Life Coaching with Mr Similindile Qiniso Mavundla
It was day 7 of winter school and IkamvaYouthKZN was at it again. The afternoon activities begun and all learners were excited. Mr Oiniso Mavundla, a young man from the township of Umlazi had asked to work hand in hand with IkamvaYouth and bring in some of his work, as he admires what is already being done with the learners. Qiniso enjoys working with the youth, his main focus is to encourage the youth in developing their skills, building confidence and having a clear mindset to achieve their goals.
Over the course of three days, Qiniso delivered inspirational talks to the grade 11 and 12 learners. He began by introducing himself and his purpose, which is to ensure that each learner is aware of what confidence and positive self-esteem could do for you, improving ones communication skills, knowing your dreams and achievements, and knowing how to get what you want in life.
He then discussed in detail with the learners how a person can develop his or her personal skills. Qiniso mentioned that each learner should have what he calls a “Success Mindset”. He encouraged the learners, to take notes and make use of the info given especially since they are at the point where they are getting closer into entering a new beginning where they will have challenges before adapting to new lifestyles.
In overall this meant that the personal development session helps to equip young people to develop a winning mindset and to overcome some of the biggest obstacles in life, such as fear, self-doubt past failures and help them to tap into a new level of thinking where they will see success and abundance and be able to unleash the success that is lying unused within them.
Qiniso empowered all the learners by his motivational talks, showing them different ways of how to achieve their goals, what to look at when solving their problems, be it at home or at school, how to avoid negativity, and to be aware of the dangers one can encounter in life.
Qiniso seeks to have and continuing relationship with IkamvaYouth as he admires the amount of work that is being done for the learners. We surely look forward in working with him in the near future.
Some say it’s empowering to learn your HIV status, others say its better not to know, Ikageng Ikamvanites decided to take control over their lives and know their HIV status. On the 27th July 2013, IY Ikageng branch dedicated the day for HIV awareness and testing.
The Potchefstroom Hospital’s wellness centre team led by Mr. Ramasimong conducted the health awareness workshop as well as HIV Testing and Counselling. The team took us through HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment as well as care. They encouraged Ikamvanites to empower themselves to be in charge of their own decisions, and make getting tested a regular lifestyle. They provided information on local testing centres and contact persons.
Mr. Ramasimong emphasised that whether you’ve tested positive or negative, everyone has a role to play in ending HIV/AIDS pandemic. He encouraged Ikamvanites to stop procrastinating and get tested in campaign for an HIV/ AIDS-free generation. He further encouraged everyone to be part of the solution by always talking to their partner about knowing their status and getting tested before having sex. Ramasimong said ‘If you’re negative, stay negative by using protection each and every time and getting tested regularly’.
”If you’re positive, get treated, though there is no cure yet, there are very effective treatments measures available to help people living with HIV live long healthy lives through use of protection and recomended treatment measures.” The awareness followed individual voluntary testing and counselling on IkamvaYouth staff, tutors and learners
A follow up testing procedure will be arranged in 3 months’ time.
Fear is the biggest destroyer which Ikamvanites managed to conquer, given that we live in an era where treatment is available, HIV is not a death sentence as it is commonly thought to be. Instead, the biggest killer is ignorance. Not knowing your status puts you and others at risk.
Lack of knowledge about HIV results in stigmatization and discrimination hindering chances of an HIV/AIDS free generation as the afected and infected would turn a blind ear in fear of banishement and getting ignored or shunned by their families, communities and work colleagues.
On Wednesday 31 July the Umlazi branch had a visit from DUT journalism students. The visit was for a documentary video shoot for their school project. It was really a simple task for them, come in and take photos and footage of the session and document what happens and how it happens.
The 2 students (2nd year Journalism undergrads Cassandra Zungu and Thobele Nzama) Heard about IkamvaYouth from one of their fellow student and volunteer here at IkamvaYouth , Mxolisi Tanzi. Upon hearing about the programme they decided to profile it for their media planning assignment. They came in and took photos and video footage of the tutoring session. They then interviewed the branch coordinator, one of the volunteer tutors and one of the learners.
