Entrepreneurship Workshop: Kholisani's journey

Hey, my name is Kholisani and I have been on a self-actualising journey, luckily for me, it was in the safe hands of the Mandela Rhodes Foundation team.

At first, I thought being awarded the scholarship was the hard part, however, in hindsight surrendering to the MRF's leadership program was even harder. It was my undoing and my unbecoming. And it has been a beautiful continuous process of restructuring. Through my year in residence, I learnt to continuously step out of my shell and 'trust the process', to be vulnerable, and to create meaningful relationships. I have painfully yet gracefully evolved.

I vividly recall the moment I received the call that I was selected as a Mandela Rhodes Scholar, and it was indeed a moment of profound self-doubt, ‘Am I really worth it?’. Little did I know that this was just the beginning of a transformative journey that would redefine my perspective on leadership, community, and self.

Over the year, I've had the privilege of being part of an incredible community of scholars, each with their unique backgrounds, aspirations, and stories. These interactions have been nothing short of inspirational. It has been a year of self-discovery, a year of pushing my boundaries, and a year of embracing the unknown.

Vulnerability is another aspect I've embraced wholeheartedly. It's not easy to open up and share your fears and uncertainties with others, but I've found that in doing so, I've formed deeper, more meaningful connections with those around me. The MRF community has shown me that it's okay to be imperfect, to make mistakes, and to seek guidance from your peers. It's in these moments of vulnerability that I have grown the most. As I reflect on my experiences here, I would describe it as a beautiful paradox of pain and grace. The relationships I've built and the lessons I've learned will undoubtedly shape my future endeavours.

In closing, one of my favourite words by Tata Nelson Mandela – ‘It is in the character of growth that we should learn from both pleasant and unpleasant experiences.’ With that said, what does not grow is dead.

So, thank you Kholie for showing up! #selfappreciation. Thank you to the Foundation, for being so intentional in grooming us as individuals first and leaders next #powerwithin.