The Ikageng branch held its first ever Strategic Planning Workshop (SPW) on the 26th April 2014. The SPW was hosted at Lemon Blossom Guest House’s conference center in Potchefstroom. In attendance were tutors, learner representatives, the district coordinator- Mr Patrick Mashanda, a visiting tutor from Ebony Park branch- Mr Shelton Chadya and Mr Sello Seitlholo- the Ikageng branch ambassador to North-West University participated with the branch staff in this event.
The day started with a testimonial speech by Mr Chadya followed by a motivational speech from Mr Seitlholo. The branch coordinator, Ms Tshadinyana Phetoe, gave an orientation to the volunteers about IkamvaYouth, its establishment, and the different programmes implemented at IY. The branch’s highlights were presented by the branch assistant- Mr Clemence Msindo. Mr Mashanda addressed the volunteers on the importance of volunteering and emphasized on the value of volunteers at IkamvaYouth. Ms Mary Mothae, a former tutor at Ivory Park, presented the tutor training, and Ms Noposi Majavu, the branch’s intern addressed on learner behavior and expectations. More pressing issues including discipline and dress code as well as commitment were discussed and action points to aliviate these issues were agreed upon. The team was divided into small groups in order to discuss the branch challenges, which were later presented to the whole team. The team brainstormed possible and potential solutions to branch challenges collectively with tutors and learners effectively and efficiently participating in all brainstorming activities.
After a long day of hard work and fun, elections were run for the branch committee. The portfolios which were filled were for head of tutoring; media image and expression; life skills and extramural activities; computer skills; mentoring and career guidance; discipline and library facilities. The election of the BranchCom marked yet another milestone opportunity for tutors to engage more in branch activities and have a voice on critical decisions of the branch. The branch staff is very excited of the newly elected branch com and hope to have a more functional branch going forward.
The collaborative community met on 5th May. The group looked at the challenges of volunteer recruitment and management and the ‘lack of cooperation and support from parents, teachers, school, learners and volunteers’. The solutions that were generated were broadly; to involve, to enthuse, and to foster positive relationships.
Involvement
The theme of the discussion initially centred on cooperation; def. persons working together for a common benefit. Cooperation is therefore a two-way relationship with both/all parties in the relationship working to and for benefit i.e. it is not just the organisation that is benefiting but the volunteer as well.
The important aspect of any stakeholder relationship is that both parties are engaged and committed to that relationship. You cannot hope for cooperation or support from a disengaged partner. So, how do you foster engagement? By involving a stakeholder. Luckily this is generally a continuously reinforcing cycle from; involvement to engagement to attachment to cooperation to support to greater involvement.
Some ideas to involve stakeholders were discussed and you can read more here. When involving any stakeholder patience is necessary. Support and cooperation takes time to build up and disengagement will happen. I read a quote recently which should be kept in mind as we engage our stakeholders.
‘Patience is not the ability to wait, but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting.’ Joyce Meyer.
Passion and Enthusiasm
Another powerful method of engagement is to foster passion and enthusiasm. As our external evaluation noted IkamvaYouth’s staff have an immense passion for their work and their ‘enthusiasm is infectious’ and permeates the entire organisation. Enthusiasm is generally untaught but can be cultivated though finding love for what you do, purpose in what you do, and the ability to see an ideal result/end goal of what you do.
We as a community have found that talking and connecting nourishes our enthusiasm. Many organisations and individuals are working in isolation to deliver tutoring programmes in their communities. We are often doing things that we think are rudimentary or insignificant but for others these activities can offer innovative and ingenious solutions to their challenges.
Sharing information and listening to others, and just bringing passionate individuals together reminds us of the love we have for our work, the sense of purpose that it gives us, the ultimate goal for which we are all working towards (Vision 2030), and that other people are there to help support us.
It is through maintaining our own enthusiasm and passion as service providers, and developing our own abilities that we will be able to deliver a quality service for South African youth. The Collaborative Community is helping to acheive this.
Relationships
The overarching theme of the session was ‘relationships’. Each and every relationship with a stakeholder is different, but what they all have in common is a nature of reciprocity and this must support all stakeholder engagements be it with a learner or the Minster of Education.
