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!
Nyanga’s Grade 11 and 12 classes spent an educational, informative, yet fun morning on the UWC and CPUT Bellville campuses on the 11th of May.
The learners were very excited, particularly the Gr 11s; many of whom were attending a university open day for the first time. The group attended talks, lectures, exhibitions, demonstrations and visited the different departments on the campuses as each showcased itself to hundreds of young people all hoping to learn more about possible careers and bursary opportunities as tertiary students.
Here’s what some of the learners had to say about the day:
Being at UWC was such a great experience for me. I was very impressed with the information I got from the faculty of Accounting. I think I have found a suitable career for myself, (B.com). (Nopinki Mba, Gr 12)
Going to the opening day at UWC opened my eyes as I learnt a lot about other careers but sadly they don’t have Bio-medical technology which I want to study. It wasn’t a waste of time though because I got an opportunity to get more information regarding bursaries. (Noluthando Nkebetwana, Gr 11)
On the 13th of May, four of Nyanga’s Grade 10s attended the annual Innovation Challenge hosted by HIP2B2. At the event, the learners got to meet and spend an innovative afternoon with fellow learners from all over Cape Town, who are taking pure Maths and Science as school subjects.
The Innovation Challenges seeks to introduce learners to the fun side of Maths and Science, all the while giving guidance on how these subjects lay foundations for careers in fields of technology, health care, safety and transport.
One of the learners had the following to say:
I had a great time especially while we were designing a dress and a candle stick. What I liked the most was that we worked as a team and everyone was participating.
A huge thank you to our partners at HIP2B2 for inviting ikamvanites to share in this brilliant initiative
2013 mentorship programme started off on a high note for IY Gauteng (Ivory and Ebony). The meet-and-greet session was held on the 04th of May for both branches and grade 12 learners were so excited to be paired with their mentors.
Mentors and mentees at the Ivory Park branch
Mentoring at IkamvaYouth is a year long programme, where a mentor commits to guiding and motivating a grade 12 learner the whole year till they are placed in a tertiary institution. It begins with the ‘meet-and-greet’ session, where the mentor meets their mentee for the first time. Thereafter they can communicate via email, phone, or they can arrange other meetings, notifying the branch staff in the process. The mentor commits to at least 2 hours of communication every month, checking on such aspects as how the learner is doing at school, if they have applied for bursaries, and ensuring they apply to at least three tertiary institutions. The mentors compliment what the branch staff is already doing, only availing further help to the mentee of their choice. Anyone who has been through tertiary can become a mentor.
Mentors and mentees at Ebony Park branch
At the Ivory Park branch, mentors received a warm welcome from Patrick Mashanda, the district coordinator. It was really exciting to have them, with 13 mentors present, and having braved the morning cold to be at the branch at 8am. Suzan Mpufane (mentor) said she was just excited to be part of this mentoring programme and she wouldn’t mind mentoring two mentees. Emmanuel Mogale, a grade 12 learner, noted that it was more fun, and he had a great time. ‘It is indeed beneficial to be a learner at IkamvaYouth and an opportunity like this should never be missed”, he said.
At the Ebony Park branch, 11 professionals availed themselves to meet their mentees for the first time. The mentors came from Eskom, SABC, EOH, and The Legacy of True Beauty. Kasandra Katurura, one of the grade 12 learners at Ebony Park, noted that “Dean (her mentor) actually brought himself down to my level and made me understand basic principles of my academic life, and that is amazing’.
Nyasha Mutasa, the Ebony Park branch coordinator observed that the learners were so excited, while the mentors showed unreserved commitment to help the learners, which made the session a success.
The mentors and mentees signed a mentorship agreement, which is a basic commitment to work together all the way, ensuring the mentee is motivated.
Devendri Pillay of African Bank- addressing learners whose mentors had not managed to come.
Both branches hope to have found mentors for every mentor by the end of May. ABI staff are working on coming to mentor at the Ebony Park branch, while there are more mentors from African Bank for the Ivory Park branch. Thank you beloved mentors. All the best for our Matric 2013 Ikamvanites!!
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.
This years Careers Indaba, organised in partnership with Equal Education and SAEP, saw nearly 1000 leaners come though the doors of the Zolani Centre, all coming to gain valuable exposure to organisations, workshops and other important resources.
The aim on the Indaba is to provide learners with information that will assist them in making informed decisions; a fundamental step in fostering a mind set in the youth of South Africa of pro-active future orientated thinking. It is challenging to dream of a better future and to aspire to goals without knowing the realities of these goals and the opportunities that are available.
The annual Careers Indaba is a chance for leaners to obtain information on where to continue their studies, start working; find out about on the job training, as well as alternatives to studying through volunteer programs or internships. It gives them a chance to investigate their options and talk directly to the people who are able to guide them in the right direction. In addition Career Planet and Kayin from SAEP also offered workshops on CV building, interview techniques and personal development. Skills that are needed wherever your path takes you.
While protests on the freeway kept a few exhibitors away, it didn’t damper the spirit of the learners who came, and a few had this to say,
Kuhle, “I learnt that I have to be confident and choose a career that will require my talents and abilities.”
Zasipho, “I have learnt about my career, where to study, how and where to apply for bursaries and how to be successful in future.”
Ludwe, “I have learnt that even if you come from a poor family you can get a bursary and go further with your education.”
Sikelelwa, “I have learnt that education is your ticket to success and you have to have dreams in order to succeed. Everything you do is all about knowing what you truly want out of life.
Ngeke, “That you must know what you want and understand your chosen career. Understand the advantages and disadvantages of it.”
Anathi, “I have learnt that there are many opportunities for youth out there so there’s no excuse of not having money or being poor.”
Nosiphiwo, “I learnt that in order for me to achieve my dream career I need to focus on my studies so that I can get better results at the end of the year.”
The day would not have been possible without our amazing partnership with Equal Education and SAEP – big up to them!
Lloyd Lungu