At the recent DIGI-FACE gathering in Nairobi, Kenya, the giraffes became more than scenery…they became a symbol. They fed from our hands, close enough for us to feel their presence, before retreating gracefully when the rain arrived. It reminded us that connection and distance, engagement and retreat, are all part of growth.

In many ways, the DIGI-FACE network is the same: it thrives when we reach out, but it also needs rhythm, balance, and time to mature. What struck me most is that impact is not always about counting numbers, but about stories. Stories of collaboration across Africa, of skills being built, and of universities strengthening their own relationships. Like the giraffes, the network stretches higher when nurtured, with ongoing effort, consistency, and care.

Our Kenyan hosts embodied the spirit of “you’re welcome.” Breaking bread together reminded us that hospitality is more than a gesture; it is about honouring with your heart. That warmth created space for cultural exchange, genuine connection, and the kind of steering that keeps a network both steady and dynamic.
Funded by the DAAD, DIGI-FACE has become a well-oiled machine, yet it remains alive with possibility. Growth is not just about delivery, but about asking: what next, and how do we measure progress in ways that matter? The answer lies in relationships between people, institutions, and cultures.

And so, just like the giraffes who stretched toward us, then retreated with the rain, the network reminds us that growth is not a straight line. It is about moments of closeness, times of retreat, and the ongoing effort to keep reaching higher together.

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Digital Learning Experience Design and Innovation Koshala Terblanche Nelson Mandela University More blogs from this author

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