The tutor-learner relationship was raised as being fundamental to the success of any tutoring programme. Behind every successful person is a multitude of people and relationships. Some of these relationships have been supportive but unfortunately some have been detrimental. As youth workers, educators, teachers, random individuals with gigantic hearts, we are taking it upon ourselves to be a supportive role in a learner’s life. To provide them with positive role models, dependable relationships, stimulating spaces, and love.
If we can hold this at the centre of what we do, learner attendance will cease to be a problem, other stakeholders will see our passion and enthusiasm, and stakeholders and funders will see the impact, and they will (eventually) cooperate and support us.
The next Collaborative Community gathering will be held on Tuesday 3rd May 9am – 1pm.
New collaborators are always welcomed, but please contact Zoe prior to the event. Email zoe@ikamvayouth.org or call 0744767965.
On the 6th of May, IkamvaYouth Ebony Park branch was invited to The Wits NGO Fair at Wits University campus organized by The Wits Citizenship and Community Outreach (WCCO). The Wits Citizenship and Community Outreach are formally known as the volunteer programme that provides students with an organized approach to community service. IkamvaYouth and many other organizations were invited to interact with the Wits community to exhibit their projects and also inform on how the Wits community can get involve in their projects.
The day started with organizations putting their gazebo’s and stands for students to come and learn about their projects/products. IkamvaYouth Ebony Park Branch staff members and intern, Thandeka Raphakga, took this opportunity to showcase what IkamvaYouth is all about to the Wits Community and also strengthens the relationship they already have with the Wits Community.
The day went on with students asking how can they get involve with IkamvaYouth, what programs does the organization offer, and what are the benefits involved in being a volunteer. Lots of students were eager to join the organization. It came as a surprise to see how people value voluntary work, as one of the students said “Voluntary work is part of a human’s responsibility to give back to the community and it also goes with passion for doing good things to society”. The Wits NGO Fair was a good platform for NGOs to introduce their respective organizations to the students and inform them about the importance of volunteering and also the opportunities involved with volunteering.
The massage is that, volunteering contributes meaningfully to the community while gaining leadership and interpersonal skills.
IkamvaYouth KZN Careers Indaba 2014
On the 25th of April 2014 IkamvaYouth KZN hosted their second Annual Careers Indaba. The event, which saw learners and members of the public walk through the doors throughout the day, was hosted in the Chesterville community hall.
Learners from Umlazi arriving
The vision of the Careers Indaba was to open up new opportunities for youth, providing them with information regarding the various programs, resources and support structures that are available to them. By educating people about the choices that are available to them, we sought to empower them, allowing them to make informed decisions about their futures.
This year’s list of exhibitors included eThekwini Municipality, ABI, CAO, Department of Labour, DUT, Training Force, Servest Group, Piece of Cake Events, Container, Career Planet and Libraries, ASN Teambuilding
There were also a number of interactive workshops on offer on the day, covering topics such as Entrepreneurial Skills, Career Decision-making, Leadership, as well as career choices available at institutions such as UKZN and DUT. These workshops were offered by UKZN, DUT and Gugu, who is a drug counsellor in Chesterville also gave the learners a career motivation workshop.
Learners also had the opportunity to hear from a number of guest speakers throughout the day, who all offered valuable advice about making career, as well as general life choices. Among these speakers, were the local councillor Mam Jabu Jabu Mbongwa, social development manager of the Cator Manor Area Based Management Khanyi Msweli and Brandon Hiemand from Career Planet.
DUT representative Mduduzi giving the Careers workshop
The day ended off with some excitement, as prizes, including t-shirts donated by Varsity College and delicious cup-cakes donated by Piece of Cake Events were awarded. Container, a small, youth-run business created quite a stir with a contest they ran, where volunteers were invited to devour a giant burger in 2 minute! This lead to them being recognised by Nosihle Mthethwa, from ABI, pledged an amazing R10 000 worth of support to see this business continue to grow. IkamvaYouth held a raffle draw for an MTN Stepper Android cellphone, which was won by Tanya Chiyambiro From the Chesterville branch.
