On Thursday 17th May, Avo ran a Diversity Team Build for Standard Bank. It was an opportunity for us to connect two very special people, Matthew Ribnick and Lionel Davis, with the team at Group Risk.

Lionel Davis was a political activist and a prisoner on Robben Island for 7 years. On his release, he poured his energy into art and education. He later returned to Robben Island as a guide. He has very recently taken the huge step of retiring which meant leaving the Island. Oom Lionel shared his story of personal healing with the group at Constitution Hill. His words touched the audience and moved them to make the following comments regarding the way forward for their team;

“Be aware that bitterness traps us”
“Lionel’s journey of forgiveness: “Do not stereotype. See the individual.”
“Do not jump to conclusions, try to understand.”

(Lionel, your humanity, ability to forgive and your gentle strength, is an inspiration to me and to all who meet you. )

We were also entertained by the comic genius of Matthew Ribnick. We so enjoyed his ability to capture the variety of cultures and easily identifiable characters who make our land so rich. Matthew’s gift is to build bridges by helping his audience to build relationships with his characters: the external layers of culture are peeled away. We meet soul to soul. His performance triggered these responses:

” Affirm your own culture and the culture of others!”
” We have such a rich, diverse, different environment: we need to capitalise on and use our difference”
” Share yourself: be willing to explain”
“Open yourself to other experiences”

At Avo, we celebrate the gift of what we do: the gift of enabling people to connect in a variety of ways.