In January, along with hi-fives and star jumps, the ikamvanites were proud to announce an 82% pass for the class of 2014. Now, after finally gathering in the results for those writing supplementary exams, we’re thrilled to announce an overall 84% pass, with 85% eligible for tertiary institutions (50% bachelor and 34% diploma).
However, while a matric pass is difficult to obtain (especially for those attending schools where more than half of learners drop out before reaching matric), it is just the first of many hurdles that need to be cleared in the race towards a career that can catapult a family out of poverty.
Research has shown (Van der Berg & Broekhuizen, 2013) that unemployment for those with less than 12 years of schooling is 42%, while for matriculants it’s 29%. Those with non-degree tertiary education have an unemployment level of about 16%, while for people with a degree, unemployment is under 5%. The numbers of youth not in education, employment or training (NEETs) have increased over the last few years and currently sit at almost 34% of 15 – 24-year-olds in South Africa.
IkamvaYouth is thrilled to report that 85% of the 2014 matrics ARE in education, employment, or training (and not NEETs). Of the 244 learners who wrote matric in 2014:
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49% are in tertiary institutions (30% at university and 19% at colleges)
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18% have learnerships or jobs
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18% are working to upgrade their matric results
These results are remarkable, especially given the norms and expectations of township youth. Beauty Komone , who attended the Ivory Park branch, says “I grew up in a disadvantaged family of seven where none of my three siblings (who are out of high school) have managed to get into tertiary. Tutoring and other programmes that are run by IkamvaYouth have boosted my performance and the way I perceive life. I am now at University studying information technology (IT)!”
Ikamvanites have chosen to study towards careers that will advance the country’s development. Of those enrolled in tertiary institutions (112 learners), 12% are studying engineering, 14% are studying IT, 18% are studying health sciences, and 34% are studying finance, business or entrepreneurship. We’re encouraged to see that 6% are studying education; our hope is for many more ikamvanites to build their careers by transforming South Africa’s education system.
Katlego Octivious is studying architecture, and Boitumelo Mahladisa is training to become a policeman and keep his community safe. We are particularly proud of Tiyiselani Mpangane, who was really struggling with her academics when she joined the Ebony Park branch in grade 10. After joining IkamvaYouth, her results have shot up remarkably; she achieved 6 distinctions for matric, and is studying actuarial science at UCT.
Most heartwarming and encouraging of all, 65% of the class of 2014 has indicated that they’ll be returning to volunteer as tutors at IkamvaYouth. They will ensure that the next cohorts of learners reach similar heights; and propel the virtuous cycle of ikamvanites paying-it-forward, pulling themselves and each other out of poverty.
We need your help to make the circle bigger: Get involved as a volunteer, or donate!
Ebonites welcomed Dr. Welcome Khubeka to grace Ebony Park branch with study skills and career guidance talk. Ebonites had a chance to experience Dr. Khubeka just like their brothers and sisters did in 2014. Dr. Khubeka has been faithful in giving IkamvaYouth Gauteng Branches (except Mamelodi Branch) motivational, career, and study skills talks.
Dr. Welcome talked about the following;
- How learners should manage their time, especial when it comes to their school work. He advised learners to make their own timetables which will guide them on how to study all their subjects which they are doing at school.
- He also urged learners to prioritise their school work over their other activities.
- He advised learners to reward themselves every time they achieve something.
- Choosing careers based on research and passion.
- Pursuing dreams and not giving up on what they want.
- Showing determination and hard work in their studies
A lot have benefited from his talks. In 2013, IkamvaYouth witnessed a high number of varsity placements and employment in Gauteng branches, it showed that such workshops were effective and prepared learners on their future endeavours. IkamvaYouth helps high school learners to improve their marks and get to varsity. The only way learners can choose their career path wisely is to involve professionals like Dr. Welcome and others like him to help them realize that their dreams are possible.