Cellphone winner Tanya pictured with IkamvaYouth Staff member Thandazo
Learners at the Container stand
Learners felt that the day was informative, a lot of them reporting that they learnt things that they were not aware of before. Here is what a few learners had to say:
“… learnt that if we work together as isizwe sabamnyama (the black nation) we can make big things ezi valuable and special for izizukulwane ezizayo this was unexpected for real” – Zama Mpanza from Mzwamandla high school
“I Learned that you can apply for whatever you like, it’s just that you will have to do it on time because there are so many young people out there who want to study so have to do it on time ngayalezeli ,imbila yaswela usmila ngakho lokho” (Zulu proverb – meaning even the Hyrax did not get a tail due to procrastination) – Lindo Mbili
Volunteers and exhibitors also felt the day went well. With some exhibitors saying they had not anticipated the number of learners coming through the doors on the day.
“The day was okay. The thing here is the choice is from the individual, it’s their call to make. We can all do as much to inform them about what is available for them and how they are going to benefit we can only hope that they take advice and take advantage of the services we offer them” – Nokuthula from Harambe
Learners getting application advice from CAO rep
We would like to thank the Cator Manor ABM, our main sponsors for this event, for their support (financially and in-kind) in ensuring the success of this event. A special thanks goes to all the exhibitors, guest speakers, and workshop facilitators, as well as learners (as well as principals who allowed them to attend the event), who participated enthusiastically throughout the day. We would also like to thank our in-kind sponsors of this event, include the Playhouse Company (who donated production tickets for our volunteers), Unilever (who donated the gifts for our exhibitors & workshop facilitators), as well as ABI, who provided drinks on the day. Last, but not least, we would like to thank all the volunteers, some of whom were organised by the local counsillor’s office, for all their hard work throughout the day. It was a truly great event and we are looking to hosting a bigger and better event in the future.
On Friday the 11th of April, University of Witswatersrand opened its doors to aspiring high school learners. 35, Ebony Park Grade 12’s came together to see what university life looks like as well as to decide on their tertiary options. With the help of our very committed volunteer Hlengiwe Radebe, the learners were divided into 3 specific groups upon arrival. The humanities groups was led by Nyasha Zvomuya, the Ebony Park Branch Coordinator. The commercials group was led by Michael Thema, the Ebony Park Branch Assistant, and the last group of aspiring scientists was led by Hlengiwe Radebe.
The open day was very organised with 30 minute seminars being hosted by different faculties in different lecture rooms. The facilitators explained what programmes were offered in their faculties, what the minimum admission requirements were and what career opportunities students could look forward to after completing their studies. The learners’ then had ample time to ask questions and meet the lecturers who teach in those faculties. It was a very exciting experience for our learners and has given them an even added push to do well in their final exams.
“I now know what is required for me to follow my dream to be a doctor, if I get accepted at Wits,” said Quintress Sefala, one of the Grade 12 learners. Another learner, Virginia Sibanda, could not express how grateful she was to get the opportunity to attend such a spectacular open day. She said, “Thanks to IkamvaYouth, we know that all things are possible”
On the 22nd of March, both Ebony Park and Ivory Park branches came together to plan for 2014. This years’ Strategic Planning Weekend (SPW) was held at The Barefoot Backpackers, a perfect spacious venue. The volunteers were met with some early morning tea and refreshments to wake everyone up to the busy day ahead.
To start off the day volunteers from Ivory Park, Emmanuel and Richard, introduced the SPW meeting and outlined firstly what IkamvaYouth is and facilitated the setting out of ground rules to guide the day. They laid out their expectations of what they wanted to see as the outcomes of the SPW. Mr Mashanda, the Gauteng District Coordinator took the stand and outlined what will be taking place and he emphasised that he expected all branch related issues to be addressed during the meeting.
Both Ebony Park and Ivory Park branches gave a brief overview of branch activities throughout 2013 and immediately after that the branches broke away into 2 separate groups. The task for the larger part of the morning was to discuss the challenges faced and devise ways to solve the challenges. It was interesting because the volunteers themselves facilitated these sessions and highlighted personal observations and the sessions were very interactive. Specific action points were decided upon and recorded and feedback will already be expected from the first branch committee meetings at the branches.
The last half of the day was dedicated to branch targets and electing a new branch committee for 2014. The enthusiastic vounteers now knew what was needed at the branches and became pro-active in choosing the right candidates to fill the different portfolios.
Overally, it was a very insightful day and it is amazing to see how much support the branches have. Both Ebony Park and Ivory Park volunteers have taken ownership of IkamvaYouth in their communities!
Lloyd Lungu