The weekend of 4th May 2013 saw the Chesterville branch having its 2nd term parents meeting. With the branch having a learner number of more than 130 leaners, we had anticipated a high number of parents to come in for the meeting. However that was not the case with the team having exhausted all methods in trying to get the parents to attend the meeting that still lead to less than the desired number attending.
The meeting started off by parents being introduced to the IY model by us playing the Funeka video for them. After that an open discussion was held to better explain to them the specifics and how IY greatly impacts their children. Many parents that had attended the meeting were parents of learners that had recently joined the program and they showed gratitude towards the programme.
The meeting agenda addressed attendance, report collection, careers indaba 2013 and winter school and the importance of every learner attending the two week holiday programme. Discussions regarding tertiary applications for the matriculants were also addressed in the meeting. Emphasize was placed on how parents need to play a huge role in ensuring that their child has applied for university or any other equivalent opportunity, to also be aware of the cost implications that come with registrations and tertiary fees. Alternatives are provided by IkamvaYouth however parents also need to be armed with knowledge and know the different resources/services that are provided for post matrics.
One parents said that her child in grade 11 initially was not a high achieving child however ever since they joined IY she has seen improvement with regards to her attitude and school work.
Overall from the parent’s perspective, it seems we are impacting the learners greatly and if these learners continue to stay in the programme greater things are sure to come. That can only be achieved through collaborative efforts between the parents and the branch.
Ikamvanites in Grade 11 were honored to come into contact with Professor Jill Bradbury from Wits University and Doctor Jude Clarke, from the University of KwaZulu Natal, who came through to the Ebony Park Branch to talk to the learners about issues surrounding their identity and how it connects with Freedom Day. Doctor Jude, who was in charge of running the program has long been inspired by the IkamvaYouth story and felt that she needed to give back in the only way that she knew how, which was in drama, art and dance. About 160 learners converged at the Ebony Park Branch on the 27th of April (Freedom Day) and they were all excited to also be met by 10 psychology honors students from Wits University who were all geared up for a day of fun and exploration.
Doctor Jude said that in today’s world it is very significant to identify oneself with at least one thing (ones ethnicity, nationality, race, religion, or a particular belief) and be able to connect with others, who might be different from you. Many people still grapple with the notion of identity in many countries, regions, and various ways in order to fit or adapt into any environment (social, economic, cultural, political, etc). Ones identity determines ones position or situation in society whereever one lives. However, finding the right type of identity can be challenging for many people sometimes because of the difficulties they face in the process of choosing their identities.
The learners were all separated into groups of 20 and dance, art and drama became the fun ways in which they began to explore themselves and others. The workshop started at 9 a.m and only came to a close at 3:30pm.
Our Ikamvanites were all so inspired and were very thankful for a very unique and inspired filled day.
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!!
Amalgamated Beverage Industries (ABI) made it possible for IkamvaYouth in North West to make tangible and enduring difference to the academic performance of the Ikageng learners. IkamvaYouth is generously accommodated at the Thembalidanisi Intermediate School, the school that bigheartedly offered 3 classrooms, 1hall, computer room as well as an office space. Late last year, the school was vandalized and stripped of electricity cables, ceiling, plumbing pipes as well as tabs. By the great virtue of renovating our working space, ABI renovated the Thembalidanisi Middle School. Doors and cracked windows were replaced, barglar gates were installed, a wall was broken down to extend the hall, ceilings were replaced, toilets were replaced and repaired, taps and plumbing pipes were replaced, electricity cables re-connected and a library was established. Three weeks of marathon renovations made all this possible.
Our dearest funders went beyond our request for renovations, they established a library. The active reading culture is now becoming a glorious reality for the Ikageng learners. The school’s educators and learners were involved in the renovation process so they could feel they had a hand in the transformation in their school.
ABI hosted a Corporate Social Investment (CSI) day on the 9th of April, at the Thembalidanisi School. This was done in appreciation of the work that they have done as well as to mobilize its staff to oversee the finishing touches on renovations. The crew came in large numbers to help with painting, cleaning and shelving up the library. We had the support from the Klerksdorp as well as the Johannesburg team; they were willing to give up their comfortable offices just to try to make IkamvaYouth feel at home in their working space as well as leave Thembalidanisi a better school than they found it. This is the spirit that drives ABI. A standing ovation goes to the CSI crew!!
We would like to extend a heart-felt thank you to Thembalidanisi Middle school as your generosity helped make our vision a reality. Classes were suspended as the whole school was involved in the final touches of renovations. ABI has indeed filled two needs with one deed.
We owe a huge thank you to our dedicated learners.
Thank you to everyone who took part in the Renovations! Now that’s Innovation!
This week IkamvaYouth, Equal Education and the South African Education and Environment Project (SAEP) will host the annual Careers Indaba.
Businesses, NGOs, professionals, tertiary institutions and Further Education and Training colleges will run information stalls to grade 8-12 students from Khayelitsha, Nyanga, Makhaza, Strand, Kraaifontein, Masiphumelele and surrounding areas.
DATE: Friday, 19 April 2013
TIME: 13h00-17h00
VENUE: Zolani Centre, Sithandatu Avenue, Nyanga, 7750
ENTRY: free
Come wearing your school uniform!
Many learners face challenges when considering their tertiary studies. These challenges include insufficient access to information regarding academic and occupational options as well as affording the cost of further studies.
The Career Indaba provides assistance to learners making decisions about their future. Exhibitors will expose learners to a variety of careers paths and options. Learners will also have the opportunity to learn about scholarships and bursary programs that are available to them.
The programme will include workshops on CV writing, interviewing skills, personal development and study techniques.
For more information:
Marion Petersen
marion@ikamvayouth.org
m: 0798854388
t: 0214224306
Kate Wilkinson
kate@equaleducation.org.za
t: 0213870022
e: 0716824515
Lydia Wasilenko
lydia.eva@live.com
t: 0213870022
This last weekend Nyanganites got together for a highly successful Strategic Planning Weekend, SPW. Learners, volunteers and staff put their heads together and mapped out the year plan for 2013.
Nyanga learners showed that they are youngsters with a vision for their branch and are more than capable of taking their future into their own hands. Together, they outlined the challenges they currently face at the branch, and then came up with solutions to those challenges. The volunteers also brought their best to the session, guiding the learners and assisting them in expressing themselves and working on the different issues that came up during the weekend.
On the last day of the SPW, Nyanganites elected their 2013 branch committee, with some Nyanganites self-nominating and motivating why they wanted to be part of certain portfolios. It was highly gratifying to see the learners and volunteers confidently speaking out and outlining their own strong points.
Find the full report on the following link: spw_report_2013.pdf
Lloyd Lungu