I should not be connected to the Internet this week - being away on honeymoon in Mozambique for a few days.  It is strange that while on a beach in one of the poorest countries in the world that you can check your MCA status on your phone.

Since many people have been sending emails and asking questions (which I have been unable to answer) over the last few weeks I feel that I have to break my rule of 'beach bum and not mouse potato' and post a short entry on my status.

I received an email last night informing me that I have 'been invited to continue into the MCA program' - an invitation that I am bound to accept before the 9 October deadline.

I don't know what took so long - maybe the 'stack ranking' algorithm was a bit tough, maybe it took a long time to herd the cats.  Maybe Andy Ruth can provide me with some of *his* experiences which would provide some interesting insights.

Congratulations to Carlos Goncalves, a fellow South African who was also accepted and, like me, has also been checking his email frequently.  I'd like to hear from anyone else who has made it into the programme (and even those who have not).  Let me know what your thoughts are and whether or not I can share them on this blog.

It seems that a tough part of the process is already over yet I know that there is still a way to go - at the very least I have to rustle up the US$10,000 (more about that in a future post).  Stats have shown that there is a lot of interest in these postings and I intend to share as much as I can, for those in the programme and those wishing to join.

For now though, I must return my attention to my wife and soak up the African sun...

Simon Munro