As Eddie Robison once said, “The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential…these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.” This desire to succeed in academics allowed the Ikamvanites to receive Dr Khubeka, a learning development facilitator for the Academic Development Centre at the University of Johannesburg, for a study skills and career guidance talk.
Dr Khubeka has been part of Ikamvayouth family providing study skills and career guidance talks for many years and his involvement has been beneficial to Ikamvanites, playing an important role in transforming the lives of Ikamvanites through his workshops. Ikamvayouth branches always equip learners with the necessary tools needed to survive and career guidance is one of IkamvaYouth programmes that is being implemented at all our 13 branches. This year Dr Khubeka visited the Ebony Park Branch and conducted workshops with learners from grade 9 to 11. Now that the learners are preparing for their midyear examinations Dr Khubeka came at the right time to inspire them with wisdom on how to tackle different examination questions.
Dr Khubeka covered the following topics in his presentation:
? How to take Examinations and Tests
? Types of Examination Questions
? How to analyse an Exam question
? How to prepare for the study Break
? Tips for Exam success
? Time Management and goal setting
? Analyzing an assessment and how to make summaries
Dr Khubeka’s sessions encourages learners to stay calm in exams, and not to panic, also to be around positive people in times of examinations. Furthermore, he inspired learners to be open minded in their studies. Ikamvanites gained practical advice and techniques to use whenever they are in examinations.
The workshop was extremely valuable for the Ikamvanites and I believe that they received more concrete ideas to use in their studies. One of the Grade 11 learners Thato Shumba said, “The workshop energizes and refocuses my passion to excel in my studies, I am happy that I now know how best to answer examination questions from now going forward.”
The workshop was an eye opener to the Ikamvanites since they were fully loaded with different skills to use when dealing with different examination questions. In his closing Remarks Dr Khubeka urged Ikamvanites to do their best and be confident in their exams.
As the great Malcolm X once said “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today”. Ikamvanites from greater Midrand region, Ebony and Ivory Park, took a golden step in ensuring that the eventuality will inevitably become reality. IkamvaYouth Midrand branches graced the shores of The University of Johannesburg, Soweto Campus for an informative career guidance expo which was aimed at exposing learners to different courses and career fields to follow.
Ikamvanites in grade 11 and 12 wanted to know and understand what their journey still entails and how to go about reaching their ultimate goals and it was also an opportunity for them to recharge their batteries. What better way to start the proceedings than with an introductory presentation about the culture of the university and challenges that are associated with being a student in the University! One of the main challenges the youth of South Africa are facing is lack of funding. The presentation accentuated on the fact that funding may not be a barrier for high school students if they have good marks. The University advises learners to study hard and follow their passion and they will prevail. Ikamvanites and other peers from different schools and regions had the opportunity to get more information on merit bursaries and sources of funding available to them.
A number of departments exhibited on the day including the Faculty of Humanities, Law, Management, Engineering and Economic and Financial Sciences which gave Ikamvanites a whole lot of information for their benefit. Personal breakthrough observations were made, with a majority of the Ikamvanites becoming certain of their career paths. Tsakani Sambo one of the Ikamvanites said “ The career expo was exactly what I needed, It exposed me to a whole new world and careers I never thought existed, IT business management is what hit deep in my heart”. Experience is the best teacher, consequently in our efforts to continue changing the lives of Ikamvanites it is essential that we expose them to the jungle so as when they go to hunt, it is not a foreign land to them. Aluta continua victoria acerta.
Moving from one place to a desired place entails beginning with an end in mind. A wise man once said “It’s very hard to be successful without having a good mentor, it is essential to have someone you can look up to and emulate. Also, a mentor will show you the tricks and pitfalls of the game because they have likely already been around the block.” – Varun Gulati
On this day, 5th of March, IkamvaYouth Ebony Park branch together with Comensa held its mentorship workshop. As part of the five IkamvaYouth programs, Mentoring has been a crucial element in achieving IkamvaYouth goals and Mission. Gauteng Ikamvanites in grade 12 and 11 had the opportunity to network with professionals from different organization where mentoring was the main objective of the day.
On the day, mentors/coaches were given time to introduce themselves and tell Ikamvanites what they bring to the table and how it can beneficial in the long run. The Kolb Learning cycle was used as an example to learners so that they can better understand what role the mentor plays in the mentorship relationship. Ikamvanites participated in a session where expectations and roles were dealt with. Amongst the roles discussed was that a mentor is a facilitator, advisor, source of information, and amongst other things, a networker. Ikamvanites were urged to take charge and drive the agenda.
As it was said before, IkamvaYouth enables learners to make a transition from one current state to another state through mentoring and its other programmes. Through mentoring IkamvaYouth is hoping to Increase high school graduation rates; lower the high school dropout rates, encourage healthier relationships and lifestyle choices; create better attitudes towards school; increase University/college enrolment rates and educational aspirations; enhance self-esteem and self-confidence; improve behaviour both at home and at school; strengthen relationships with parents, teachers, and peers; improve interpersonal skills for learners and decrease the likelihood of drug and alcohol abuse.
