Amidst the scorching mid-week weather of Johannesburg, around 50 volunteers from the IkamvaYouth Gauteng branches, Ebony Park and Ivory Park, gathered for their annual year-end celebratory outing at Zoo Lake. This was the first time that the two Gauteng branches merged for a volunteer appreciation event organized by IkamvaYouth. The beautiful park had scenery which most viewed as an appropriate setting. In attendance were National Co-ordinator Zamo Shongwe, Gauteng Regional Co-ordinator Patrick Mashanda, Branch Co-ordinators Nyasha and Mbali with assistants, Bongani and Modjadji.
The volunteers immediately used the opportunity to get to know each other through conversations, which often turned into heated debates, games and activities. Some of the activities showed obvious competitiveness and team work while others were just plain fun. Proceedings got underway as fire was prepared for a meaty braai. A delightful lunch was served thereafter coupled with snacks and drinks.
The day had its usual share of addresses, though brief, from Patrick and Zamo who both reiterated the important role that the volunteers play at IkamvaYouth and conveyed their gratitude for the self-less contributions made by the tutors throughout the year. They both touched on the key role that the volunteers play in making the IkamvaYouth vision, a national sensation by 2030.
The day concluded with awards from the Ebony Park branch, which were voted for by the learners and volunteers. The first awards were for the most contributing tutors, which went to Hlengiwe Radebe, Ntabelang Matjee, Gregory Behrens and Talent Mzili. The award for best tutor went to Hlengiwe Radebe whereas the award for leadership went to Talent Mzili.
On behalf of the IkamvaYouth Gauteng Branch volunteers, many thanks to everyone who made the day possible, we truly felt the appreciation. Here’s to many more years of the IkamvaYouth movement!
Lloyd Lungu