” Every exchange begins with a warm welcome and ends with a heartfelt goodbye. As difficult as goodbyes are, they remind us that the true purpose of PULSE has never been the journey itself, but the lives changed along the way.

As PULSE 4 Round 4 reaches its final note, I find myself thinking back to six months ago when we welcomed our two new participants into the programme. It feels like only yesterday we were sharing first introductions, and now we stand together at the end of an unforgettable chapter. 

I still remember the excitement on all our faces the moment Boinelo and Mbalenhle arrived in Norway. Sivuyile and I went to welcome them at the airport, and there was an indescribable joy in that moment. To this day, I can’t quite explain where it came from. Was it because we were happy to finally see them? Were they just as happy to see us? Or was it simply the excitement of beginning a new journey together? Perhaps it was all those things at once. Whatever the reason, the smiles were genuine, and the excitement was contagious.

From that very moment, the journey began. As we made our way from the airport, we started introducing them to life in Norway, helping them settle in, and sharing everything we had learned over the previous six months. They were curious about everything—from the way we worked to everyday life—and their endless questions reminded us of our own first days in the programme. Looking back now, it’s hard to believe how quickly those six months have passed. The newcomers we welcomed with such excitement have become confident participants, and now, as PULSE Round 4 reaches its final note, those same smiles are accompanied by heartfelt goodbyes and memories that will stay with us for years to come.

Not long after welcoming Boinelo and Mbalenhle, we headed to our very first band visit together. It was their opportunity to experience PULSE in action and begin learning by doing. We introduced them to our way of working, and before long, they weren’t just observing—they had blended in so naturally that it felt as though they had been part of the team from the very beginning. Their enthusiasm, confidence, and willingness to jump in made the band visit even more engaging, and it was wonderful to see the young musicians responding with the same energy and excitement.

As the evening ended, Sivuyile and I jokingly warned them to save some energy for the journey back home. Their response? “We’re built different!” They were convinced they would keep that same energy all night.

Well… let’s just say the journey home had a different story to tell.

By the time we boarded the train, the unstoppable energy had quietly disappeared. The two people who had insisted they were “built different” were fast asleep before we had even reached our destination. I’m sure they’ll forgive me for sharing this story—after all, they gave me permission! Looking back at those photos now, they remind me that some of the best memories from PULSE weren’t only made in rehearsals or performances, but also in the laughter, the long journeys home, and the moments we shared simply being ourselves.

Looking back at Sivuyile and me, we’ve shared quite a journey. We didn’t always see eye to eye, and to be honest, we were both a little stubborn. Whenever one of us believed we were right, it was difficult to convince the other otherwise. We were—and still are—very outspoken, which meant disagreements were almost inevitable. At times, those differences challenged us, but they also challenged us to grow.

Looking back now, I realize those moments weren’t obstacles—they were opportunities. The PULSE exchange encouraged us to foster open communication, share knowledge freely, embrace feedback, take responsibility, and never stop learning from one another. Our differences gradually became our greatest strength.

What began as disagreements between two strong-minded people has grown into a partnership built on mutual respect, trust, and a shared commitment to helping each other improve. We are still learning, and that journey continues, but today we communicate better, support one another more, and work together with a common purpose. In many ways, that transformation reflects exactly what PULSE is all about: growing not only as professionals, but as people.

Speaking of success, I can’t help but think about the many bands we had the privilege of visiting throughout this exchange. Although I can’t possibly share every story, I’d like to give you a glimpse of one experience that perfectly captures what PULSE is all about.

One of those memorable visits was to Roaldsøy Skolekorps, where Boinelo and I had the opportunity to lead a band visit together. As we walked into the rehearsal room carrying our instruments, we were complete strangers to the young musicians. You could almost read the questions on their faces: “Who are these two?” “Why are they here?” Some even wore expressions that seemed to say, “I’d rather be at home than sit through whatever this is.”

But that’s exactly where the magic of PULSE begins.

Our goal has always been to create a safe space where everyone feels included and where making music is fun. We started with a couple of energetic icebreakers to break down the barriers, followed by teaching two songs: Ubuhle Bendoda, a song that holds special memories within the Bands Crossing Borders family, and Baby by Justin Bieber.

