A Truly Amazing Race! |

A Truly Amazing Race!

Published by Tracy Scott July 16th, 2007 in Training Blog

Ever woken up on a Sunday morning in Jozi and thought there is just nothing to do? Chat to the team at WBHO and they will alter that perception!

Without mentioning every single challenge, let’s just say the two teams moved at high speed around the city. They managed to unnerve two sets of security guards and did some serious graffiti (it wasn’t illegal, we promise!).

They also went into deepest Hillbrow and had a singing competition with a Church choir, and boy, can these engineers sing! They then tore around the Rockey Street Market and found everything from black smoked catfish and yams to colourful shirts worn by those who hail from the DRC. They learned that the top of Africa is in the middle of Jozi and that you don’t point your finger up to catch a taxi to Joburg from Fourways.

While there was stacks of fun to be had, there was also time to look at some of the incredible buildings in Joburg and unpack a bit of their history.

Most importantly, we got to meet Africans. The challenge to collect as many greetings as possible in an African language, helped the team to see that we truly are the ‘New York’ of Africa and that a smile can undo a thousand Afrophobic misconceptions!

The day ended with an arcade dancing challenge at Monte Casino. Everyone, guys and gals, hopped on and danced and laughed and danced some more. Once again, thanks a million to these awesome engineers…they put their heart and soul into all they do! A special thanks to Marralleen who is so completely invested in developing her teams and who has made this all happen! All the very best, you feel like part of us!

Your Comments:

“Today’s experience was awesome and seeing so many diverse, but united people in Yeoville gave me a new insight to life. It’s like what people always say: What counts in life is not the breaths you take, but rather what takes your breath away”. And finally I felt like that.” Andisiwe Soqinase

“Eye opener in terms of ‘our’ (as South Africans) ignorance as to the appreciation of the diversity of cultures we have, especially xenophobia (especially amongst Africans). Also the History of Johannesburg vs the current re-interpretation of the past.” (Mapungubwe) Trevor Zumani

“It was a bloody marvellous experience that I want to do AGAIN! You go the Avo Team. You Rock!” Dawid Britz
“It is really an Amazing Race. Thanks to the Avo Team.” Pieter van Rooyen
“It’s a good thing that after a long week of hard work, the team can relax together. We work long hours, away from our families and this idea: I wish every team in every project was able to steal weekends away for fun. My favourite was the singing!” Segametsi Smous

“Today - it was a great day for me and I wish I can take my children to such places and have such fun.” Amos Saleni

“It was more than good! It was wonderful!” Antonio Claudio Dias.

“Marvellous.” Jabulani Radebe

“It was marvellous to work with Avocado and I really enjoyed myself. You rock guys!” Cliff Mapasha

” It was a very great course. It’s important to remember things and to keep them in your memory.” Sydney Mello

6 Responses to “A Truly Amazing Race!”

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1 Hanli Buber Jul 17th, 2007 at 8:07 am

You go, WBHO! And Tracy, well done for making a truly memorable teambuild day…again. You amaze me, chick!
2 Carin Jul 17th, 2007 at 2:22 pm

Ja! To Trace and the rest of the team who made it happen, sounds like it was a fabulous day!

Still think we should do it for an Avo teambuild!

You guys rock!
3 jeanette Jul 19th, 2007 at 2:50 pm

I have no doubt that the delegates had a wonderful time - they always do!!!

But it was just so great to see what a wonderful time the trainer had too!!!!

Tracy left early on Sunday morning - and believe me, it is not easy to get up on a Sunday morning and go to work!! She returned at 6 o’clock that evening, bubbling with excitement and energy (yes, energy after a full day of running around Joburg!!)

I realised then, that this is what passion is all about. Passion from start to end - from development and planning right through to the execution - passion for the company, the product and the people (not only the delegates but also the people they met and interacted with along the way in this wonderful, vibrant Joburg city).

Well done Trace - we are proud of you, and well done to Carlajo and Jill for all their hardwork in the planning.
4 Gill Jul 20th, 2007 at 1:45 pm

Wow! I have never met such an enthusiastic group of people! Nomsa & I were waiting at the top of the Roof of Africa for them to come and get their next clue on Sunday morning. They flew out of the lifts, dying to be the first team to find the drive-in on the top of the mine dumps. It was memorable from that moment on. Singing with this group and the choir from the Lutheran church was so moving. The trip around the market in Rocky Street was a unique cultural experience and one that the teams grabbed with both hands. We left them at lunch, and I was really sad as I was sure that the afternoon was going to be just as much fun. I heard that you had a ball! We can’t wait to meet you all again soon!!
5 nomsa Jul 20th, 2007 at 1:49 pm

What a special day! the team spirit was amazing, I was blown away when I and Gill where at the Top of Africa in the Carlton Centre, and we had this group of people running to us with so much excitement and energy, early in the morning. They had such a great time and looking forward to everything and working every well as a team. My speacial moment was the singing with the church choir and the ladies had such beautiful voices, and there were amazing dance move from the guys. I really enjoyed myself, and I’m glade I was part of it.
6 Andisiwe Soqinase Jul 26th, 2007 at 8:57 am

Hey guys!!
I still cant get over the feeling and fun i had during the Amazing Race. Boy, when i got back to work, i so wished it was another week with the Avo team!! YOU GUYS ROCK, & Trace keep up that energy & Passion!! Hope to c yu guys soon, for another exciting yet chalenging activities. i do believe Jozi has got yet more to offer!! and now yu know what the Engineers are capable of & that was not even close to what we capable of!! so yu up for more surprises when we come back!!

In the time yu guys can hold yo breaths, bcoz we’ll blow yu away, AGAIN!!!!

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