As they say “It takes a village to raise a child” and Ikamvayouth is challenging you to join its mentoring program and help a child realise that their dreams are possible.
Their future is in their hands!!
Martin Luther King Jnr once said “life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?”. On Saturday the 23rd of January 2016, the IkamvaYouth Ebony Park branch hosted it’s annual open day to kick start 2016,welcome parents, learners, volunteer, sponsor(ABI),mentors and further strengthen our brand presence in the Midrand.
Our MC, Mr Welshman Dube launched the day with a prayer,followed by an ice breaker to get everyone settled and later presented the “Funeka’s Story” which outlines how Ikamvayouth continues to assists high school learners with their academics.
Sarika Kisten from ABI explained how proud they are to partner with IkamvaYouth as it uplifts the youth of South Africa through education.Tzu Chi, gave a well-received testimony on education, community involvement and the activities that the Tzu Chi Foundation are involved in.
Percy Mabizela, one of our tutors, gave a motivational talk that focused on important life lessons the youth need to learn and apply from the beginning of the year. In his words “Self-awareness is about knowing your talent, your dreams, strengths and weaknesses.” He emphasised that once people know what they want to become in life, they must make decisions and choices that will bring about positive results.
In addition, two of our current Grade 11 Ikamvanites , Meyahabo Rapholo and Njabulo Mutle recited poems that outlined the importance of education and emphasized it’s benefits.
Kefilwe Maake who join IkamvaYouth in 2014 and obtained 5 distinctions,explained how Ikamvayouth assisted her to achieve these distinctions. Kefilwe extended her gratitude to ABI for the the financial and non-financial assistance the branch continues receive.
“Through with hard work and commitment it is very easy to excel in academics” – Kefilwe Maake
IkamvaYouth awarded learners for their commitment and dedication shown towards their studies. Ikamvanites were awarded for achieving 80% and above for attendance and received certificates for participation in Operation Fikelela through Siyakhula Computer School. Awards for the “learner of the Year”, “most improved learner” and certificates of participation were handed to the deserving learners and ABI further praised the learners who obtained distinctions for their respective subjects. At the end of the ceremony, all IkamvaYouth learners received gifts from IkamvaYouth and backpacks from ABI, to thank them for being part of this educational movement.
2016 has kicked off with a BANG and is set for producing more excellent results.
Ikamva Youth: The future is in our hands.
The world is hugged by the faithful arms of volunteers. These volunteers don’t necessarily have the time, but they have the heart. Ikamva Youth values its tutors. What better way of showing our gratitude than taking them to Zoo Lake for team building exercises? Ikamva Youth has made it its culture to appreciate its volunteers throughout the year. This year’s appreciation event was combined between the two GP branches, Ebony and Ivory Park. The idea was to create unity and friendship between volunteers from different backgrounds and walks of life
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“Team building activities are essential for every organization. Some think this is about playing silly games but that is not the case. The team building activities were designed to create unity, develop good relationships between all members, giving them experience of working with different team members and to introduce processes so that they work effectively together. I strongly think we achieved that today”- said the activities instructor Welsh Dube. Participants were required to form teams, elect a leader, create a war cry and complete the challenges set for them. The day was full of laughter, shouting, singing and dancing as tutors were enjoying team building exercises. Both the Ebony Park and Ivory Park staff members handed out certificates to appreciate efforts made and services provided by volunteers to IkamvaYouth.
The categories for certificates were: Outstanding commitment, certificate of appreciation, volunteer of the year and appreciation letters written by IY Director Joy Olivier. Tutors were very happy to receive their certificates. They were shouting, rejoicing as they went to collect their Awards. Ikamva Youth really values their hard work.
As can be seen in our
Annual Report 2014 was the year of growth for us: our matric class was 63% bigger than the previous year, we reached over 1,700 learners and we opened our tenth branch. But let’s not forget why we are here, for most of South Africa’s children, the only way out of poverty is through education. Ikamvanites (IkamvaYouth learners) continue to prove that anyone and everyone – irrespective of the school one attends and the socio-economic status of one’s parents can achieve his dreams and escape poverty.
Please read more in our 2014 annual report about the innovation of our model, why we need more Ikamvanites, hear from the Ikamvanites themselves and why our three largest donors of 2014 (Omidyar Network, Amalgamated Beverage Industries and Capitec Foundation) continue to support us.
It is thanks to these donors and many others that we have been able to achieve the results that we have over the last 12 years. South Africa’s future rests on the success of our children. IkamvaYouth is fundraising to reach even more of South Africa’s children in 2016 and needs your support. Please contact me if you would like to discuss supporting IkamvaYouth or find out more about us.
Lloyd Lungu