They were very polite and were very cautious as to not disturb the actual tutoring session. They asked basic questions like how IkamvaYouth was formed, when? How long have we been in Umlazi? How exactly do people join? They commented that the programme is a very good initiative as education in the township really does need a boost at times. The documentary, once completed will be uploaded to YouTube and we can then share it with our fellow Ikamvanites.
A heads-up discussion with parents led to IkamvaYouth winning the hearts and support of many in North West in a meeting held at IY Ikageng Branch on Saturday the 27th of July 2013. A detailed background of the organization was given and various issues were enlightened giving a clear layout of IkamvaYouth’s aims and objectives as a driving force towards education and development in many poor communities.
The main areas of focus in the meeting included how the IkamvaYouth programme would benefit the learner through tutoring, career guidance, mentoring, e-literacy, and HIV programmes in a culture of self responsibility in learning, participating in IY holiday programmes and learning in a safe supportive environment while accessing free learning support materials. Issues of how the parents can get involved in making IY efforts succeed were also pinpointed mainly involving giving support to boost motivation on learners’ attendance, encouraging learners to participate in all IY programmes, building strong communication ethics with IY staff on matters affecting learners and smooth flow of the programme, help install discipline and build a culture of studying in learners and attending to all IY parents meeting to get new briefs and updates as well as mapping the way forward to successful goal achievements.
It was also discussed that most learners would be hungry when they attend the afternoon sessions making them concentrate less during homework sessions and henceforth ideas were set for parents to prepare more food to cover for learners ‘lunch time at school as well as after school for IY homework sessions. Matters of security pertaining to burglary and theft incidents having been experience almost three times in three months from the Branch’s official opening day were also discussed and ideas were brainstormed on how best the problem could be resolved and these included hiring a security guard to patrol the premises. Parents also agreed that they will report to the branch if they hear or see any of our stolen goods in their community or from their children.
The meeting brief cleared all speculation surrounding IY as it successfully officially opened for the very first time in the North West province. Parents were given a platform to brainstorm on the knowledge they had about IkamvaYouth as their children spent much time with the organization after school hours. ”I do not know much about this IkamvaYouth, but I must admit that since my child started attending to this programme, her school results have impressively improved…this organization is fighting for a good cause fellow parents…”, many parents remarked on this statement agreeably. Much praises over one and half term’s achievements installed hope in many parents and pre-evaluated IY’s great expectations and a gigantic future success.
Mandela Day for us the Ikamva learners
Mandela day, 18 July 2013 for us the Ikamva learners was a great opportunity for us to give back and make a change. We, the learners of IkamvaYouth: Chesterville found ourselves going to the AH Zulu Pre-School in Chesterville right opposite the Youth Centre where we attend the after school tutoring sessions. The staff members of the crèche welcomed us warmly and showed us the rooms in which we were going to be painting. We also helped with washing the windows, painting cartoon characters on the crèche wall and draw a lot of lovely pictures for the kids at the crèche to cherish. We really enjoyed ourselves and it was great helping out for more than 67 minutes.
We did this to give back to the community where we the Ikamva learners reside, the same way in which the former president Nelson Mandela gave his life and fought for our freedom. For us, as the learners of IkamvaYouth giving back is very important because we receive everyday by attending at IkamvaYouth. The tutors also take their time to come in and give back by tutoring us learners. So we were also giving back to the crèche and the community. Our loving tutors also came along to assist us with the cleaning and painting.
I am humbled once again by the selfless nature and humility of the man that is Nelson Mandela. He is a true hero of our people. I can only hope that his story will be treasured for future generations because humanity needs more people like Nelson Mandela. May he live long! May the almighty God bless him and give him longer lasting life.
By: Sine Moesha Majozi (Grade 10 Ikamvanite)
Lloyd Lungu