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.
Following the success of the matric camp in 2013, the WC team ran the second annual matric camp following directly on after the two weeks of winter school in July. This year saw 85 matrics from the Western Cape branches as well as from the Eastern Cape get together for a week getaway at the Rotary Glencairn camp site, for 5 days of intensive tutoring, academic workshops and exam practice.
The first day saw all the learners arriving at the site and participating energetic team-building exercises to help break the ice as learners started interacting more freely across the branches, working collectively to earn points for their various teams. True to ikamvanite culture, tutoring started in earnest from day one and the learners spent the rest of the afternoon working through past exam papers and Answer Series guides.
Throughout the camp learners have all managed to take part in a variety of activities aimed at preparing them for their final exams and tertiary studies. From intensive tutoring and exam practice to workshops around how to study effectively and evening self study times.
While the camp is a serious study boot camp, with tutoring happening from early in the morning until late into the night, the learners found the time to energise themselves through the terrible weather with an impromptu talent show where learners mixed things up between branches for an evening of singing, dancing, stand up comedy and drama. I’m convinced the next MC Solaar is in this group!
Sixolisiwe sibebosi , a volunteer said the following: ‘The matric camp was very productive to me. Firstly everything was well prepared, the kids were hungry to learn something and that gave me a lot of courage and it motivated me to make sure that I give all and make a change. IkamvaYouth changed my life and I also passed my matric because of IkamvaYouth and matric camp so it was a minor thing for me tor do, I wish I could do more.’
Bonke Sibunzana, a learner from Masi said the following, ‘what I liked about matric camp was how committed the tutors were. They encouraged us to use the tutoring time wisely. I also like how united we were as ikamvanites. We showed love and support for each other ‘, while Nobulali Swaartbooi from Nyanga said ‘Matric camp was a great experience. It was great learning with people from different schools and coming together with all our different ideas.’
This strongly echoes IY’s value of peer-to-peer sharing and IY is excited to witness the fruit of the Matric camp as the learners write their mock exams in September and final exams in November.
A very special thank you to Pick’n Pay Fish Hoek, for generously supplying camp catering, and ensuring that all our learners, volunteers and staff are well fed every day of the camp; Rotary for their beautiful camp sites and ERM for the donation of solar lamps for all our matric learners. This gives out learners going into their final exams the opportunity to study at home in the evenings, thanks ERM!
Good luck for the final exams IY 2014 Matric Class!
IkamvaYouth Gauteng branches, Ebony and Ivory Park, attended the University of Johannesburg Open Day sponsored by ABI on the 30th of July. On the day, ABI organized luxury busses and breakfast to start the day. Both branches decided to gather at Ebony Park to embark on a journey to the University of Johannesburg. A total number of 90 learners and ABI representatives all came to support the event.
Upon arrival, Ikamvanites were given a pack of goodies that included a booklet, map, mineral water and a name tag. All the schools who came for the event were taken in groups for a campus tour to familiarise themselves with the institution. Learners were advised to visit each and every exhibitor that included the sport department, arts and culture, community engagement, language unit, library, PsyCaD, student finance, residences and the student enrolment centre. Exhibition opened at 1pm and schools were welcomed into the auditorium at 2:30pm for a motivational talk from Mr Van Reinsburg. During the motivational talk, learners were told about the importance of getting good results in grade 11 and 12 final exams. Every learner who attended the open day went to the photo boxes to take photos with their friends and the PsyCaD assessment where they had to take an online career assessment that assists them with career analysis and direction. The exhibitors gave learners the necessary information and answers they needed to hear about the programs they wish to pursue with the institution in future. On the day, learners went to the student enrolment centre to apply online for free and also to check their admission statuses if they applied earlier.
The University also mentioned that learners must not obtain 40-49% as their highest mark, rather have 40 to 46 points which will include a 50 and 100% discount on their study fees respectively. The day was filled with encouragements from lectures and fellow students to the learners about the importance of doing well in their studies.
Later, learners were taken out to have lunch provided by ABI. The excitement of being part of an open day was an awesome opportunity to the learners who had never attended one. A young lady by the name of Nomthandazo Nembe from Ebony Park had this to say “this is the best experience I’ve ever had, now I know what I need to do and be also part of this beautiful institution and that is to work hard on my studies. Thanks to IkamvaYouth and ABI for organizing this day, I will forever cherish this moment”.
The day ended with learners taking photos with ABI representatives before they returned to the branch were they met the founder and director of IkamvaYouth Miss Joy Olivier, who advised them to work hard on their studies to have a brighter future.
IkamvaYouth would like to thank its sponsor ABI for making this day a memorable one.
Nyanga Winter School 2014 kicked off on a high note as 107 learners and 32 tutors congregated at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) for an unforgettable 2 weeks of intensive learning, revision and workshops.
Our Winter School opening ceremony was colourful, with learners, tutors and staff talking, singing and laying out the ground rules to govern our behaviour and engagement for the two weeks. Our host, Wandisile Mdepa, representing UWC welcomed the learners and encouraged them to work hard, pursue excellence and make the most of the opportunity afforded them by IkamvaYouth while they are still in school.
Workshops
During the two weeks, Nyanganites participated in 16 different workshops in a variety of interest streams, namely film, media, journalism, drama, business, finance, history, technology, engineering, the environment, life skills, and career guidance. All Nyanganites participated in compulsory workshops on social media, hosted by Mxit Reach, and an HIV/AIDS and TB session hosted by the SACTWU worker health program, after which there was voluntary HIV testing. The Jewish museum generously sponsored an afternoon educational tour of the museum, and the outing was one of the highlights of Winter School for many of the learners.
