The Gauteng team was out in full force at the Midrand Graduate Institutes Career Fair in early October. As an opportunity to, not only advertise the most democratic organisation to work in, we also got the very talented and driven students to sign up as volunteers at the nearby branches in the area.
MGI, like many of the higher learning institutions IkamvaYouth continues to grow partnerships with, jumped at the opportunity to get involved with us and came out in large numbers to support our drive. Many had never heard of IY before, but were very interested to find out how they can volunteer their time and become part of such a winning superhero team.
IY relies on the many committed tutors from all over South Africa’s Higher Learning institutions and if you are looking to become part of this amazing opportunity visit our website and sign up online or wait for a tutor drive coming to your varsity soon!
On the 18th of September IY Nyanga participated in a Career Expo organized by the Department of Social Development. The event took place at Ikhwezi Community Centre in Gugulethu and was attended by over 150 unemployed youth and other community members.
The Nyanga team hosted a table and got a 2minute slot to talk about IY, our work and the need for community members to get involved. There was a good response from the people present and we even had a parent who wanted to sign up her child currently doing Grade 4!
The occasion also provided an opportunity to mingle with organisations doing similar and complementary work in the community, and the team made useful acquaintances with superheroes from all over Nyanga and surrounding areas.
Thank you to Charlotte Abels from DSD, for inviting and accommodating IY Nyanga. The future is in all our hands.
Matrics in the Western Cape have taken Winter School to a whole new level by being the first group to participate in a Matric camp. An innovative part of IY’s annual Winter School holiday program, the Matric camp was launched in 2013 by the Western Cape team and has seen 62 Matrics from Makhaza, Masiphumelele and Nyanga get together for a week getaway at the Rotary Glencairn camp site, for 5 days of intensive tutoring, academic workshops and exam practice.
The first day saw all the learners arriving at the site and immediately getting into energetic team-building exercises led by Masi Branch Coordinator, Johnlyn. The exercises proved a worthy ice-breaker as learners started interacting more freely across the branches, and working collectively to earn points for their various teams, comprised of Matrics and volunteers from each branch.
Johnlyn led the group in a workshop on vision and goal-setting, where she spoke frankly about being in Grade 12, the imminence of exams and what it takes to reach goals and achieve desired results. The session was an inspiring one for many learners, and Yonela Jongilanga from Nyanga branch had the following to say: ‘This is different from the other camps I have attended. I like it because the focus is about being serious.’ Tutoring started in earnest and learners spent the rest of the afternoon working on their schoolwork.
Makhaza Coordinator, Zukile took the learners through a valuable workshop on how to calculate their aggregates and types of passes they are currently receiving in their school reports, for the purposes of tertiary studies. The session also covered the National Benchmarking Tests and their importance for accessing studies at certain universities in South Africa. The workshop ushered in a very sombre mood amongst the group, as learners realised the amount of work required of them, in order to access university. Nyanga Branch Assistant, Siphelele, then led the group into an energetic slogan, where learners re-stated their confidence in their ability to achieve their dreams. The evening wound down on an emotional note, as the group openly shared individual experiences and challenges individuals have experienced.
As the Matric camp continues, the learners have all managed to do take part in a variety of activities aimed at preparing them for their final exams and tertiary studies. On day 3 of the camp, the Matrics’ mentors joined the group for an afternoon session of tertiary applications and each learner applied to 5 tertiary institutions for study in 2014. Afikile Nkonyana said the following: ‘’I am glad I had people to help me with my applications. My first option for study is Chemical Engineering and I applied to Stellenbosch, NMMU, CPUT, Wits and TSiBA and I hope I will get a place at one of them for next year.’’ Later that evening, the learners went on a trust hike up the mountain, which is one of the activities that has enriched the learners’ overall experience whilst on the camp. Luyanda Jaranda from Makhaza branch said the following: ‘As we have bonded, it has become quite easy to be tutored together and we have become so relaxed and free during the sessions.’
On the last full day of camp, the learners started the day with a workshop on writing amazing applications. For young people who are on the verge of exiting the school system and entering tertiary education and employment, this workshop came at the right time. Many of the learners are interested in accessing bursaries and other sponsorship for their studies and were very enthusiastic about a workshop that addresses writing to potential funders and employers.
One of our Masi volunteers, Janna, ran a workshop on study guidelines, schedules and time-keeping, which is essential since the Matric exams are a month away. The group also got to enjoy a refreshing walk to the beach, where they had a fun afternoon playing games, swimming, chatting, doing photo-shoots and having lunch at the beach. After walking back, the learners were exhausted, but had enough energy to get ready for a Maths workshop, facilitated by SAAO.
True to ikamvanite culture, the learners got into a rigorous tutoring session after the day’s many activities and spent a number of hours getting assistance in their school subjects from their tutors, who as usual were more than up to the task. Lindiwe Grootboom, a volunteer said the following: ‘I have found the camp very inspiring. I hear the stories from the learners and tutors and I am amazed by what they go through every day, and yet they are here, studying and working to make their lives better.’
Matric Camp has been a success so far, and Kuhle Riti from Makhaza said the following: ‘The camp is a success because we have got a chance to focus on our studies and help each other as Matrics from (the Western Cape). ‘’ This strongly echoes IY’s value of peer-to-peer sharing and IY is excited to witness the fruit of the Matric camp as the learners write their mock exams in September and final exams in November.
