PanSolutions equips Nyanga lab with printer

PanSolutions equips Nyanga lab with printer

The Nyanga lab has recieved a generous donation of a Workio 8020 printer from PanSolutions. The machine is a multi-functional one which can print, copy, scan and fax documents. A PanSolutions representative who opted not to be named said the following: ‘At PanSolutions we try to reach out and help the community in whatever way we can’.

A huge thank you to PanSolutions for this generous donation. 

 

IkamvaYouth National Coordinator featured in “The Mail and Guardian Book of South African Women”

IkamvaYouth National Coordinator featured in “The Mail and Guardian Book of South African Women”

Zamo Shongwe, the IkamvaYouth National Coordinator has been featured in a Mail and Guardian Book called, ” The Mail and Guardian Book of South African Women.” Tuesday 7th of August was a very memorable day for IkamvaYouth as the nation celebrated and acknowledged Zamo and other women who have dedicated their lives to making South Africa a better nation. These women featured in the book, were noted to be women who have achieved the impossible, frequently with few or no resources.

The 2012 edition of the book was launched at Middleton Hotel in Sandton and was filled with laughter, fun, art , entertainment and a call for women to do more in our communities. The book which started seven years ago is a celebration of our country’s women and is supported by Nedbank.

You can check out the book by clicking here and Zamo’s profile can be found by clicking here.

We are all so proud of you Zamo!

Careers Indaba, Friday 14 September

Careers Indaba, Friday 14 September

Do you know what you want to do after Matric?
This is a hard decision, one that requires a lot of information and careful consideration, but IkamvaYouth and Equal Education are here to help. We would like to invite you to our 2012 Careers Indaba.

Come join us on the 14 September 2012 in the Zolani Centre in Nyanga (across the road from the Nyanga bus and taxi rank), and is open to grades 8-12.

Address:
The Zolani Centre,
Sithandatu Avenue,
Nyanga
7750

Directions to Zolani Centre
From Cape Town city centre:
Get on to the N2 toward the Cape Town Airport and Somerset West.
At junction 18 take right on to Borcherds Quarry Road (signposted to Nyanga/M22)
Follow this road down to the T- junction at the taxi rank and take a left on to Sithandatu Avenue
The Zolani Centre is on your left immediately and you can turn into the car park straight after the first set of robots.

The purpose of the Careers Indaba is to expose you to new opportunities, provide information about various study options, learnerships and volunteer programs, resources and support structures. In addition the Careers Indaba will offer workshops on CV writing, interview techniques and personal development. These are skills you will need wherever your path takes you!

Why should I come?
Whether you want to continue your studies, start working; find out about on the job training these choices require information and planning. Alternatively do you want to apply for a volunteer program or internship? It is important to start investigating your options now. At the Careers Indaba you will be able to talk directly to the people who are there to guide you in the right direction.

What are my options?
1/ Continue your studies: Do you want to become a teacher, doctor, electrician, scientist, a lawyer, hairdresser, accountant or nurse? All these positions require you to study further. At the Careers Indaba you will be able to discuss your options for universities, colleges, and Further Education Training (FET colleges)

2/ Working & on-the-job training: Do you want to make your own way and be an entrepreneur? Find our what it involves running your own business or learn while working through learnership programmes. At the Careers Indaba you will be able to find out about these options.

3/Volunteering, Internships and Gap Year Programmes: Do you want to spend some time deciding what your next step is, or getting to know yourself and the world about you a little better? Do you want to give back to your community or volunteer and gain valuable experience in a specific field? The Careers Indaba will give you the opportunity to find out more about this.

Spread the word, looking forward to seeing you all there!



Parents Meeting

This past Saturday (4th August) Umlazi had it’s very first parent’s meeting. It was a bit disapponting to see just 10 parents at the meeting. Most parents called and sms’d saying they can’t make it. This raises the question of weather parents show enough interest in their child’s education. Are they really showing their child that they as parents are there for them. 

The meeting was intimate and we got a chance to talk to the willing parents about their children and how much they, as parents, participate in the learners school experience. It seemed to me as though most parents do not really kno whow to help learners feel more confidence and motivation towards school. The big debate is, is it the parents duty to ensure the child is performing well at school or is the sole responsibility of the learner. 

Some parents feel that their children are not giving school enough energy and dedication. They see the issue, but are clueless as to how to fix it. They feel that the children need to up their concentration levels and general love for learning. Some parents are commending the work we do though, they see improvements in the childrens academic perfomance already. With only 1 term behind us, it is very fulfilling to know that we already made a difference in some learners lives.

Something must be done to motivate learners. There has to be a way that we as IkamvaYouth can work hand-in-hand with parents to do something about this issue. 

African Bank- Giving more than financial assistance

African Bank- Giving more than financial assistance

Every IkamvaYouth programme is aimed at ensuring that every Ikamvanite ‘becomes something’ through education. It is so humbling and encouraging to realise that our sponsors are prepared to give more than just financial assistance for the best of Ikamvanites. African Bank staff has demonstrated genuine commitment and interest to mentor 6 of our Ebony Park grade 12s.

The mentoring programme provides Ikamvanites in grade 12 with the opportunity to get one-on-one support from individuals who are in tertiary, or have been through tertiary. Such support includes ensuring the Ikamvanite accesses post school opportunities as well as inspiration and motivation. The Mentor’s personal experience through tertiary education provides valuable inspiration for the township learner to realise the possibilities of success through hard work, and how education can emancipate them from poverty.

the_joy_of_mentoring_ikamvanites.pdf

The Mentors from African Bank met their Mentees for the first time on Saturday the 4th of August, and spent an hour getting to know each other, as well as signing the mentorship agreement. The mentors and mentees chose to sit in the sun, in a relaxed but confidential setting. The immediate proof of the effectiveness of the mentorship programme was that one of the Mentors offered to pay for her Mentee to apply at Tshwane Universty of Technology (TUT). The Mentors and the Mentees agreed to give the best to the relationship. The Mentors marvelled at how positive all the mentees were about the mentorship programme. The Mentors made a commitment to bring more of their colleagues to become mentors.

While African Bank is funding our Ivory Park branch, which will only have the first group of grade 12s next year, the Mentors are so committed that they did not mind mentoring at a branch that their company is not funding. So, it is giving more than just financial support. They are giving to a good cause. Many thanks to Devendri Pillay (African Bank representative) and her colleagues for stepping in to avail the much needed mentoring service to the learners!

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.