Tutoring
Nyanga tutors showed remarkable dedication to the learners as they tutored tirelessly for the 9 days, making recommendations for how best to help individual learners in the different areas covered. A record 16 ex-learners tutored at this Winter School, and their presence and stories inspired many Nyanganites and encouraged them in their aspirations to pass Matric and access tertiary education, in pursuit of a dignified living.
Here is what some Nyanganites had to say about this year’s Winter School:
‘I want to thank all the tutors for sacrificing their time to come and teach us what they know. It’s not easy to wake up so early everyday but you tutors have shown that you care about us and our education and we will work hard to make sure that we make you proud.’ Grade 11 learner.
‘I have learnt many things at Winter School, especially in the workshops. I learnt that it is not safe to put all my information on Facebook because there are dangerous people out there, and I must always be careful.’ Grade 10 learner.
Nyanga Winter School 2014 was definitely a success and this was possible because of the combined effort of everyone who planned it and our different partners who conducted workshops. Thank you to UWC for hosting us and to all our workshop facilitators. The full list of organisations, companies and individuals who conducted workshops is as follows:Cape Town Science Centre, Capitec Bank, Environmental Resource Management, Mxit Reach, IkamvaYouth Nyanga tutors, South African Astronomical Observatory, SACTWU Workers’ Health program, Safety Lab, SA Jewish museum, Save Our Seas, SunStep, Lufefekazi Jojo, Raldo Kruger, Sonwabile Dwangu, Tendekai Finos and Ziyanda Tshoki.
Thank you all for your contribution. IkamvaYouth Nyanga appreciates you very much and looks forward to a continued partnership with you.
IkamvaYouth Ivory Park and Ebony Park were invited to this year’s careers indaba. As we are an organization that has academics at heart; we accepted the invite and took along our grade 12s. We arrived at the career affair in the morning, with our volunteers and learners. We were given bags to put all our goodies in, books, pamphlets and all the essentials that one can use to enhance their career choices.
After the formalities, the fun began. Many exhibitors from different countries, institutions and also the SABC Education were there.
Exhibitors, like the University of Russia were there giving learners’ insight on the process of studying at their institutions and what their countries could provide for them and also the process of applying to the different institutions in Russia. The South African Defense Force was also there to answer and advices those who wanted to take a career in the defense force. Our volunteers also received an opportunity to talk to people from organizations like, Careers24,Chilli Adventures, Careers Focus and also the National Development Agency and it was clear that they were more than satisfied. Most of the international institutions such as the China Medical University, Southwest University, Education USA and Peking University of Health Science gave our learners opportunities to ask questions. Some were also displaying their power points, while others where explaining to Ikamvanites and other learners the opportunities that they countries can offer them. Bursary sponsors like the Anglo American, Eskom, Johannesburg Stock Market Exchange and Auditor General were also explaining to the brightest kids about their bursary selection process.
It was day filled with entertainment, excitement and information, fun was had by all.
On the 24th of May, ABI in partnership with the IkamvaYouth Mamelodi Branch planned an educational trip for our grade 11 learners to the University of Pretoria’s open day. The day started with the departure time being 7am, for early arrival. Breakfast was then served to everyone on the way to the university. The rules for the day were announced and learners were put into groups of five with the ABI volunteers and IkamvaYouth staff as group leaders. The aim of the day was for the learners to gather and understand as much information as possible. This open day was a new experience for all our grade 11 learners which proved to be a very eye opening and educational for them. A variety of information was pursued with unlimited eagerness; this meant that they asked a lot of questions regarding the courses and career fields the learners had interest in. Evidently, the aim of the trip was to encourage and make the learners aware of the paramount opportunities that are available to them. Amid the busyness of the day, learners took the time to ask and gather information displayed by the university regarding the extra mural activities that it offers to its students, this ranges from karate, choir’s, Tuks FM and the different sports offered by the university. Overall the open day was well organised, well received by our learners. Every course in all faculties that the university offers was exhibited diligently. Below are two testaments from two of our grade 11 learners, Keitshepile and Thabiso, who shared their experience of the Open day.
“The Open day at the University of Pretoria was fascinating and interesting to say the least. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and became motivated to apply early to the university in 2015. I will make it into the BComm programme and that can only be done by making sure that I pull up my socks & work hard at school. It won’t be easy but I am prepared to do the work. I did not know the various opportunities that I can choose from in the BComm field, the field I aim to pursue. The University offers a lot of extra mural-activities that I would love to participate in, such as soccer and karate. Overall the experience was amazing because I got to know and understand what a university looks like and what it takes to be part of one. I would like to thank Ikamvayouth and ABI for taking us there and allowing us to gather the information we need about the careers we intend to pursue.” Keitshepile Ofentse Mokgoshi – Ikamvanite
“We, the learners were invited to the University of Pretoria Open Day whereby the aim was to gather information about career guidance and academic support. Learners from different backgrounds and schools came together to know more about the courses offered and the marks one needs to get to be accepted into the courses they wish to study. Amongst all the career guidance talks and tours, there was also a bursary competition opened to the all grade 12 learners who wished to study at the University of Pretoria in 2015. There were many other tours and group sessions that were offered to provide clearer details of how the university works. We, the grade 11s were asked to come so that we can be aware of what it takes to study at the University of Pretoria in 2016. This was a great experience because most of the grade 11s don’t really think about post school opportunities and applying at a university but this open day came at a great time to know more regarding careers and other academic opportunities.” Thabiso Tsotsetsi – Ikamvanite
We would like to thank our branch funder ABI for organising and handling logistics for the day. A knowledgeable experience was had by all the ikamvanites that attended.
Lloyd Lungu