Thursday, 30 January 2014

2014 Journo's trip to Toppieshoek



BY SAUNDRA OBOTE

Situated in the North West province, near the Hartbeespoort dam, and about an hour from Pretoria,Toppieshoek, leadership development center, a TUT owned Centre, is a breath takingly beautiful place.


As the name suggests , this this a place  for individuals to gain a sense of leadership , learn  about togetherness and the importance of team work, while at the same  visitors to the Centre are guaranteed to have fun and a real sense of adventure, through the different challenges to them ,  both physical and mental

Guided by a team of well-trained facilitators, the 2014 first year Journalism group got their academic year off to a fun adrenaline filled start. They also had an opportunity to bond together and learn from one another, ahead of the busy school schedule.

 The students were put in various groups and given activities that required the students to work together as a team, while at the same time enhancing individual ability to have a say in how the tasks were carried out

“it was very fun , we got a chance to get to know each other , we got challenged , and most of we were united , my favourite part was forming the groups , getting a name for the group as well as working on the logo, and supporting each other in the group, “said Tumiso Setladi,  a newly registered first year student .

While Boitshoko hobyane,relayed that  she thought  the whole trip  was great and very inspiring, the food was great. She added that they had very challenging games that needed teamwork. “We learned leadership skills, cooperation’s amongst the teams. Although I did not go up the pole, the rope excise was my favourite, as it showed the courageous side of some people.” she said

Personally, I had a lot fun, perhaps too much fun, but of all the activities done during this trip, the rope walking exercise was perhaps the most fun, challenging and scary.

now while on the ground , the  task looked quite easy , I mean what’s so hard about  going up a pole , having  what I  can only describe as a bird’s eye view of the Hartbeespoort  dam, and then holding on to your partners hand  as you  progressed  to the other side  of the rope?

 Right , some activities are easier said than done, barely a minute after  manning myself up and going up the pole ,  I was ready to come down !!! , my heart could not take it anymore as fear and paranoia, got the best of me, my legs started shaking so bad I was sure if I was to stayed up on that pole for a few more seconds , things may have turned out  much worse……

And if you think I was bad, mmmhhh... Think again, A little bird told me that a certain student who had gone went on this trip, actually passed out for a few minutes ….



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