“On the third Saturday of September each year (20 September 2014), volunteers around the world take part in the world’s biggest coastal cleanup, known as International Coastal Cleanup Day. The event has been held internationally each year for over 20 years, when people head to the beaches and begin removing debris and rubbish from shorelines, waterways and oceans”.
This year was no different, as the Western Cape Ikamvanites took to the Helderberg Marine protected area coast to clean the 4 km of beach which is the least disturbed part of the northern shore of False Bay. The Nyanga Ikamvanites came out in numbers and were more than excited to participate in such a great initiative of keeping our coasts clean.
Ikageng branch formed their first Branch Com during this year’s SPW in April. One of the mandates for this year’s Branch Com was to ensure that the branch implements all the programmes forming part of the IY Model. To ensure this, Branch Com members heading these programmes were to ensure that they plan and execute different activities for their portfolios during the course of the year. Following this, a Media Committee was formed during Winter School, under the Media, Image and Expression Portfolio. The Media Committee was formed by learners who were interested to take care of the media coverage of the Winter School. The Committee produced photos, video recordings and written reports of all activities and events during the Winter School.
From this initiative, the branch saw a need to develop the skills and further empower and guide them to broader career and recreational opportunities. The branch approached one of the producer at the local radio station- Ms Kgalalelo Sennano, to guide and provide support to these talented Ikamavanites. After just one meeting with her, Ms Kgalalelo enthusiastically agreed to facilitate a series of workshops for our Media Committee. These workshops aims to:
- Provide knowledge and information
- Encourage them to explore career opportunities in media
- Use media to address the social issues faced both by the community and youth in general
- Use media as an educational resource as well as a tool for expression.
Our Media Workshops run over 11 Saturdays, starting from the 13th of September 2014 to the 6th of December 2014. With these workshops, we hope to build more fruitful relationships with the radio station and other local media houses to empower our youth and give back to our community.hipp
National Student Financial Aid Scheme information session at Ikageng IY:
We were privileged to have Ms Cynthia Leshomo and Ntate Nkosaphantsi from N.W.U (North West University), bursary department. Our guests shared and clarified general bursary application processes, particularly the National Student Financial Aid Scheme with our Grade 12 learners.
Our ikamvanites were keen to find out how to qualify for NSFAS, do they need to apply each year or does a single application cover all three years of tertiary, does the financial aid cover all the student expenses or tuition? When does a learner have to pay back and what happens if there is a delay in gaining employment? Should the full amount of the financial aid be paid back? Armed with information, all the grade 12s saw NSFAS as a conduit to achieving their dreams and reaching their goals. All our matrics are completing the application process of financial support.
Twelve(12) learners have applied to North West University, 10-University of Johannesburg and Tshwane University of Technology received 7 applications, now that tertiary affordability has been addressed.
Ikamva Youth,Ikageng branch would like to thank Ms Cynthia and Ntate Nkosaphantsi from North West University for availing themselves and engaging our Grade 12’s Ikamvanites.
“It takes a village to raise a child” African Proverb
The Ikageng branch held a Grade 12 learners and parent meeting on the 30th August 2014 at our tutoring venue, Thembalidansi Primary School. The aim of the meeting was to discuss Grade 12 learner challenges and jointly formulate solutions to address their issues.
Our learners mentioned the a lack of clarity of the role of the parent with applications curriculum gaps created chapters not thoroughly covered at school, learner time management, low self-esteem due to personal circumstances as part of the challenges they are faced with. The parents, learners, tutors and staff discussed the challenges and some of the solutions were the following;
– Parents understand they need to part of each decision made by learners, from choosing careers to retrieving reports from schools. The branch will introduce motivational video “ice breakers” every Saturday to keep learners motivated…..WATCH THIS SPACE..!!!
We held an Interview with one of our Ikamvanite parents: M.s S.M Makale , parent of Lerato Makale- 2014 IY Matriculant, to understand her views of the Grade 12 learners and parents meeting.
Q: How does it feel knowing that you child is part of the first group of Ikageng matrics?
A: I am happy that my daughter is part of Ikamva Youth, there is an improvement in her school ethic and I will give her more support.
Q : Todays meeting, your thoughts..?
A : Well..as tutors, you guys are doing a great job and your presence is a motivation to our children to excel in schoolwork. As parents, we should take initiative and interest in our children’s studies, by supporting them in whichever way we can.
The Ikageng branch held a Grade 12 learners and parent meeting on the 30th August 2014 at our tutoring venue, Thembalidansi Primary School. The aim of the meeting was to discuss Grade 12 learner challenges and jointly formulate solutions to address their issues.
Our learners mentioned the a lack of clarity of the role of the parent with applications curriculum gaps created chapters not thoroughly covered at school, learner time management, low self-esteem due to personal circumstances as part of the challenges they are faced with. The parents, learners, tutors and staff discussed the challenges and some of the solutions were the following;
– Parents understand they need to part of each decision made by learners, from choosing careers to retrieving reports from schools. The branch will introduce motivational video “ice breakers” every Saturday to keep learners motivated…..WATCH THIS SPACE..!!!
We held an Interview with one of our Ikamvanite parents: M.s S.M Makale , parent of Lerato Makale- 2014 IY Matriculant, to understand her views of the Grade 12 learners and parents meeting.
Q: How does it feel knowing that you child is part of the first group of Ikageng matrics?
A: I am happy that my daughter is part of Ikamva Youth, there is an improvement in her school ethic and I will give her more support.
Q : Todays meeting, your thoughts..?
A : Well..as tutors, you guys are doing a great job and your presence is a motivation to our children to excel in schoolwork. As parents, we should take initiative and interest in our children’s studies, by supporting them in whichever way we can.
Lloyd Lungu