IkamvaYouth Ebony Park, held the 2017 open day on Saturday the 28th of January. This open day was attended by over 340 people, most of which were IkamvaYouth learners, parents, community leaders, educators and IkamvaYouth volunteers.
This magnificent affair kicked off in the morning and was blessed with beautiful weather. We had a lot of activities which kept everyone present energized and informed about IkamvaYouth and its programmes. Lerato from the Ivory Park branch started the programme with a video presentation of the IkamvaYouth model. IkamvaYouth maintains a 1:5 ratio (one volunteer for five learners). Lerato explained that this ensured that enough attention is given to each learner. During her presentation Lerato reiterated the IkamvaYouth mission, which is to enable disadvantaged youth to overcome poverty through education.
The programme for the open day was engaging and informative. Welsh Dube, a committed IkamvaYouth Ebony Park volunteer, lead the programme as MC.
Amongst the many activities was motivational speaking by Percyval Mabizela one of Ebony Parks longest serving tutors who spoke about keys to open doors to success in 2017. Laughter erupted across the hall with a comedy performance by a former Ikamva learner from the class of 2016 Andrew Fezile Sicongwane.
Learners, parents and community members were mesmerized by a presentation from IkamvaYouth Alum Kefilwe Maake, who matriculated in 2015 with five distinctions, and is now doing Chemical Engineering at the University of Cape Town. The top performer for 2016, Motlatso Maredi, obtained three distinctions and will be studying at UCT towards a Bcom in Accounting Science.
The highlight of the day was the prize giving ceremony, which awarded outstanding academic achievers with generous prizes (Casio calculator, bags, power banks, certificates and diaries) sponsored by Coca Cola Beverages South Africa and IkamvaYouth. Among those who attended were sponsors and IkamvaYouth partners such as Tzu Ching Foundation, an organisation devoted to spreading love through its work in charity, medicine education and culture. Long serving sponsor and partner to IkamvaYouth Coca Cola Beverages South Africa was represented by Lebogang Tlomatsane who gave a presentation on the relationship between IkamvaYouth and Coca Cola.
Kudos to all involved with IkamvaYouth Ebony Park for making this open day a success. Much gratitude to the sponsors for helping IkamvaYouth fulfill its mission and for sponsoring this event. Truly IkamvaYouth 2017 Ebony Park open day has unlocked doors to success in 2017.
Each year, IkamvaYouth Mahikeng takes over the Danville Secondary School hall to end the year with a Prizegiving event. This is a celebration of the learners’ achievements and efforts across a wide range of disciplines, improvement and academics. Compared to last year, the branch experienced a full house,with the occasional tissue required at times!
Several attendees asked to read the annual Prizegiving speech, given by Katlego Mosupa, a Grade 10 learner from Setumo Secondary school. You can read this speech below:
“Our dear parents, tutors and fellow Ikamvanites. It is with great honor that I am standing in front of you today to express my gratitude to our IkamvaYouth tutors and staff. I always come to the branch with the excitement and with the hope that I will be assisted. Tutoring sessions are never disappointing to me. We have committed tutors who always go an extra mile to assist us- the learners”.
Dressed in Vintage, one learner was voted dressed for the day by the parents. Ontlametse Banda, who was looking splendid received a breakfast voucher from Wimpy to use during the December holidays.
Amongst the other things, Refilwe Botipeng, a Grade 10 learner from Danville Secondary received the “Learner of the year” award. The decision was based on among others, her behaviour and manner; always arriving at the branch on time; always striving to speak English and respect on a broad scale- respecting the learners, tutors and staff. She hands in her term report without a push, and on time and practices peer-to-peer support to the fellow Ikamvanites. The Programme Coordinator, Bonolo Thebe, thanked the amazing tutors who so generously and willingly have given up their time to ensure the marks of the learners improve. She also thanked the stakeholders and parents for their support, as well as the learners for their commitment. Bonolo ended off by wishing learners happy holidays hoped to see them next year with tons of energy.
Photo of Ikamvanites, Parents and IY Relatives
The event is where we celebrated a wonderful year of many significant achievements. The branch equally acknowledged all the Ikamvanites who used the opportunity in the year striving towards personal growth and academic excellence. Each learner received a branded coffee mug with the IkamvaYouth logo and a personalized name, a certificate recognising their academic excellence.
Presented by the Kuyasa Progamme Coordinator, Ntombi Mahlangu, 80 prize giving awards were awarded for the following mentioned categories (see below).
