My first interview, at the end of 1978, was at the head office, 399 Park Avenue, in New York City. I was interviewed by Bene M’Poko, who was an assistant Vice President for the International Corporate Banking Division (ICB), which was located on the 5th floor of the building. At the time of writing of this book, Mr M’Poko is the Ambassador for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in South Africa.

Bene M’Poko was a fellow African from what was then Zaire; he had been living in America for many years and was a seasoned banker. I found the environment highly intimidating and only the welcome of the interviewers reassured me, which helped me give of my best. I was then subjected to a few aptitude tests and, thankfully, found suitable for placement.

So, early in June, 1978, we set off for the Big Apple. We sold our sturdy Oldsmobile, the gas guzzler Nana drove, and I drove my small Pinto, all the way to New York. But, we began our journey in Chicago, our favourite city – the windy city, to bid farewell to our friend Professor Sithole and family; Uncle Collins Ramushu and the community of friends of Chicago, a group that had received us well and made us feel at home in the Midwest of the United States. After the one-day stop, I took

Nana and the children to O’Hare Airport, saw them off, and drove towards New York with our belongings.

Nana and the children were flown business class by Citibank. From La Guardia they took a taxi to St Regis hotel, on 55th and Park Avenue. I drove as far as Pittsburgh, where I spent the night with another South African Fulbright scholar, Victor Mkhize from Kwa-Zulu and his wife. Nana and I had agreed that I would check on them, later that evening. When I phoned New York, I found my wife in absolute awe; totally overwhelmed by the St Regis. Up till then, the most expensive hotel my family had ever stayed in was a motel. And the biggest thing Nana just had to tell me was her surprise at how expensive it was.