On Saturday the 31st of October, the SAWomEng 2010 conference executive committee held their first teambuilding event. After careful consideration and deliberation, the event was held at the cityROCK indoor rock climbing facilities, conveniently located in Observatory (on the corner of Collingwood and Anson). The event provided a tremendous amount of fun-filled team interaction, while offering a much needed break from studies. Activities included a balance of climbing and reaching for the sky that encourages both team growth and support, and most importantly, team work.

We started off with a game of tough team bouldering “tag” which really got the blood circulating. This entailed bouldering: climbing vertically while moving horizontally across a network of, well, boulders for lack of a better word. The objective was to get as far along the bouldering course as possible, while being timed. When one team member could not continue the climb or fell off the synthetic outcrop, another member took their place and the race continued. Members were pushed to work precisely and safely, while being challenged with problem solving under pressure to make cover enough ground – which was actually tougher than it sounds. Individuals needed to work on their own, mastering the bouldering technique but also needed to be supportive as a team, and encourage team members through the climb in order to successfully complete the tasks.

Executives then faced off for a vertical climb that was stimulating to both the body the brain! This, I am sure, contributed greatly toward coming up with innovative and outstanding ideas for the 2010 National Conference as team members kept going back for more! Individuals were required to guide their team members up the labyrinth of foot holds, by calling out instructions and motivating them to the top! Members learned to challenge themselves and trust in not only their own abilities but also the abilities of their fellow executive. So the teambuilding indeed did “rock”! The executive learned a lot about themselves and their fellow team members with the excursion being a great success!

Figure: SAWomEng National Conference Executive 2010, standing from left: Cindy-Jade Africa (Technical project portfolio),  Melissa Sikosana (Media and marketing portfolio), Vere Shaba (ex-Events portfolio),  Thokozani Malinga (Logistics portfolio), Sakhile Masuku (Administration and finance portfolio), Mariam Royker (Venues/Events portfolio), bottom from left: Traci Reddy (Conference director), Nontsikelelo (Ntsiki) Ncwadi (Communications portfolio).

Compiled by Cindy Africa