Photo: Ntombi (Left) presenting an award on Outstanding Commitment Approach to Learning to Silindokuhle Madzwila (Right)
These are the descriptions of each award presented at the end of the year function;
? Persistent Ikamvanite 2016
? Responsible And Enthusiastic Approach to Education
? Growth And Progress Award
? Mathematics Enthusiast
? Communication With Confidence and Charisma 2016
? Outstanding Commitment Approach to Learning
? Excellent Academic Progress in Accounting
? Commendable Consistency and Perfect Attendance Record
? Academic Excellence Enthusiast
? Principal of the Year – Mr A. Magadla from Siphamandla Secondary School
? Tutoring Venue of the Year– Kuyasa Public Library
? Parent of the Year (Ms Ntuli and Ms Mangweni)
Photo: Ntombi presenting awards to a team of Kuyasa Volunteers
The following awards were presented to volunteers;
? Excellence In Mathematics And Science Tutor
? Mathematics And Science Leading Tutor
? Accounting And Commerce Enthusiast Tutor
Photo: Yonela Sitawuti demonstrating IkamvaYouth motto that we live by daily at our tutoring space; our organizational motto is “The Future Is In Our Hands“.
Prizes and gifts were all well received by learners, parents and stakeholders. Moreover, the parents and IY relatives were hugely impressed with the achievements and attitude of all of our Ikamvanites.
With only 10 months running in the Kuyasa space, for each and every learner, the branch still strives towards helping learners achieve academic excellence, personal development and success in all their future aspiration. We are so proud working with such an excellent team dedicated towards achievement of positive goals.
Photo: Ikamvanites showing appreciation to Merrypak for a donation of mailing tubes
We would like to thank Merrpak located in Ndabeni for supporting our Prize Giving event through a donation of 48 Mailing Tubes that assisted in arranging the assortment of certificates awarded to Ikamvanites.
We are looking forward to the New Year, 2017!!
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 the 26th of November 2016 Masi branch hosted the year end prizegiving ceremony at Masiphumelele Library. On this day the Masi branch was honouring all the hard work done by the learners and tutors and also acknowledging our partners. Sanelisiwe and Sandisiwe Ndzuzo, both in Grade 9, were the MCs of the day and started the event on very high note with lots of energy, excitement and enthusiasm.
The prizegiving categories were, Learner of the year voted by other learners; Most Improved, Outstanding Academic Achievement, Best Attendance, Learner Involvement and Certificate of Participation for Volunteers.
Thulisa Mayekiso briefly explained the Nal’ibali programme for the Grade 9 and 10s before handing out certificates and prizes for the Book Club. The event was a success, the parents, learners and tutors were really excited and celebrating all the achievements done by the Masinites.
The Masi Branch especially thanks the Masiphumelele Public Library staff for their constant support and in-kind donations ; Capitec Bank, State Street Southern Africa and Cognia Law for their financial support as well as providing some mentors for the Matriculants. Thank you to Pick n’ Pay Fish Hoek Family Store for always generously donating food during Winter School and all other special events.
IKAMVAYOUUUTTHHH!!!
IkamvaYouth Mamelodi hosted its Open Day on the 30th of January 2016, with the aim of celebrating our 2015 Matriculants and encouraging our 2016 learners.
The branch recognised the Matriculants who did well in their respective studies and Ofentse Keitshepile Mokgoshi from Mamelodi High school received the first prize. Sipho Matola from J.Kekana Secondary school and Karabo Malemone from Gatang Secondary received most outstanding learner awards respectively and Sipho Matola gave a testimony on behalf of the Grade 12s.We also had a parent, Mrs Veronica Maake who spoke about her child, Donald Mosuoe, who passed Grade 11 in 2015 to join the 2016 Matrics.
Ms Akhona Sishuba from ABI addressed the learners and spoke about the support that ABI provides to IkamvaYouth and the sort of results that ABI encourages the learners to achieve. Ms Sophia Makweya from the Gauteng Department of Education encouraged our Ikamvanites and confirmed that the department will continue to support the Mamelodi branch.
Our guests were entertained by Mpho Frank Masetlane, who recited a motivational poem for the learners.
(Pic) from left Kagiso Monyatsi, Mamelodi Branch Coordinator; Akhona Sishuba ,A.B.I CSI Coordinator Mamelodi; Karabo Malemone the 2015 Matric with his mother, Nurse Malemone; Ms Sophia Makweya, Gauteng Department of Education Life Orientation HOD and Ditiro Huma, Gauteng District Coordinator
IkamvaYouth is a beacon of hope for the youth in Mamelodi, especially for those who never thought anything good could come out of their township.
IkamvaYouth Mamelodi is excited about the level of support they receive from parents through their regular visits, attendance of branch meetings on progress and their support to the feeder schools such Vlakfountein Secondary school; Mamelodi Secondary school; Modiri Technical High; J.Kekana Secondary school ;Vukani Mawethu secondary and Gatang secondary school.
IkamvaYouth would like to thank the community in Mamelodi and Pretoria for their great support.
To get involved contact Kagiso on : 0746311725 or kagiso@ikamvaYouth.org
Lloyd Lungu