The Nyanga lab has recieved a generous donation of a Workio 8020 printer from PanSolutions. The machine is a multi-functional one which can print, copy, scan and fax documents. A PanSolutions representative who opted not to be named said the following: ‘At PanSolutions we try to reach out and help the community in whatever way we can’.
A huge thank you to PanSolutions for this generous donation.
Zamo Shongwe, the IkamvaYouth National Coordinator has been featured in a Mail and Guardian Book called, ” The Mail and Guardian Book of South African Women.” Tuesday 7th of August was a very memorable day for IkamvaYouth as the nation celebrated and acknowledged Zamo and other women who have dedicated their lives to making South Africa a better nation. These women featured in the book, were noted to be women who have achieved the impossible, frequently with few or no resources.
The 2012 edition of the book was launched at Middleton Hotel in Sandton and was filled with laughter, fun, art , entertainment and a call for women to do more in our communities. The book which started seven years ago is a celebration of our country’s women and is supported by Nedbank.
You can check out the book by clicking here and Zamo’s profile can be found by clicking here.
We are all so proud of you Zamo!
Do you know what you want to do after Matric?
This is a hard decision, one that requires a lot of information and careful consideration, but IkamvaYouth and Equal Education are here to help. We would like to invite you to our 2012 Careers Indaba.
Come join us on the 14 September 2012 in the Zolani Centre in Nyanga (across the road from the Nyanga bus and taxi rank), and is open to grades 8-12.
Address:
The Zolani Centre,
Sithandatu Avenue,
Nyanga
7750
Directions to Zolani Centre
From Cape Town city centre:
Get on to the N2 toward the Cape Town Airport and Somerset West.
At junction 18 take right on to Borcherds Quarry Road (signposted to Nyanga/M22)
Follow this road down to the T- junction at the taxi rank and take a left on to Sithandatu Avenue
The Zolani Centre is on your left immediately and you can turn into the car park straight after the first set of robots.
The purpose of the Careers Indaba is to expose you to new opportunities, provide information about various study options, learnerships and volunteer programs, resources and support structures. In addition the Careers Indaba will offer workshops on CV writing, interview techniques and personal development. These are skills you will need wherever your path takes you!
Why should I come?
Whether you want to continue your studies, start working; find out about on the job training these choices require information and planning. Alternatively do you want to apply for a volunteer program or internship? It is important to start investigating your options now. At the Careers Indaba you will be able to talk directly to the people who are there to guide you in the right direction.
What are my options?
1/ Continue your studies: Do you want to become a teacher, doctor, electrician, scientist, a lawyer, hairdresser, accountant or nurse? All these positions require you to study further. At the Careers Indaba you will be able to discuss your options for universities, colleges, and Further Education Training (FET colleges)
2/ Working & on-the-job training: Do you want to make your own way and be an entrepreneur? Find our what it involves running your own business or learn while working through learnership programmes. At the Careers Indaba you will be able to find out about these options.
3/Volunteering, Internships and Gap Year Programmes: Do you want to spend some time deciding what your next step is, or getting to know yourself and the world about you a little better? Do you want to give back to your community or volunteer and gain valuable experience in a specific field? The Careers Indaba will give you the opportunity to find out more about this.
Spread the word, looking forward to seeing you all there!
This past Saturday (4th August) Umlazi had it’s very first parent’s meeting. It was a bit disapponting to see just 10 parents at the meeting. Most parents called and sms’d saying they can’t make it. This raises the question of weather parents show enough interest in their child’s education. Are they really showing their child that they as parents are there for them.
The meeting was intimate and we got a chance to talk to the willing parents about their children and how much they, as parents, participate in the learners school experience. It seemed to me as though most parents do not really kno whow to help learners feel more confidence and motivation towards school. The big debate is, is it the parents duty to ensure the child is performing well at school or is the sole responsibility of the learner.
Some parents feel that their children are not giving school enough energy and dedication. They see the issue, but are clueless as to how to fix it. They feel that the children need to up their concentration levels and general love for learning. Some parents are commending the work we do though, they see improvements in the childrens academic perfomance already. With only 1 term behind us, it is very fulfilling to know that we already made a difference in some learners lives.
Something must be done to motivate learners. There has to be a way that we as IkamvaYouth can work hand-in-hand with parents to do something about this issue.
Every IkamvaYouth programme is aimed at ensuring that every Ikamvanite ‘becomes something’ through education. It is so humbling and encouraging to realise that our sponsors are prepared to give more than just financial assistance for the best of Ikamvanites. African Bank staff has demonstrated genuine commitment and interest to mentor 6 of our Ebony Park grade 12s.
