Friday the 5th of July was the last day of winter school, filled with fun, talent and expression. Innovative Ikamvanites presented their skills in drama and comedy, poetry, singing, dancing, Speech delivery, talk show and sharing real life testimonies, celebrating success in the most exquisite winter school as IkamvaYouth celebrates 10years of existence. Excellence beyond expected limits for a young branch was seen on this day to ever reckon, filled with emotions, tears and laughter as multi-talented learners expressed their hearts out.
The event took place at IkamvaYouth Ikageng Branch in Potchefstroom with the venue having been flamboyantly decorated by dedicated Ikamvanites. The talent show started with two well organized learners taking on the role of presenters, calling upon heart-moving performers to share their talents and abilities.
The singing, poetry and speeches did put emotions on the right spot where as a real life testimony by Thabiso Magaela made tears run down every face present including IkamvaYouth National Coordinator, (Zamo Shongwe) indeed it was a touching moment that needed something to cheer up and bring back the day.
Thabiso Magaela giving a real life story that created rivers of tears
The drama, comedy and talk show was just more than enough to break our ribs laughing.
The acts were well planned and appetizing almost sending everyone rolling on their backs and tummies in laughter.The dancers later stormed the stage with stunning moves adding spice to the already fabulous day.
The day ended well with Tutors receiving prizes and Certificates in honor to their good conduct in making Ikamva Youth’s efforts in community development visible. The day ended sooner than welcome as learners and volunteers couldn’t help sticking around taking pictures amongst each other and bidding farewell as it was the end of the most fabulous Winter School in the history of Ikageng, running under Ikamva Youth as the organization celebrates 10years of operation and success.
While the winter school programme flowed as a normal yearly activity for most Ikamva Youth Branches, in Ikageng it was a whole new glamorous adventure. Kicking off for the very first time, the first week was a learning environment for all players (the IY staff, Volunteers, learners and other bodies involved). Day one started with Tutor training facilitated by Joy Oliver, the main objective being to install rules, knowledge and guidelines on how best to facilitate tutoring achieving positive results.
Meanwhile learners were watching real life motivational videos, followed by setting up of rules and regulations governing the whole winter school operations. Learners were grouped into nine groups and a tutor delegated on each group so they would work together. The afternoon stream was hosted by Mmbane Art and Culture with Aerobics experiences, sharing with learners on how to stay fit and healthy through exercises.
Day two saw the morning session starting with an ice breaker, registering and moving on into English Fundamentals led by Lewis Mash. The activity involved an English exercise where learners were given question papers to answer and engage into revision and discussion to improve their understanding on the subject. Tutoring in all subjects followed with all learners actively studying with the help of tutors from North West University (NWU), Potchefstroom Campus and other volunteers to ensure maximum understanding.
The afternoon sessions went well with Berrie Stoop from the SA Business and Training Academy having come to address the learners interested in Engineering and Business studies on life skills and how they can fit into the respective departments after they matriculate. The North West School of Design was also there to share experience and skills as well as guidance to the learners interested in the same field.
Each day brought new surprises and adventures for Ikageng Ikamvanites with day three and four starting on a new impressive note into Math and English Fundamentals with interesting facilitation by the Maths and English legible tutors and high participation from learners. The continued tutoring sessions captured liking from learners every step forward with the afternoon streams involving a video skype presentation by Thapelo Legkowa, a Journalist from the Daily Maverick for learners interested in Media and Journalism and life skills presentation from FAMSA.
Having successfully completed the first week of its first winter school, Ikageng started the second week on a higher note with much activities taking place throughout the week. Continued Maths and English exercises and intensive tutoring on all subjects throughout the four days of week two greatly benefited the learners. Career guidance workshops proceeded with more presentations from FAMSA and SA BTA continuing. The NWU Department of Social Studies represented by Dr. Goodrich also came in to present on the social history, advantages, chances and requirements of getting into Social Studies. Victor Boqo, a photographer and journalist from the Potchefstroom Herald and Gazette also came in to guide learners into Media and Mr Ramotale Ramasimong from the Potchefstroom Health and Wellness Centre Presented on HIV/AIDS and health issues.
Friday the 5th of July was the last day of winter school, filled with fun, talent and expression. Innovative Ikamvanites presented their skills in Speech delivery, Drama, Poetry, Talk Show, Comedy, Singing and dancing, celebrating success in the most exquisite winter school as IkamvaYouth celebrates 10years of existence.
On Tuesday afternoon, in the plush settings of the Emoyeni Conference Centre in Parktown, Johannesburg, the Mail and Guardian launched their annual 200 Young South Africans special edition – and for the third year in a row, an Ikamvanite was on the list!
The event was filled with some of SA’s best and brightest young people, dressed up to the nines. Champage flowed, MC Loyiso Gola cracked jokes, and much networking was had by all. But the real highlight was seeing our amazing Gauteng District Coordinator Patrick Mashanda get some of the recognition he so richly deserves. Patrick has been changing the lives of young men and women in South Africa since long before he joined IkamvaYouth, and his impact is only going to grow from here.
Patrick can be found on page 43 of the Mail and Guardian supplement, in the education section. Grab yourself a copy, and be inspired!
IkamvaYouth equips learners from disadvantaged communities with the knowledge, skills, networks and resources to access tertiary education and/or employment opportunities once they matriculate. It is a great place for youth that are aiming high in life, who wish to reach great things in future. However, learners who suffer from personal or emotional problems are less likely to succeed academically, stay in school, and develop a love of learning. Some of the Ikamvanites reported a lot of challenges that they experience in their daily lives and requested for assistance.
