The Anstruther Rotary Club’s meeting of May 31st heard a superb talk by Lungile Zakwe, a South African student, sponsored by Rotary, who is studying for a Master’s degree in International Strategy and Economics at St Andrews University.

Focusing on family life, on her experiences as a student, and on her first steps in the world of work, Lungile brilliantly conveyed the momentous changes that have occurred in South Africa over the past two decades. Only in 1990 was the apartheid system abolished in South Africa, paving the way for the election of Nelson Mandela as President of a genuinely ‘rainbow nation’ in 1994.

Speaking of the feelings of her father, and latterly of herself, Lungile conveyed the thrill and the privilege felt in the Black population of South Africa when finally the right to vote was won. The end of apartheid also meant that Black students could for the first time enjoy full access to higher education, which saw Lungile study law at Witwatersrand University in Johannesburg. Not one for shirking a challenge Lungile then headed for Japan where she spent time studying Japanese language and culture. Apart from the problems of getting around in a country where few concessions are given to visitors who don’t grasp the pictographic written language, there was also culture shock: Lungile found the contrast between Japanese ‘reserve’ and the greater personal openness of African cultures quite hard to deal with.

Upon returning to South Africa (and prior to coming to St Andrews) Lungile worked in a policy studies ‘think tank’, where, again as a Black, she revelled in being expected to be challenging and critical. Lungile concluded her talk by showing a fine video of South Africa, and by reminding her audience that the World Cup would shortly be getting under way – symbolising her country’s place in the wider world in the twenty-first century.

Lungile is present in St Andrews as an ‘ambassadorial scholar’. Judging by their questions following the talk, club members clearly had little doubt in their minds that the future will involve her, in her home country, in leadership and ambassadorial positions at the very highest level. Club President Bill Henderson proposed the vote of thanks.