Some say that the beginning of the year is always daunting, whether you’re starting a new academic year, or even meeting new people. Well our matric class of 2015 begs to differ. Saturday, 24th January, our bright stars were at the branch bright and early, eagerly waiting to meet the people they aspire to be like one day, their mentors.
In asking one of the learners on their expectations of the day, Yamkela Fobosi said, “I am very excited to meet a person who has already accomplished the things I want to accomplish. I cannot wait for him to tell me all the things that I must do in order to achieve my dreams!”
Mentor Day kicked off with a welcoming from Zukile Keswa, the Branch Coordinator. In attendance were over 20 mentors, ranging from UCT students to working professionals. Tamara Stelma, the Mentorship Coordinator from UCT, introduced the programme to everyone and shared the schedule for the day. The mentors and mentees were paired according to the results of a questionnaire the mentees and mentors completed prior to the event. During the one on one session they signed a commitment agreement contract that stipulated the number of hours that they had to be in contact with each other. From the library, to the lab, to the office you could see the mentors and mentees engaged in conversation getting well acquainted and creating a timeline for the year. One mentor said that the day was productive and a great way of networking with other great minds (mentors) and is looking forward to the rest of the year, coaching and inspiring this exciting bunch.
The day concluded with a discussion with the Grade 12s led by Busiswa Dayimani, the Branch Assistant, on the prospects for the year. What is expected of them, what they should expect from the year and what steps to take from now onwards. “There is still quite a lot of work to be done but if we put in the necessary work we are destined for success…” Busi said to the learners as they attentively listened. Energies are high, expectations are high, and we cannot wait to see what this year holds for the matric class of 2015.
With this well integrated support structure, the sky is the limit for these young stars.
IkamvaYouth is partnering with the Western Cape Government to implement after-school programming to learners in township schools. The aim is to ensure significant academic improvement, assist learners with their subject selection and enable them to build the skills they need to take their futures into their own hands.
A range of academic, cultural, and physical activities will be offered every day after-school to learners in grades 8 and 9 at the chosen MOD Centres. The Year Beyond Schools Coordinator will coordinate the project and facilitate the delivery of the academic support component, ensuring the smooth and effective operation of these after-school programmes by working closely with the independent service providers and stakeholders.
Responsibilities:
- Coordinating the implementation of after-school programmes in secondary schools in a township community in Western Cape;
- Negotiate and manage schedule;
- Ensure that IY model is being implemented; attendance tracking and kick-outs affected, tutor pedagogy, parents meetings, Branch Committees, Strategic Planning weekend, Winter School, Prize-giving;
- Ensure literacy and numeracy partner programmes are implemented to a high standard and that analytics are tracked and reported accurately;
- Manage programme delivery budgets and spending against budget,s; handle cash books and deliver accurate monthly financial report
- Monitor increase in academic performance through measurement and implementation of strategies to achieve impact;
- Manage the relationships between the volunteers, principal/teachers, and MOD Centre staff;
- Submit quarterly narrative and excel reports capturing attendance, report collection, test results;
- Ensure that volunteers and staff are regularly blogging and uploading to social media platforms;
- Aid the project manager to plan and implement a successful training week and ongoing quarterly training with the volunteers alongside the schools coordinator;
- Facilitate weekly de-briefs with volunteers; session planning, implementation and feedback
Requirements:
- Minimum of three year degree or five years’ work experience (ideally in youth development; project planning, implementation and management)
- Advanced management skills to manage sites, volunteers, donors, sponsors, funders, learners, and community expectations;
- Highly organised and efficient;
- Impeccable time management, data collection and reporting ability;
- High level of attention to detail;
- Ability to work alone, take initiative, and manage teams;
- Adept at using computers (Microsoft Office, social media and internet);
- Ability to work virtually (many discussions, meetings and document development occur collaboratively online);
- Passion for working with young people, a pro-active energy and an outgoing personality will be most suitable for this role;
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Driving licence and own transport
Gross Salary: R 12 650
To apply, submit a CV and motivation letter with “Year Beyond- Schools Coordinator” in the subject line to careers@ikamvayouth.org.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. No late applications will be accepted.
For more about IkamvaYouth, refer to https://ikamvayouth.org.www518.jnb1.host-h.net.
For more information about the Year Beyond programme, refer to http://www.westerncape.gov.za/yearbeyond.
The main tutoring hall at the IkamvaYouth Chesterville branch was packed to the brim as we had our open day and prize giving ceremony. Amongst our guests were the parents, current Ikamvanites, aspiring Ikamvanites, our local librarian, and our dedicated tutors as well as staff from both the KZN branches of Umlazi and Chesterville. The guests were eager to know more about IkamvaYouth and to celebrate those Ikamvanites who performed well in the programme for the year 2014.
Our learners also participated in the programme, with two of our matric learners Lindokuhle Mbili and Lipuma Thabethe being our MC’s for the day. The speakers of the day were Thandazo Mkhize (Chesterville Branch Co-ordinator), and Zandile Dlamini (Chesterville Branch Assistant) who gave an overview of what IY is about as a whole.