Ikageng Branch joined forces with Family And Marriage Society of South Africa (FAMSA) to address personal and emotional challenges experienced by Ikamvanites. FAMSA is an organization that aims to empower people to reconstruct, build and maintain a sound quality of life. The purpose of the collaboration is to provide Ikamvanites with support to help them succeed socially, emotionally, and academically. FAMSA committed to provide individual counseling, support groups as well as interactive workshops. The ultimate goal is to promote academic success, enhance health, and prevent behavioral problems.
On the 06 of June 2013 Ikageng Branch held an interactive discussion session with the FAMSA team, lead by Ms Rhulani. The session involved a discussion about common issues facing township youths; risky behaviors and unhealthy choices. Ikageng learners reported a lot of challenges experienced by the youth in the Ikageng Township. Ms Rhulani thereafter introduced the concept of a support group as a group that presents information, provides comfort, teaches coping skills, helps reduce anxiety, and provides a place for people to share common concerns and emotional support. Ikamvanites were keen on partaking in the group.
FAMSA volunteered to run workshops during Winter School. They will run workshops within an allocated activity stream. They requested the branch to prepare topics for the workshops, FAMSA suggested topics such as:
- Life Skills
- Self Growth & Development
- Relationship Workshop
- Conflict Management and Problem Solving Techniques
- Emotional Intelligence
- Time Management
- Self Awareness and Awareness of others
- HIV awareness and prevention programs
The interactive workshops will include the use of training tools such as charts, role plays, group discussions and sometimes video footage, the aim is to empower young people in the decisions they will have to make both in the present and in the future.
A very special thank you to FAMSA for joining forces with IkamvaYouth in addressing learners’ social and emotional needs and connect such supports to stronger academic achievement.
In order to comply with the Health & Safety Regulations, on the 1st of June 2013, IkamvaYouth’s Ikageng Branch participated in a Fire Safety Awareness workshop. The workshop provided employees, learners as well as the volunteers with essential knowledge about fire safety, how to prevent fire from starting as well as what actions to take if fire does break out.
The workshop was conducted by the Shakaneng Skills Provider Emergency Service, represented by the Training Coordinator Mr. Mahlangu. The Ikamvanites gathered in their usual tutoring venue at Thembalidanisi School and learnt interesting and important realities about fire.
The workshop covered useful practices to engage in when working with fire, including how to handle live flame, first aid when someone has been subjected to burns and the reporting protocol when there is fire. Ikamvanites had an opportunity to practice extinguishing live fire using fire extinguishers.
Mr. Mahlangu further enlightened us on various career paths within the fire and rescue fields, ranging from administration, management, medical to paramedical and firefighting and pointed out that there are lots of skills shortages in this career field. Ikamvanites had many questions about the subject choices required in order to work in this field and also the benefits of being a fire-fighter.
The session was very interactive and the Ikamvanites were able to simulate scenarios, like rolling on the ground when you catch fire, and were shown charts of what to do. All the Ikamvanites were told where their closest fire station is and were instructed to call 10177 or 0184627219 in case of a fire or any other emergency.
We would like to thank the Shakaneng Emergency Service and everyone that assisted with this workshop. We look forward to the firefighter training.
Knowledge is power and Information is liberating!!!
On Saturday, 20th April 2013, the newly established IkamvaYouth Branch in Ikageng, North West, held its very first Open Day. A huge effort went into preparing for this day, and it was satisfying to see the effort being duly rewarded with a great turnout on the day. We were honoured to have IkamvaYouth National team, Gauteng team, ABI, Department of Education, Thembalidanisi School and its representatives, parents, volunteers, Ikageng community, aspiring Ikamvanites as well as Ikamvanites.
Ikamvanites formed a guard of honour at the gate, welcoming our honourable guests as they arrived. A warm welcome was rendered by a very energetic MC, Modjadji Selowe, Ivory Park Gauteng Branch Assistant. The Thembalidanisi learners opened the programme with a gumboots dance and a welcoming song that kept everyone entertained. The Ikageng Branch Coordinator, Zanele Mdletye rendered welcoming remarks to the guests, in turn, the Ikamvanites and the guests joined in, in wishing Zanele a happy birthday, a very special moment! Our guest speakers expressed positive observations about the IkamvaYouth model and offered their support.
Mr. Fanie, the Thembalidanisi School principal as well as Ms. Yessel, Area Manager from the Department of Education shared how they had doubts about the programme initially. However after witnessing the model in action for the past two months, they believe and support the programme. They expressed gratitude’s to IkamvaYouth and ABI for renovating the school as well as opening the first IY North West branch in the Ikageng area. They committed to support and wished us growth in the North West Province.
ABI Goldfields District Manager, Mr. Roston Bibb, spoke about the role played by ABI in the communities and expressed gratitude for a good working relationship they have with IY. He further addressed the crucial role played by IkamvaYouth in communities.
Joy Olivier, IY Director took us through how IkamvaYouth was established, as well as why Ikageng. National Coordinator, Zamo Shongwe explained the IY model and what is required to become an Ikamvanite. She outlined learner and parent responsibility, the attendance requirements as well as explained reasons for possible dismissals/ kickouts. Parents and learners asked questions to which Zamo gave clarity.
In closure, the Ikageng Ikamvanites sung their souls out and left the audience with goose bumps.
As the final part of the day, the Ikamvanites and ABI engaged in a game show battling through questions for prizes. The prizes were sponsored by ABI. Patrick Mashanda, the Gauteng District Coordinator rendered voted of thanks to our guests on behalf of IY and closed the programme.
Thereafter lunch was served, sponsored by ABI.
It was humbling to see such support, this spirit made this a really successful and positive day all round. Barely three months old, Ikageng Branch has laid a very firm foundation in the North West Province. Now, that’s innovation!!
Lloyd Lungu