The mentoring programme provides Ikamvanites in grade 12 with the opportunity to get one-on-one support from individuals who are in tertiary, or have been through tertiary. Such support includes ensuring the Ikamvanite accesses post school opportunities as well as inspiration and motivation. The Mentor’s personal experience through tertiary education provides valuable inspiration for the township learner to realise the possibilities of success through hard work, and how education can emancipate them from poverty.
the_joy_of_mentoring_ikamvanites.pdf
The Mentors from African Bank met their Mentees for the first time on Saturday the 4th of August, and spent an hour getting to know each other, as well as signing the mentorship agreement. The mentors and mentees chose to sit in the sun, in a relaxed but confidential setting. The immediate proof of the effectiveness of the mentorship programme was that one of the Mentors offered to pay for her Mentee to apply at Tshwane Universty of Technology (TUT). The Mentors and the Mentees agreed to give the best to the relationship. The Mentors marvelled at how positive all the mentees were about the mentorship programme. The Mentors made a commitment to bring more of their colleagues to become mentors.
While African Bank is funding our Ivory Park branch, which will only have the first group of grade 12s next year, the Mentors are so committed that they did not mind mentoring at a branch that their company is not funding. So, it is giving more than just financial support. They are giving to a good cause. Many thanks to Devendri Pillay (African Bank representative) and her colleagues for stepping in to avail the much needed mentoring service to the learners!
I have always loved giving back and helping out wherever and whenever I can, so when I saw the opportunity to give back on Mandela day via “Cheesekids for humanity” (An NGO founded by the philanthropist – Shaka Sisulu) I immediately got excited and registered on their website.
I wasn’t alone in this as I was accompanied by my dear friend and Umlazi tutor Zandile “Dizzy” Dlamini. The giving back was initially scheduled for the 15th of July and due to weather conditions in Johannesburg and Cape Town at that time it couldn’t happen, (of course Durban was sunny and bright as usual). The date was then postponed to the 29th of July with hope that the weather would not be as gloomy as it was for the past two weeks. The 29th of July came and sadly the turn out wasn’t that great as we all had anticipated, assumingly everyone was “over” the Mandela day spirit however that didn’t stop us from our mission to make a change.
Each cheeesekid would be allocated to one of the surrounding townships of Durban which were (Marianhill, KwaMashu, and KwaNyuswa). We found ourselves in Marianhill at the Jabulani Self-Help Centre. The Jabulani Self-Help Centre provides help through self-help projects and support for disadvantaged women and their children. The centre was founded in 1988 by Sister Macro Gneis with help from the missionaries in the surrounding areas. Our task for the day was painting and brightening up the recreational rooms, halls and activity rooms the kids use at the centre.
Interestingly enough Marianhill is the place I grew up in for most of my childhood and were Zandile’s family grew up in and this was very humbling which reaffirms that nothing happens by chance. It was a really gratifying experience and hope that everyone doesn’t wait for days such as Mandela day to give back, making that small difference in just ones person’s life is a huge difference itself. And at IY we do that all day and every day.
Cheryl Nzama
I’m a Cheesekid, have been for the past year. I joined Cheesekids last year in July just before Nelson Mandela Day, soon after encouraged my friends to join in too. Being a Volunteer means a lot to me because it means I am able to make a difference in someones life which is something rare these days, a lot of people are only concerned about themselves and how they will benefit and are less caring about the needy and less fortunate. I believe in giving without expecting anything back and taking with appreciation.
This year Cheesekids has had a few charity events, the latest one being the Nelson Mandela Day Revolution which I took part in and had fun, although there were a lot of disappointments with attendence from my usual Cheesekids crowd, it was lovely experiencing something new with new people. Painting the buildings at Jabulani Self-Help Centre was rewarding for me and those who use the centre because I had fun while giving back to a community my family grew up in and those who use the centre get to have a welcoming place that adds colour and hope into their lives .
Zandile ‘Dizzy’ Dlamini
Lloyd Lungu031 909 3590
lloyd@ikamvayouth.org
2525 Ngcede Grove, Umlazi AA Library, 4031
Lloyd is a self-disciplined and highly goal-driven Industrial Psychology Honours graduate. He is currently a Master's candidate completing his second year of M.Com in Industrial Psychology at the University of the Free State. Lloyd joined IkamvaYouth as a learner in 2012, after matriculating he came back and volunteered as a tutor for the duration of his undergraduate studies at UKZN. He later worked as an Intern in the Chesterville branch. His passion for youth empowerment and inclusion has grown enormously through his time and experience gained within IkamvaYouth and has inspired him to provide career guidance to young township people. He is currently working at the Umlazi Branch as a Branch Assistant.