The Nedbank My Future, My Career takes learners on behind-the-scenes tours of various career options and inspires learners to set new, informed tertiary study and career goal. All presentations were communicated and delivered via produced films and are screened at Ster- Kinekor cinemas nationwide.
17 March 2013, 27 Gauteng Ikamvanites attended the Career Day in Brooklyn, Pretoria. We left Midrand at 7:00 and we were back at 13:00. Screenings started at 8:30 and lasted for three hours. Various fields of study were screened at the cinema. Each broadcast consisted of discussions from professionals and academics from each featured field of study. Information presented included; guides to choosing the right subject for the right career, tertiary institution entrance requirement, bursary information and contact information.
The learners were able to appreciate the films broadcasted to them. Some of the feedback from them showed how informative the broadcasts were and the value that the Career Day imparts as a basis for decision making when they leave school. Here are some learners’ comments about the presentation.
“The presentation helped me to choose a second career choice” – Mpho (Ivory Park)
“I gained a lot of insight about subject choices and careers” – Cassandra (Ebony Park)
The day ended well, and it was a memorable occasion that I am sure will serve the Ikamvanites in good stead in terms of making informed decisions about their future.
This past weekend, Nyanga learners participated in an important workshop on fire awareness and safety. The workshop was conducted by the City of Cape Town’s fire and rescue services, represented by Ms Nombeko Kopele. The learners gathered in their usual tutoring venue at Zolani Centre and learnt interesting and important realities about fire.
The workshop is very relevant to the learners because fire is a real part of many of their lives as some have had their homes destroyed by it. The workshop covered useful practices to engage in when working with fire, including how to handle live flame, such as candles and some lamps; first aid when someone has been subjected to burns and the reporting protocol when there is a fire. The learners got to see pictures of fires in a variety of settings, such as veld and mountain fires, fires in informal settlements and other kinds of buildings, and visually learnt about the kind of devastation fire can cause.
Ms Kopele divided the learners into different groups and the grade 11 and 12 session doubled up as a career guidance workshop, as she spoke to them about fire fighting as a career path that is open to them post Matric. The learners had many questions about the subject choices they should make in order to work in this field and also the benefits of being a fire-fighter. Ms Kopele was up to the task and answered all the questions posed to her. At the end of the workshop were 90 Ikamvanites well informed about fire safety and protocols.
A very special thank you to the City of Cape Town for delivering this important workshop to the Nyanganites.
Its 2013, we are all settling comfortably into the year. Already we’re headed towards the end of the first term, but that does not mean we do not need to get organised. Each learner is taught how to be responsible and keep tab of everything they do, one of our sponsors gave the learners a head start.
Our great sponsor Capitec realises that we all still need to keep our ducks in a row as we head into the rest of the year. As such, they have kindly donated awesome 2013 diaries to our Matriculants for the year 2013. We had a small diary hand-out this past Saturday as a way to inspire the younger grades to do well and get to matric as well.
The leaners themselves were very happy to receive the wonderful gifts from our valued sponsor; everyone needs a diary after all.
We would like to pass on our gratitude for the kind, and very welcome surprise from Capitec.
On the 9th of March 2013, Ivory Park had its first parent’s meeting. It was exciting to see such an impressive turn out from parents who were willing to work together with IkamvaYouth in achieving some of its goals. Parents who were not able to attend did make an effort to send someone on their behalf. This showed that the parents were very dedicated to IkamvaYouth and also to its programmes. This in turn also proved that the parents have interest in their children’s education.
A number of parents needed clarity as to what we are about. Some of the important issues that were addressed included the following: Financial assistance, the kickout system, parental involvement (consent forms, word of mouth as a recruitment method) and sexual education at home. It’s only been 11 weeks since the academic year started, but it is fulfilling to know that we have made a difference in some of our learners’ lives.
Parents commended us on the work we do and assured us of their continued support to the organisation. Ms Nonyane(Gr12 parent) volunteered to be the representative of parents for our branch. Her commitment and optimism makes her standout. We are happy to have her in our team. Parental involvement is an important factor for learner’s academic achievement.
All the above proves beyond any doubt that our first meeting was a success. We all look forward to a fruitful year.
On Saturday 9 March, IkamvaYouth in partnership with Capitec presented a fire safety awareness workshop hosted by Mrs Nombeko Kopele (Public Education Officer) from the fire and rescue services in Ottery, Cape Town. In December 2012, close to a 1000 shacks burnt down in Khayelitsha with countless people being displaced and with winter approaching, a time when the risks of fires increase, it was an opportune time to educate our learners about the dangers that fires pose, but also give them tips on how to avoid these fires.
The presentation were in two parts, first with the grade 10, 11 and 12s and then with the grade 8 and 9s. The reason for this split was because different aspects were discussed with the different age groups. Although the main focus of the workshop was fire safety awareness, it also allowed the presenter to speak to the older kids about the different careers within fire and rescue. This was very exciting for the ikamvanites because they found out that the training to become a fire fighter or paramedic is only 6 months and that it was really physical. They had a lot of questions to ask and the presenter was very knowledgeable and answered all their questions. Lwazi Fanana, a grade 11 learner, said afterwards that he might consider a career in the fire and rescue field. Another learner Sipho Nqgayimbana, grade 12, asked about the different careers within the fire and rescue fields and the presenter said that careers vary from administration, management, medical to paramedical and firefighting, etc., and that there are lots of skills shortages in this career field and with that a lot of opportunities for young people to join.
For the younger grades, the focus were more on fire prevention tips, what to do in case of a fire or burn injuries and who to contact when you see a fire. The session with them were more interactive and the ikamvanites were able to simulate scenarios, like rolling on the ground when you catch fire, and were shown charts of what to do. All the ikamvanites were told where their closest fire station is and were told to call 107 or 0215901900 in case of a fire or any other emergency. Everyone had a lot of questions for Mrs Kopele and as with the other group; she was able to answer every question.
We would like to thank the City of Cape Town and in particular Mrs Nombeko Kopele and Mr Abdusalaam Allie, Capitec and everyone that assisted with this workshop.
Lloyd Lungu