Clem van Wyk in memory
It was a sunny morning in Cape Town, 5 March 2003. A colleague and I arrived as ARC-aid Fredskorpset exchange workers at the Desmond Tutu Peace Centre. We were met by the most smiling and enthusiastic man, delighted to see us. We were invited to parties, to activities and to dinners at his home. It was a second home for us. Even Christmas Day I celebrated with he and his family; his wife Karin and their kids Michael, Justin and Carlajoy.
Clem’s baby was the Emerging Leadership Program, initiated at the DTPC. He loved working with youth, being around them and challenged them. Respect was essential for Clem, he listened. His aim was to make youth reflect on values-based leadership, doing so by dialoging. That was also the aim of ELP, to strengthen the leadership of the youth, to nurture and develop the young, emerging leaders.
ELP was also taken to Norway. Clem facilitated ELP in Kristiansand and Oslo, to give the values-based leadership module the South African touch. Clem has worked with close to 200 Norwegian youth, he made a difference to many of them.
Clem coordinated the first exchange program between ACR-aid and DTPC back in 2003. The partnership lasted until 2008, involving ten exchange workers. ELP separated from DTPC, to form the Global Development for Peace and Leadership, with Clem as CEO. In the years to come several GDPL exchange workers have been met the same way as we did. He challenged us on values, at the same time he listened to us. He was in a dialogue on values.
Clem van Wyk died 28 September 2011. We will all miss him. A beloved husband and father past away. Our thoughts go to Karin, Michael, Justin and Carlajoy.
With love from ARC-aid and ELP Norway, Ole Kristian Eivindson
