Duigan, facilitated a discussion on goals and objectives - 'moving from ideas to action'. Anthony was former Deputy Editor for The World and News Editor for The Star, and is now partner at John Carlisle Partnerships.

Africa is fortunate in that it focuses on delivery and humanity in producing great things, said Duigan, adding that once Africans realise this gift and develop a self confidence in their capabilities, Africa will rise to amazing heights. So much comes down to attitude, he felt. He quoted a community worker from the Orange Farm informal settlement who defined a leader as 'a person who does things'. Participants agreed that the central force driving their visions both as a team and for their work in Africa revolved around having 'leadership that is ethically committed, competent and server based, driven by inner connection to the Higher Power.'

The Imbizo was preceded by a 36-hour Retreat led by Prof Jannie Malan, senior researcher with ACCORD, the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes. He discussed religion and spirituality, the history and future of inner change and outward traditions. One participant described it as 'getting back to the essentials!'

Nigerian film producer, Dele Ajakaiye, descibed the time together as 'an intellectual, spiritual x-ray', adding 'this retreat has empowered me to walk the faith'.

Rev Thomas-Rene Kitutu from the Democratic Republic of Congo, now residing in South Africa, who assisted with the French/English interpreting at the meetings, was moved by what he heard from people he was meeting for the first time. 'The work you are doing goes beyond religious barriers,' he said.