The week of Walmart continues Wednesday.
Tens of thousands of people have converged on Northwest Arkansas for the annual Shareholders' Meeting. Joining the masses of Walmart employees, and shareholders, are some of the newest members to the 'retail giant's' family.
Recently Walmart acquired 'Massmart', a retail store in South Africa, and nearly 400 Massmart employees made the trip to Arkansas for the meetings.
Astrid Arendse said, "(This is my) First time overseas, out of my country."
A 22 hour flight led 368 from Africa to the home of Walmart. For most, this is their first voyage away from home.
Neo Talae said, "It's beyond what I expected."
Shamiele Ederies said she was really excited when she got the news of a trip to Arkansas, "I was running down the office block, and I was screaming and shouting, and everybody was looking at me because I was going crazy."
That excitement carried over from Africa to Arkansas.
Ederies talked about when she arrived, she said, "We felt at home. We didn't want to go to the dorm to go and shower, because we were having so much fun."
Arendse said, "We feel like royalty because everyone wants to take our picture."
All of these Massmart employees seemed to be happy to be a part of the Walmart family.
Talae said, "I am very grateful that Walmart brought us here."
But in the enjoyment of a once in a lifetime vacation, these guys know there's work to be done and lessons to be learned.
Talae added, "I look forward to going back to South Africa and give feedback of what I see here. What I see here is awesome."
Arendse said she noticed the team aspect, "I would like to take that with me to where I'm going to, because everything is done as a team."
Wednesday's festivities were headlined by a concert by Aerosmith at Bud Walton Arena.
Tens of thousands of people have converged on Northwest Arkansas for the annual Shareholders' Meeting. Joining the masses of Walmart employees, and shareholders, are some of the newest members to the 'retail giant's' family.
Recently Walmart acquired 'Massmart', a retail store in South Africa, and nearly 400 Massmart employees made the trip to Arkansas for the meetings.
Astrid Arendse said, "(This is my) First time overseas, out of my country."
A 22 hour flight led 368 from Africa to the home of Walmart. For most, this is their first voyage away from home.
Neo Talae said, "It's beyond what I expected."
Shamiele Ederies said she was really excited when she got the news of a trip to Arkansas, "I was running down the office block, and I was screaming and shouting, and everybody was looking at me because I was going crazy."
That excitement carried over from Africa to Arkansas.
Ederies talked about when she arrived, she said, "We felt at home. We didn't want to go to the dorm to go and shower, because we were having so much fun."
Arendse said, "We feel like royalty because everyone wants to take our picture."
All of these Massmart employees seemed to be happy to be a part of the Walmart family.
Talae said, "I am very grateful that Walmart brought us here."
But in the enjoyment of a once in a lifetime vacation, these guys know there's work to be done and lessons to be learned.
Talae added, "I look forward to going back to South Africa and give feedback of what I see here. What I see here is awesome."
Arendse said she noticed the team aspect, "I would like to take that with me to where I'm going to, because everything is done as a team."
Wednesday's festivities were headlined by a concert by Aerosmith at Bud Walton Arena.
