As the year 2016 draws to a close, it is important to look back and celebrate the achievements of the year gone by. The Nyanga Prize Giving was held on Friday, 02 December at the Nyanga branch. With the weather permitting, the event was held in the quad of the Zolani Centre. The event was attended by parents, volunteers, learners, IkamvaYouth staff members and neighbouring stakeholders at the centre.
It was great to see most of the Nyanga learners wearing their IY t-shirt with pride. After the welcoming address from the Branch Coordinator, a moment was taken to highlight all that has gone well for the Nyanga branch in 2016. Emphasis was placed on the positive achievements of 2016, as we often like to dwell on the trials and challenges instead of the triumphs. Included in the major achievements of 2016 was: Winter School 2016, Matric Camp, the branch’s partnership with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Girls and Boys Club and winning the national T-shirt design competition. After highlighting the achievements of the branch, it was time to move on to the individual awards ceremony.
The energy among the learners seemed to lift as the individual awards ceremony began. The awards categories included attendance, outstanding academic achievement, most improved learners, learner of the year, matric learner of the year, excellence in English and many others. A new category introduced by the Nyanga branch was the award for ‘Shining Stars’. The ‘Shining Star’ award was received by learners who are not necessarily in the top 5 academically but do show great potential and take initiative at the branch. The winners of this award received a letter of recognition and appreciation, accompanied by a chocolate surprise and a ruler. In giving this award, we wished to reward and recognize all that they do for the branch and to encourage other learners to do the same.
[A group of learners pose with their certificates]
The volunteers were not left out of the awards ceremony. All the volunteers received a Certificate of Appreciation and a small gift. The awards ceremony was closed off with a few special gifts to recognize those who have contributed greatly to the Nyanga branch’s success in 2016. The branch did not forget to thank and recognize Lawrence, the branch security guard who goes above and beyond for everyone at the branch. The event was then closed off and refreshments were served.
The Nyanga branch is grateful to have so much to celebrate in 2016.
On Saturday 12 November, the Nyanga branch hosted the last tutor appreciation event for the year. Unlike previous tutor appreciation events, the Nyanga tutors had no idea where they would be going for the event. The invitation brief stated that the dress code was casual and that everyone was required to wear closed shoes. The day began with the usual tutoring session at the branch. All that the tutors knew was that they were going somewhere after the tutoring session. The branch staff kept the tutors in suspense until they had reached their destination. The mystery event was bowling!
It was time to let the games begin. The group was divided into four small teams that would play alongside each other. The game consisted of ten rounds for each team and all team members were required to participate in each round. It didn’t take the teams long before the race to the finish line began. The teams cheered each other on as the rounds drew closer to the finish line. It was the most competitive and focused team that emerged as the champions of the day. Everyone agreed that it was purely just a coincidence that this group only had male team members.
After the excitement and rivalry of the game it was finally time for lunch. After lunch, the group headed to the game arcade for more fun and games. The rivalry from the bowling alley disappeared and the tutors started working together for a common goal: winning as many coupons as possible in order to redeem a prize that can be taken back to the branch. With over 500 coupons collected, the group was able to purchase Playing Cards and Snakes & Ladders for the branch. It was great to see that the Nyanga tutors think about the branch even when they are not volunteering. It was also great to see our tutors and branch staff battling out on the bowling alley.
We are grateful that this small token of appreciation was well received by all those who attended.
[Tutors enjoying a selfie moment]
On Saturday 29th October, IkamvaYouth Nyanga hosted a Games Day for all the learners. As exams drew nearer, we decided it would be a great idea to relieve the exam stress through an afternoon filled with fun and laughter. Recognizing that it is a critical time of the year, the learners first completed the academic tutoring session as per normal. After 12:00pm it was pens down and hello to the board games!
Thank you to our friends at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) for donating fun board games for the day. There were nine game stations set up; with each game station offering a different board game. Learners played in small teams and rotated game stations after a set time. The board games available included Monopoly, Chess, Dominoes, Uno, Jenga and many more. The tensions at the Jenga and Chess stations were high, while the pressure kept on building at the 30 Seconds station. Learners, volunteers and staff alike were engrossed in the different board games.
[A learner and tutor battle it out in a game of Chess]
After the fun-filled and competitive afternoon, lunch was served with a few treats for the road. The afternoon was closed off with a fun yet tricky competition which involved maneuvering an Oreo biscuit from your forehead to your mouth without touching it with your hands. This was the perfect ending to a lovely day. It felt good to have an afternoon of pure fun and games at the branch.
We are especially grateful to our superhero tutor Nosipho Mjiyakho and our friends at PwC for making this event possible.
On Saturday, 27th August 2016, we received a surprise visit from one of our Accounting tutors, Nosipho Mjiyakho who works for PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). This was not just an ordinary visit, Nosipho was sent by PwC to drop off stationery for all our learners at the branch. This was really exciting news for us as we know that our learners are in need of stationery so we were also excited as staff to share the news with the learners.
The stationery donation included exercise books, flip files, exam pads, pens, rulers, erasers, pencils and even calculators. We are so grateful to PwC for this gift because it will really be helpful for all our learners.
We distributed the stationery packs to our grade 9 and 10 learners on Monday the of 29th of August and to our grade 11 and 12 learners on Tuesday the 30th of August. The learners were all smiles after receiving their stationery as this was really unexpected. After the Post Mandela Day Celebration at the branch earlier this month, we did not expect that PwC would come back to the branch so soon. We are really grateful.
One of our grade 9 learners, Ayakha Ndzuzo said: “PwC has really helped me with the stationery, I am grateful and cannot wait for the PwC employees to visit the branch again so that I can say thank you in person”
The Nyanga branch is thankful to PwC, its employees and our amazing superhero tutor Nosipho Mjiyakho.
On Friday 12th August 2016, the grade 9 and 10 learners were fortunate to spend some time with employees from Pricewatercoopers (PwC). It was an exciting afternoon for our learners as they were only expecting a talk before getting back to their books. Instead the PriceWaterCoopers employees brought along board games marking the beginning of a fun-filled afternoon.
The learners were divided into small groups and played different games including 30 Seconds, Monopoly, Twister, Wikipedia, Dominos, Snakes and Ladders and many more. With music playing in the background and the learners having fun with the guests, it felt like a celebration.
One of grade 10 learners, Yolanda Ntesha said: “It was enjoyable and it would be really great if PwC employees decided to come back again and spend time with us. We enjoy having visitors at the branch.”
It is always great to see people taking time out of their lives to give back to young people. We appreciate PwC for availing their employees. We are grateful as IkamvaYouth and our learners definitely enjoyed it. At the end of the event, PwC handed over food packs for the learners and trust me when I say it was a wonderful treat for our learners.
Thank you PwC ?
Results, Results, Results
We are headed towards the close of term one this means reports will be coming in, results tabled and the robots shall light up.
We are looking forward to tabling the results for the first term.
Lloyd Lungu