A very special thank you to Pick’n Pay Fish Hoek, for generously supplying camp catering, and ensuring that all our learners, volunteers and staff are well fed every day of the camp, as well as Rotary for the accomodation.
Matrics 2013 Yes we can!!!
Today was the first day of winter school, the day all the learners, tutors and volunteers were waiting for! You could see the excitement on the faces of everyone that arrived at Upper Campus on Monday. This week the learners are based in the Arts Block on Upper Campus at UCT. We have a lot of international volunteers helping us this year from all over the world – Hong Kong, India, Canada, the Netherlands, China, as well as many ex matrics from 2012 coming back as first time tutors.
One of our grade 8 learners said, “ I loved coming to UCT with my friends this morning – we had a great time in the bus. Seeing these amazing buildings and the campus motivates me to get great marks and get a degree in Science from UCT – I’m se excited for winter school!”
Thi week we have various workshops happening, one of the very contentious ones were when students were divided into two groups and were asked to debate for/against on topics like HIV Testing, legalisation of drugs and life imprisonment. I was surprised to hear some of the issues that learners brought up, showing the knowledge and reasoning skills they posses.
Other workshops this week are centred around various subjects – Science and Technology, Media and Journalism, Entrepreneurship, Environment, Helath and Life Skills and Creative Expression. On Monday I was in the Entrepreneurship workshop that was held by Justin, an Entrepreneur and a manager of a Consulting company. He said, “I am very excited about lecturing to these students today. I had a similar childhood and did not come from a wealthy family. A lot of these students may end up being future entrepreneurs like me. Its just a push, confidence and awareness they need.”
Capitec bank provided a morning workshop where learners were exposed to the skills that the employers look for in applicants and career guidance was provided with resume writing and interview skills. Andrea Sanke is running history workshop for the 2 weeks which is was very interesting to the learners. This week she was lecturing on the different government styles in different parts of the world. She told the students about the importance of knowing about history, different cultures and how they have shaped the world we live in. One of the learners said, “I feel that I know so much more about Africa now and the struggle some countries went through including South Africa to be what it is today.” This week Reel Lives are also providing workshops – they are using media to support education, empowerment and social change. Learners got the opportunity to watch videos that were made by other Ikamvanites.
This is just a taste of what has happened at the beginning of last week, we are so excited for what is to come!
If you are interested in seeing what we are up to please contact:
Zukile – 079 885 4364
Zukile@ikamvayouth.org
IkamvaYouth is looking for an intern office assistant, to be based in our Cape Town office. The Intern will work closely with the National Administrator and Director, and will assist with office and organisational administration, logistics, event management and PR & Marketing.
This internship post would be best-suited to someone with excellent administration and writing skills who is interested in gaining high-level experience and insight into the inner workings of a fast-growing, high-impact national non-profit.
This internship opportunity is for 6 months – 1 year. The average week will vary, the ideal candidate will thrive in a changing environment and enjoy working independently with little supervision.
Duties include assisting with organisational administration and coordination. These duties are varied and likely to include (but not limited to):
- Overseeing and developing content for Ikamvayouth.org; Ikamvanitezone; social media (twitter, facebook,youtube, flickr & linkedin), dropbox
- Data entry
- Preparation for key provincial events throughout the year
- Event Coordination
- Researching/Compiling and writing articles for website/blog
Skills and qualities needed:
- Ability to take initiative, work with little supervision, be creative and deliver under pressure
- Organised and efficient; impeccable time management skills, data collection and reporting must be accurate
- Excellent writing and effective communication skills, both written and oral.
- A positive, friendly attitude, a passion for working with young people and a pro-active energy
- Must be adept at using computers (Excel, word, social media and internet, power-point) and able to work virtually (many discussions, meetings and document development occur collaboratively online);
Remuneration: R1200.
To apply please send a letter of motivation and CV to careers@ikamvayouth.org with the title ‘Internship’ in the subject line. Correspondence limited to shortlisted candidates only. Closing date 22 April 2013.
It has been a month since Ikamva youth Ivory park closed doors for 2013 applications and we are glad to welcome our 2013 Ikamvanites, this hectic and vibrant week was followed by the visit to UJ during Society Week/Orientation week on the 6th of February 2013, A big thank you goes out to all tutors (recruitment team) who showed commitment, dedication and assured us that they are and will always be Ikamvanites by spending the day with us and helping us with postering.
Indeed we have seen the fruits of postering on Saturday 9th February 2013, as returning tutors and new tutors flocked to the centre with the aim of helping whilst we kept receiving calls from tutors who were left behind by the tutor bus and the large numbers of emails received daily.
Excursions kicked off with the invitation to the “The Big Debate “ recording/interview on the 17th February 2013, The big debate is a 10-part series for SABC2, broadcast weekly every Sunday night at 10pm, debating issues of redress and transformation facing South African society in all sectors – land, health, the arts, policing, mining, racism and so on.
Ikamva youth Ivory park is once again giving hope to more than a hundred children from local schools and surrounding areas and happy to say that our call has reached more than 10 schools, this is proof that we are ready to pave way for the 2030 vision, with the crop of the cream being our first matric class of 2013 we are determined to working hard, showing commitment and maintain the momentum thereby upholding the Ikamva youth model
We wish to thank Ikamvayouth South Africa for the support, love and super powers unleashed, you giving us hope and the reason to push harder and aim to reach for the stars, Thank you.
Lloyd Lungu