During the third term of 2015, IkamvaYouth carried out a feedback project, aimed at engaging our alumni community, and giving them the opportunity to participate in the development of the alumni programme going forward. The project included running an online survey which was completed by both 2015 matric learners and alumni (a total of 165), as well as two workshops: the first was in Gauteng on the 17th October 2015 (with 19 matric and alumni participants from Ivory Park and Ebony Park branches), and the other in Cape Town on the 27th November 2015 (with 10 matric and alumni participants from Makhaza and Nyanga branches). Here’s a sneak peak at the results: 

 The Good News… 

  • Alumni find our programmes helpful in preparing them for post-matric life
  • They are proud advocates of the organisation

  • They want to participate in alumni programmes

 

 

  • They want to stay connected to IY and contribute in-kind as well as financially

 But…

  • Alumni can’t give back if they’re struggling (financially and otherwise)
  • Not all the ideas offered are feasible: So we need to manage expectations
  • IY needs to start supporting alumni not in tertiary (e.g. FET, unemployed, upgrading matric)

 So, our next steps are to: 

  • Ensure communication and feedback of key issues between the alumni and IY
  • Share opportunities (jobs/funding/study/etc.) via emails and social media
  • Host Meet-Ups every term (incorporating needed skills workshops such as CV & Interview skills)
  • Source/develop and share guides/booklets with important info (e.g. adjusting to university), and work with branch staff to ensure that these are shared (through workshops & talks) with matric learners
  • Pilot a campus support structure in WC
  • Promote  the individual giving campaign among our alumni who are employed 

For a more detailed look at the findings of this project, please click here to access the full report. 

 

Thank you so much to all the alumni who participated so enthusiastically in the survey and workhops! 

Lloyd Lungu

031 909 3590
lloyd@ikamvayouth.org
2525 Ngcede Grove, Umlazi AA Library, 4031

Lloyd is a self-disciplined and highly goal-driven Industrial Psychology Honours graduate. He is currently a Master's candidate completing his second year of M.Com in Industrial Psychology at the University of the Free State. Lloyd joined IkamvaYouth as a learner in 2012, after matriculating he came back and volunteered as a tutor for the duration of his undergraduate studies at UKZN. He later worked as an Intern in the Chesterville branch. His passion for youth empowerment and inclusion has grown enormously through his time and experience gained within IkamvaYouth and has inspired him to provide career guidance to young township people. He is currently working at the Umlazi Branch as a Branch Assistant.