‘’Our engagement with the IkamvaYouth (Ivory Park and Ebony Park) branches is on how to assist learners to study in a creative way. Hence we believe that empowering them with the academic study skills at an early stage will contribute positively in their academic journey. The sessions which we offer to them cover critical study skills such as, time management, how to take notes, how to take examinations (focusing on analysing an assessment) and staying motivated during their studies’’, said Dr. Khubeka.
IkamvaYouth Ebony Park branch coordinator, Nyasha Zvomuya, mentioned that Dr. Khubeka’s talks have been good for the Ebonites, as many of them didn’t give us a hard time when choosing careers to pursue. We are grateful to partner with him and Gauteng branches will always open the door for Dr. Khubeka.
“It’s crucial for learners to take part in these workshops which help them to make career choices and gain effective study skills. We have witnessed how learners in lower grades react to such talks and presume It will be easy for them to make good career decisions once they reach grade 12”said Michael Thema (Branch Assistant, Ebony Park).
IkamvaYouth Gauteng branches will continue to inspire high school learners with such talks from professionals like Mr Khubeka.
Friday 24 April 2015 marked the kick start of a much anticipated annual strategic planning weekend for 2015 at the Chesterville branch. The day boasted with a positive attendance of excited new and old tutors, learner representatives from grade 9 to grade 12, as well as staff.
The first day of SPW is usually not so intense with activities and information. It started off smoothly with everyone creating nametags for themselves and a brief introduction from each person accompanied by an ice breaker to make everyone feel welcome. The learners felt a bit anxious, but after the introduction session they were at ease and ready for the weekend ahead.
The day continued to unfold by setting of the ground rules and expectations of the whole weekend from everyone present. The purpose of the SPW was also outlined by Thandazo the branch coordinator so that the importance of the event is clearly understood. The creation of an ikamvayouth timeline and the branches important events that have happened over the years allowed for a perfect transition into identifying the challenges and successes as well as burning issues that were going to be the center of discussion during the SPW as a whole.
Tea and delicious muffins on arrival of Day 2 gave everyone the fire to get started and energized for the day. After a recap of the previous day, the Ikamvayouth values were outlined and discussed in order for everyone to have a better understanding of what IY is about and what the organisation is built upon. The KZN district coordinator, Thabisile Seme gave a brief overview of the different committees within Ikamvayouth as an organisation and an introduction to the portfolios that each branch have.
New portfolio heads were elected and the rest of the audience had to allocate themselves into a portfolio, where each portfolio was discussed along with all its successes, challenges and plans for the year ahead.
The day wouldn’t be complete without lunch being served. Everyone was treated to mouth-watering lunch and by the end of the day the room was filled with tutors and learners ready for a successful year at Ikamvayouth.
To view more pictures of the day, click here.
It’s hard to believe we are already into the second school term with Year Beyond and the 8 schools we are working in! While there have been challenges and stumbles along the way, there are 8 schools in new communities where tutoring is actually happening, where learners are building a culture of taking responsibility for themselves and driving the agenda to ensure they fill the gaps in their learning, where tutors are showing up and really caring about their learners, their lives and how well they are doing at school.
Year Beyond is currently improving the grades of more than 500 learners working with 29 volunteers. The programme includes the IkamvaYouth model of peer to peer tutoring, tech-assisted English and Maths fundamentals through FunDza and Olico, and practical clubs that will introduce robotics, coding, and media during the holiday programmes.
A Heidveld High volunteer said that “We have managed to keep our numbers constant for the last four weeks. Now that we have contacted parents we are about to reach 50 learners. The learners are willing to come to tutoring even when there is no food. They come every day because they are willing to learn and that motivates us to come every day and bring our A game”
Just like in IkamvaYouth branches, learners identify work they don’t understand during class and bring these to the volunteers in the afternoons to work through and engage with their peers. One of the key aspects of the model is that our volunteers speak English to the learners. At Intlanganiso tutors said that when they first got to school, learners were very shy and reluctant to speak or answer in English. On the last day of the holiday programme tutors were very encouraged that the learners finally responded to their call of speaking English. The learners were very confident and acted out well the Fundza story ‘Dreamgirl’ speaking English the entire session.