Thankfully, IY has many talented learners some of which were able to provide us with entertainment for the day with poetry and rhythmic rap music. We also had speakers from different walks of life. One of our past learners, Andiswa Tshabalala, from the class of 2014 was one of our speakers, she gave a very heartfelt speech about her experience at IY as well as where she is currently in life and her studies. Our other special guest Mzwandile Majola, a librarian from the local library spoke very well about the importance of reading and also encouraged the learners to read and visit the library more often for information.
Speeches were not the only items on the program. Our special Prize Giving ceremony had to be the highlight of the day. Led by N’thabiseng Zwane, branch assistant at the Umlazi branch, certificates as well as prize gifts were awarded to learners that achieved 75% and above on attendance as green attendance, 90% and above as Gold attendance while others received certificates for successfully completing the operation fikelela programme in 2014. It would’ve been a shame to honor the learners and leave behind our tutors, so the most dedicated tutor of the year was also awarded with a certificate of appreciation, which went Nokukhanya Ngcobo who also delivered a lovely speech on behalf of the tutors.
In closing, S’bonelo Cele, branch coordinator at the Umlazi branch, gave us a closing remark and vote of thanks speech to everyone who availed themselves for the event and more especially to our special guests, who were given a small gift as a token of our appreciation.
One seldom finds the time to spend with nature, especially on a Monday morning. IkamvaYouth KZN Matric learners, staff and a few volunteers spent their Monday morning, 19th January 2015, embracing nature and its life lessons at the Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve and Wilderness Leadership School in Yellowood Park, Durban.
Before the trail walk began everyone was instructed to switch off their cellphones or any other device that might connect them to the outside world. This was simply done to ensure that everyone becomes fully immersed with life in the wild and does not get to miss out on anything important.
Our trail walk throughout the nature reserve was led by tour guides who have years of everyday experience of the wildlife. Along the trail we spotted a variety of wild animals, but not wild enough to eat us, thankfully. The animals seen at the nature reserve ranged from the Red and Grey Dykes, Springboks, Zebras, and although we were told to look out for snakes, we did not come across any. Some animals could not be seen but heard, such as the Purple Crested Lourie and the Sombre Bulbul birds. A lot was also learnt about the different trees we saw including our very own national tree the Yellowood, and the importance of treating natural habitats including the animals in order to survive in the wild and preserve nature.
After a lengthy walk of more than two hours, everyone was treated to delicious lunch which was sponsored by ABI. Visiting the Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve was a good exemplar of just how life’s lessons can also be learnt from outside the classroom and that nature also has a few stories to tell.
A lot can be said about the experience and lessons one gained from visiting the nature reserve, this is what some of the learners had to say about the trip:
“What I learnt is that respect is the most important thing in life,”-Slindile Ngubane
“It was my first time going Yellowood Parkand it was a great day. And I saw different types of animals like Zebra’s, snakes and chickens.” – Nobuhle Zulu
“…along the way we saw a Yellowood tree, our tour guide told us why the place was called Yellowood Park. He said because the Yellowood tree was the most available tree in that place.” – Anele Vezi
Hear from the Ikamvanites themselves:
Beauty Komone: “I grew up in an Ivory Park Township in a disadvantaged family of seven where no one including my three siblings (who are out of high school) have gotten into tertiary. Tutoring and other programmes that are run by IkamvaYouth have boosted my performance and the way I perceive life. I am now going to University to study IT.”
Benny Matlou: “IkamvaYouth is not just an educational organisation, it is also an organization of personal growth and empowerment, which takes youth through a journey of self-discovery where one gets to build their personal values and learn the importance of respect, loyalty, dedication and self-discipline. IkamvaYouth has truly lifted me off the ground to new and better heights.”
Jabulile Khoza: “IkamvaYouth went the extra mile by organising winter school, educational trips, career guidance events at the convenience of our branch. Another amazing thing that IkamvaYouth did for me, my life and my career was to link me with an amazing mentor who now is still awesome. It is a blessing and a huge privilege to be an Ikamvanite.”
Nokukhanya Mdlalose: “I would like to thank IkamvaYouth for helping me. Because of them I have achieved a bachelor pass and now have a chance to go to university.”
Mapule Molebatsi: “I joined IkamvaYouth in grade 10 and since then my marks have improved. I now have a bachelor pass and I know that if it was not for the help and encouragement of IkamvaYouth, I would have never gotten this far.”
Nereth Vuma: “IkamvaYouth gave me help that I couldn’t get anywhere else; they did it with willingness and encouragement. I am grateful for the help I have received from IkamvaYouth.”
Mrs Mpangane (Mother of Tiyiselani who achieved 7 distinctions): “Thank you IkamvaYouth, I hope you continue to do the same for other children this year, next year and many other years to come.”
Shelton Chadya (tutor): “I feel very, very happy because seeing these learners do better than we did, we can’t celebrate enough. Most of the learners are people that I tutored. Well done guys!”
Cheryl Nzama (IkamvaYouth Staff Member): “We are very excited about the results coming out of IkamvaYouth. The standards have been set and we hope that IkamvaYouth Mamelodi will achieve the same standards to give learners the best possible opportunities and education.”
Felicia Mpande (Grade 12 learner 2014): “IkamvaYouth assisted me greatly by exposing me to career workshops, computer literacy and creative expressions and has been a second home to me. Thank you for all the help you gave me.”
Lloyd Lungu