A special moment came when one of the instructors excitedly showed us an old copy of the Ubuhle Bendoda music sheet that he had kept from his time with the Bands Crossing Borders exchange years ago. He asked if we knew the piece and hoped we could share it with the current band. It was one of those beautiful full-circle moments that reminded us how music connects generations and continues to bring people together across time and cultures.

As the rehearsal went on, something incredible happened. The uncertainty and boredom we had noticed at the beginning slowly disappeared. The room was soon filled with laughter, energy, and music. Young musicians who had been hesitant at first were now fully engaged, smiling, dancing, and playing with confidence. By the end of the evening, the same members who had looked ready to leave didn’t want us to go. They gathered around us, asking to take photos together and thanking us for the experience.

Moments like these remind me that the success of PULSE is not measured by how many notes we play, but by the smiles we create, the confidence we build, and the connections we leave behind. Those are the moments that stay with you long after the music has stopped.

One of the highlights of PULSE Round 4 was seeing Sivuyile become part of SoundLab Stavanger. From the very beginning, he embraced the programme with enthusiasm, using his creativity and energy to encourage young people to step out of their comfort zones. Whether leading activities, supporting rehearsals, or simply motivating participants, he created a welcoming environment where everyone felt safe to express themselves. By the end of SoundLab, the confidence and joy displayed by the young musicians were a true reflection of the positive impact he had made. His contribution showed that when creativity is combined with encouragement and genuine care, it has the power to inspire young people and make programmes like SoundLab a real success.

Hahaha! There we go! One thing about Norway: there is no such thing as bad weather—only bad clothing. If you are not prepared, you might be left behind while everyone else continues with the day as normal!

This was one of Mbalenhle and Boinelo’s successful projects. They recruited new beginner members and taught them how to play, working together to create a performance for the parents in Arnestad. Although the weather was a bit of a barrier, they did not let it stop them. They pushed through and made the project a success.

The final show was fantastic, and most importantly, the young members had fun, built confidence, and learned so much in such a short space of time. A great example of teamwork, commitment, and making the most of every opportunity—rain or shine! 🌧️🎺🎶

😂 One of the funniest and craziest moments of the trip — I think this one definitely takes the trophy!

I honestly wish you were there to see how much I laughed until my tears came out. It started as a completely normal day. We took public transport to work, got off, and walked for about three minutes to the school where we had a band visit.

Then, out of nowhere, we saw a lady walking her pet donkey! 🫏😂 You should have seen the excitement on Boinelo’s face — it was his first time seeing a donkey in Norway!

But the excitement didn’t end there. After the band visit, while walking back, we passed a farm with chickens roaming around. Of course, Boinelo was the first to react again! 🐔😂 I think he took about 50 pictures of the chickens.

Honestly, I don’t blame him. It was also my first time seeing livestock in Norway. It is very rare to see animals like donkeys, chickens, or other farm animals — whether as pets or on farms. Definitely a moment we will never forget! 😂🏆

Two birthdays were celebrated during our time in Norway—mine in April and Mbali’s in July—and I can honestly say it was absolutely awesome! Normally, both of our birthdays fall during the cold winter season back home, but this time was completely different because we were celebrating them during the beautiful Norwegian summer.

For my birthday, we had a lovely braai at the park, surrounded by beautiful weather and great company. For Mbali’s birthday, we had another braai, this time at a beach island. I went along with her thinking I knew the dress code, but surprisingly, she had changed her outfit and forgot to send me the memo! 😂 It definitely made the day even more memorable.

Celebrating our birthdays in Norway during the summer was such a special experience and something completely different from what we are used to back home. These are definitely memories we will always carry with us.

All in all, the picture I was trying to paint for you guys is just how much working in Norway felt like being part of one big, happy family. From the four of us as a team, to the management, and even outside of work, we were surrounded by so much warmth, love and support.

I also cannot forget Thulani, who introduced us to the Inkululeko Choir—another loving and welcoming family that became part of our experience outside of work. The connections we built, both professionally and personally, truly made our time in Norway special and unforgettable.

Thank you to the Field Band Foundation, Norges Musikkorps Forbund, Norec, and every person who has been part of making the PULSE Exchange Programme what it is today. We are truly grateful, and we are honoured to be part of this journey and this growing PULSE family.

Thank you all.