Brenna "Enkosi, beautiful Cape Town"

I can’t believe the time has come for us to leave South Africa. I am not ready to say goodbye; things are just starting to come together with the environmental clubs, I am just starting to form deep relationships with the people I’ve met here and I am learning more and more with every day. Until I come back, I will hold on tightly to all the memories I have of Cape Town. In the country of Ubuntu, this experience and all the beautiful people I have met will be with me forever- with every day decision I make, with every thought I have and with every ounce of I love I try to spread in hopes of drowning out the oppression that still exists in this world. My soul has been warmed and enlightened by the people of South Africa and I will forever be in debt to them. The only way I know to repay them is to continue to love and learn in hopes of making this world better. My consciousness of humanity has exponentially expanded since being here and I will apply that greater understanding to all the work I do in the future.

There is so much more I want to say about being here but I cannot put into words all that has happened to me. Seeing the disparities of not only in wealth but in treatment of humans here has angered me to the core, and I am departing feeling more confused than ever over this dehumanization. The most fulfilling understanding I have gained since being here is that different life experiences is only a façade- race, class, gender or any other superficial construction of segregation means nothing to me. People are people and everywhere I go I will find beautiful humans who I connect with honestly and deeply. I am leaving feeling unfinished, there is so much more to be done here – the only content I leave with is knowing that this unsettled feeling will motivate me to work harder and stronger towards making this world a just and equal place – the work I do anywhere will not be done until this world is one ruled by compassion, peace and people instead of money, greed and selfishness. Enkosi, beautiful Cape Town for all that you and your people have done for me, I will work for the rest of my life to repay you.

Leanne, Brenna, Abongile