I joined IkamvaYouth in 2004 while I was doing my grade 11. In 2005 I was doing my matric. In 2006 I started to volunteer in the organisation while I was doing my first year at the University of the Western Cape. Since then I have been an active member in the organisation. In 2011 I started to work for the organisation. I am the first former learner to actually work for the organisation. I’m real happy to work for the organisation. Giving back to my community is very important to me. Never thought one I would work for this organisation. This also brought a change in my life. I studied Bcom Information systems now I am working as an administrator. While I was studying, I was hoping to work for private companies and never thought I would be working for NGO, but I am happy and satisfied to work for IkamvaYouth. Then I realised that you can study for certain field and working in different field and be satisfied.
Thank You
More than 350 learners accompanied by their parents, volunteers, NGO representatives and friends of IkamvaYouth from Ivory Park, Ebony Park, Rabie Ridge, Kaalfontein and surrounding areas filled the IkamvaYouth Centre hall to its capacity and listened attentively to increase their chances of being selected to become Ikamvanites in 2011.
The sad reality is that of the 300+ learners who have expressed an interest in joining the Ivory Park branch we only have the capacity to admit 120 learners in 2011.
Those who don’t make it are encouraged to join the Thandulwazi Academic Support programme hosted by the St Stithians Foundation on the St Stithians College school grounds. We will be happy to assist with additional information in this regard.
Of course, if government and corporates have keen ears and interest to impact where it matters the most, this is an opportunity to invest financial resources to IkamvaYouth to increase its capacity to take more learners and be part of this life-changing opportunity. IkamvaYouth literally changes the lives and future prospects of our learners but also of the as-yet-unnamed learners to come who will benefit from successful ikamvanites returning to pass on their knowledge gained.
Today ikamvanites attended a memorial service at UWC to celebrate the life of Nomzamo Kali, who was from the Makhaza Class of 2005.
Nomzamo was a learner at Manyano High School when she became an ikamvanite, and she went on to achieve great things. She enrolled in 2006 at UWC at the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, studying information systems. In 2010 she moved on to Honours, and was to become a Masters student in 2011.
Thobela Bixa, an IkamvaYouth board member and classmate of Nomzamos at IkamvaYouth in 2005, gave a heartfelt speech. He urged those in attendance to continue to realise what Nomzamo stood for, and give back to their communities and assist disadvantaged youth to access tertiary education.
University officials appealed to lecturers and students in attendance to continue to strive to produce and be students of Nomzamo’s calibre, and the president of the SRC mourned the nation’s loss of a role model. Nomzamo was not only a high achiever, but also did not wait to give back, and was doing it right from when she left school.
Nomzamo was a talented, beautiful, smart and caring person who inspired many people. IkamvaYouth sends our deep condolences to Nomzamo’s family and friends.
Lloyd Lungu