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.
The Ebony Park Branch hosted one of the best winter schools ever this year! With a cohort of 190 learners, the branch was a hub of excitement right from the first day. Our tutors did not disappoint as they came through with such motivation and determination to usher in the education revolution that our communities are in real need of.
On the first day, the 30th of June, we were proud to have one of our greatest role models, Khetha Dlamini as our guest speaker. All learners with 100% attendance in term 2 were awarded with special prizes and tutoring went underway straight after the opening ceremony. Tutoring was done differently this year as we decided to map out a programme of subjects that will be done throughout the 10 days. This was in an effort to make sure the learners cover all their subjects.
The branch partnered with organisations such as LoveLife and Extreme arts and these organisation took over the afternoon sessions until 4pm. LoveLife equipped the learners with HIV/AIDS knowledge whilst Extreme Arts helped the learners explore their artistic talents. There was also a debate club led by our committed volunteers that helped learners with knowledge on what debate is and how they can be good debaters.
The Foundation for Professional Development came through to conduct HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis testing on the 2nd of July and this gave the learners an opportunity to be responsible for their own health. The week got better and better, with Tzu Chi Foundation, coming through to donate rice and stationery to our learners.
On the 11th of July,our last day of tutoring, ABI hosted all our learners at their plant in Clayville. The learners enjoyed this excursion so much that they did not want to leave the ABI premises. Many young minds were inspired and many dreams took a giant leap towards their fulfillment. The most exciting thing is that our winter school can now be seen on a youtube channel (here) created by our media team.
Thanks to everyone who supported us!
On the 30th June 2014 80 Masi learners and tutors met to launch what became an action packed two weeks of Winter School at False Bay College. At the very beginning of Winter School many learners were unsure of their expectations and were uneasy about what was lying ahead of them but needless to say, the first day got us all off to a brilliant start.
The morning began with fun and games at assembly where learners where getting to know the tutors, staff and fellow ikamvanites a bit more in an attempt to build rapport and unity within the group. Walking around the room during these “getting-to-know-you” activities what was interesting to observe was how some of the tutors has so much in common with the learners and vise versa. This activity was certainly in incredible way of breaking the walls that may have existed between learners, tutors and staff.
After the fun and games house rules were set by the learners. The purpose of these rules was to ensure that the two of Winter School brought forth all the desired outcomes in a fun and disciplined environment. After setting the rules, learners were taken on a tour of the campus as this would be their space for the next two weeks.
After the tour, it was time to get the ball rolling with the purpose of Winter School; tutoring. Learners were divided into their different tutoring venues and assigned tutors based on their subject and grade. From the get go, Masi learner displayed a drive and zeal for learning that personifies a true iKamvanite.
After all the hard work during tutoring, learners were treated to workshop in the afternnon ran by various organisation in and around the Cape Town. Organisations such as Iziko Museum , Fundza, Cape Leopard Trust, Love Life and the SA Jewish Museum are just some of the organisations that spent an afternoon with our learners empowering, training and ecnouraging the learners in different spheres of life.
The two weeks of Winter School did not only present an opportunity for the learners to get intensive tutoring but it brought about an opportunity for the learners to get to know each other, the staff and tutors outside of their normal space of tutoring.
The highlight of the entire two weeks was Friday 11 July where Masinites were crowned the Talent Showers winners for the very first time. Well done to the Masinites for claiming their long awaited glory.
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.
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.
Lloyd Lungu