Ntobeko from Oval North said that “Our time at Oval North thus far hasn’t been a complete train smash, although it hasn’t been a picnic either. The learners we tutor are often very demotivated when they come to us and it falls to us tutors to lift their spirits – this is especially true for the Gr 8s and Gr 9s where we need to work hard to encourage learning. I am proud to say that our efforts have really paid off in the academic results and lives of some students. Our best learners are hands down our Gr 10s where many of them now express far more interest in Mathematics and Science than before and respond very well to our tutoring. In Gr 8 we have a learner who was initially a bit of a handful but has now matured and is giving his all. He has shown great determination in overcoming his problems and we are very proud of him”.
In some of the schools, especially those where there is no culture of staying after school, engaging with homework and peers to support an understanding what was covered in class, the interest was low and initial learner signups were below what was expected. ID Mkize High volunteers dealt with this in an interesting way by not only explaining the programme to the learners but also to the parents who have been able to assist the volunteers in motivating learners to apply. The day after a parent meeting at the school the volunteers had over 60 learners at their door the next day applying to the programme! ID Mkhize volunteers say, “We are motivated to keep doing what we are doing because there are learners who really need our help and who appreciate it.”
We are very excited to leverage the lessons from Term 1 to ensure that the next couple of months see this programme gain further traction and excitement in our schools. If you are interested in getting involved as a tutor or volunteer or want any further information please get in touch with Liesel: liesel@ikamvayouth.org or Zukile: zukile@ikamvayouth.org
Alan W. Watts once said, “The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join
the dance.” This proved to be true when the staff, volunteers and learners of IkamvaYouth Makhaza came together to bring the 5 IkamvaYouth values into life, strategizing and planning for the year 2015/2016.
The weekend of 28th and 29th March was set aside for vital decision making, planning, dissecting of challenges, effective solution bringing and evaluation of the branch successes. About 30 individuals consisting of learners, tutors and staff filled the board room of Desmond Tutu hall, looking all expectant for serious conversations.
The facilitator for the weekend was, Busiswa Dayimani, Makhaza Branch Coordinator. Introductions began with the group using adjectives starting with the first letter of their names to introduce themselves, a few laughs were shared as some of the names proved to be special in their own right. Zondikazi Mtonjeni, a grade 9 learner found it most challenging saying she would have to get back to the group later.
Each person was given a task to write down 4 wishes and 4 worries that would be read throughout the weekend. This activity proved to be special as it made people feel closer to each other. We are not all that different, the wishes and worries are a testimony to that. “I worry about being uneducated and living in poverty”- anonymous from the group.
To get everyone in the same climate of thinking the missions statement and values of the organisation were reintroduced. The group was given a chance to share what the values mean to them and ways to instill the IY culture in each and every person in the programme.
Energy and passion seemed to be trend of the weekend, as the 30 tirelessly engaged in discussion, filled out flipcharts with wisdom and carried out presentation after presentation. The one discussion that stood out was the speaking of English in all IY sessions. The learners were in full support and coming up with ways in which it can be fun for everyone. It has been recognised as a necessity in their advancement in the language and studies. Indeed, collaboration and peer-to-peer support, integrity and openness were demonstrated in these discussions.
Our special guest on Saturday, was Dr. Chloe Buire, a researcher from the University of Durham. She shared her thoughts on the need for social change and commended IkamvaYouth’s successful contribution to the cause. She is currently working on her research titled “You Citizen,” that aims to show a reflection of what citizenships means to the youth of South Africa.
As the weekend approached its end, targets for the year were set, a branch committee was elected and a constitution was drafted and accepted by the group.
As the group shared their reflections of the weekend, it was unanimously agreed upon that the weekend was informative, eye opening, thought provoking and quite a few perspectives were altered for the better. “I never thought engaging with adults would be this much fun” said a beaming Yamkela, grade 8, who is our youngest branch com member.
“I don’t wish for us to separate. I want us to remain like the family were are, supporting each other and being crazy for change” – One wish from the group.
Lloyd Lungu