At SabiSabi River Camp Trish broke the ice and got the “Seven Habits” weekend going when her loud peal of delighted laughter allowed everyone to relax, forget stuffiness and start relating as equals. Colin Hall wrote to her afterwards:“Your contribution was so special so wholesome so special – you may never know just what magic you made. We really wanted you here!”
Colin was then CEO of Wooltru and had the “Seven Habits of Highly Successful People” franchise for SA. He wanted to adapt it to African conditions, as it used references to American farming practice and Colin wanted to allude to the African bush and the lessons it could give us. He needed the OK from the Covey top brass, so they sent Roger (co-founder of the Covey Leadership Center – now FranklinCovey Co.) & Rebecca Merrill to assess a trial run. As it was a trial, Colin invited people to participate, and it didn’t cost us a cent! As he would say: YeeHa!!
What we didn’t know was a whole bunch of notables had also been invited. We were the minnows there. Captains of industry, politicians, struggle icons and rising business people in the old and new South Africa were there. It was September 1994, the New South Africa was five months old, everyone was optimistic and it seemed the world was our oyster.
When the group first gathered, all strangers, all important and all wary, we were given one of those ice-breaking group exercises where the answer seems impossible, but very obvious when explained. Like many others, Trish didn’t “get it”, but unlike them when it was explained she let out a peal of delighted “Oh no! You fool!” self-deprecating laughter which broke the ice in the best way possible. She was the darling of the bunch from then on – and revelled in the limelight!
Colin Hall wrote:“Your contribution was so special so wholesome so special – you may never know just what magic you made. We really wanted you here!”
Other comments she got were:
Thanks for your ‘ubuntu’ – Daphne Motsepe
I’m glad we were thrown into this struggle together! Love always – Monhla Hlahla
Your spontaneity is very refreshing – Div Geeringh
Its a great experience and you’ve both added terrifically – Judy Gathercole
Trish, was great being around you. Keep the soft core intact – Sej Motau
Its been great with you. Keep up the laughs – Khumo Radebe
It was a pleasure to guide you driving blindfolded – Anton Moolman
Best wishes for the future as we strive to implement the 7 Habits – Sheila & Lungi Sisulu
A great experience! Valued your team efforts at “Go Getters!” – Gaby Magomolo
A quiet, telling comment came when Gaby, sitting next to me said words to the effect of, ‘Only when we have established ourselves’ when Henri, tearing up, spoke emotionally of ‘Letting go the past.’ Some clear-eyed sense amongst the blurry-eyed sentiment of 1994.
It was some experience to watch you behind the wheel coming down the bank! – Grant Ashfield
Bewilderbeast Droppings 