Nyanga’s 2013 Winter School got off to a great start, with 75 learners hosted by TSiBA! The Nyanganites have had a great first week of tutoring, workshops, excursions, team building and all-round fun.
Ms Lindelwa Hanjana, our TSiBA host welcomed us warmly and said the following: ‘’Of course we want IkamvaYouth here. We want young people to learn and we are glad to have the learners at TSiBA for the Winter School program.’’
In the first week, learners had a variety of workshops, led by a huge range of workshop facilitators
HR and money workshops by Capitec bank
Capitec Bank delighted the learners by showing up for their workshops with a sound system, and a colourful set-up and décor arrangement. Learners were ushered into the workshop venue to the sound of contemporary music, but soon the workshop started and the learners learnt about CV writing and other job-related skills that they will Their second session included all the grades and the team spoke to the learners about using, saving and investing money wisely. Learners got prizes for a variety of things, including, but not limited to great participation, good listening and giving good answers to questions posed.
Suzelda Windvoel, a Grade 10 learner said the following after the workshop: ‘ I really liked the money skills workshop. It showed me that I must be clever with my money and buy things I need; not waste it on things I want.’
Creative expression workshop by Nelisa Ngqulana
Nelisa Ngqulana, our Head of MIE, ran creative expression workshops with learners, where they learnt how to write poems and express themselves creatively. It was difficult for the learners at first, but with time, each learner got to write something. At the end of the session, the group read all the poems and voted on the top 3, which got the honour of appearing in our first issue of IkamvaYouth News, Nyanga upcoming magazine, being run by the Media, Image and Expression portfolio.
Media workshops by Reel Lives
In the first week, the group taking media and journalism workshops went through workshops covering a wide variety of issues that young people face in their everyday lives. The facilitators used the ikamvanites’ Reel Lives videos from 2012 as starting points and the bases of the discussions. The discussion touched on interesting, yet sensitive topics such as motherhood, fatherhood, family, gangsterism, culture, and homosexuality. The learners who made the videos were available for question and answer sections and the workshops were very emotional, as learners identified with the whole range of issues covered by their peers’ documentaries.
One of the learners had this to say, after one of the sessions: ‘It is very emotional to see this film because it deals with things that are already happening in our lives.’
Life skills by Nebulas
Rayne Moses of Nebulas spoke to learners about skateboarding and using your interests in a positive way. After sharing the story of his process towards starting a skateboarding organisation, he asked the learners to give their reasons for attending Winter School. The learners opened up to the facilitators and spoke about some of the difficulties they face, and the dreams they have, which will help them overcome those difficulties.
Rayne closed off the session with words of encouragement to the learners and encouraged them to stick to their dreams and what they believe in, because these things will come to pass, if they work towards it and do not get discouraged by obstacles.
Entrepreneurship and business by Silulo
Luvuyo Rani ran a workshop on Entrepreneurship and Business with a group of learners, who were very touched by what he said. He quickly enabled the learners to identify with him by telling them the story of his upbringing, which, like all our learners, was in the townships. He spoke about his journey growing up and eventually starting his own business, which is now a big enterprise in Khayelitsha, Cape Town.
The learners’ appreciation of this workshop is perhaps captured best by Mr Rani’s words at the end of the workshop, where he said that, ‘The vote of thanks I received from (a learner) touched me very much. I am happy and I feel that I made a real difference just talking to them about where I’ve come from.’
History and Social Justice by the Jewish museum
Nyanganites also went on excursion at the Jewish museum and the learners were very excited to have an off-site workshop. Our host, Tamara Guinsberg welcomed the group warmly and in smaller groups, the learners got a tour of the museum. The group learnt about the Holocaust, the history of the Jewish people and the richness of Jewish culture, and the facilitators juxtaposed it all with contemporary issues of xenophobia and other discrimination that happens in a South African context, which the learners can relate to. This workshop was a very rich and enriching experience for the learners and on of our volunteers noted the following: ‘this workshop shouldn’t just be for some learners. I learnt so much and I think everyone can learn a lot from this experience. For the coming years we should make it a workshop that every learner participates in.’
Marine Conservation by Save our Seas
Although Cape Town is a coastal city, the marine world is somewhat removed from the everyday reality of our learners and a workshop by Save Our Seas brought this home. Paul and Zanele from the Shark Centre ran an awesome workshop on sharks and their importance in the marine and therefore world eco-system. To kick off the session, Paul asked the learners what they knew about sharks and all answers mentioned sharks as dangerous predators that bite and eat people, and should therefore be feared. The Save our Seas team then debunked the shark and explained how sharks live, breed, what they eat and revealed the number of people who are actually bitten by sharks each year, which is much less than what people believe.
Our learners got the opportunity to view and touch shark skeletons, teeth, skins, eggs and other shark-bits and came away from the workshop more knowledgeable about the world in the deep blue sea.
Life Skills by Inspired Inc.
One can never have enough life-coaching, and Bradley van Reenen from Inspired Inc proved this as he ran an exciting life coaching workshop with our learners. This workshop covered identity, goal setting and dreams and before long, even the quietest learners were embracing their vulnerability and sharing their deep-seated dreams and life goals with fellow Nyanganites. It was a very touching session and learners encouraged one another, and got encouragement from Bradley, who assured and reassured them of their ability to rise up to the levels they have set for themselves. The session ended off with each learner writing down their dreams as a reminder for themselves, each day, until they fulfill those dreams.
SAAO
Our Technology and Engineering stream got a chance to work with their hands and make telescopes under the guidance of Cedric from the SAAO. Using simple apparatus, namely cardboard, paper, glue, pins and lenses, the learners made telescopes and before the afternoon was out, they were outside, trying out their new telescopes and engaging in some daylight star-gazing!
Team building, by IY tutors
It has been an event-filled and exciting weekend for learners, tutors and staff members and by the end of the first week, everyone was feeling the strain of the early mornings, the morning cold and the buzz of activity that has been week 1 of Winter School. To give the learners a break and to foster good relationships among the different grades, we had a team-building exercise on Friday afternoon, where the learners got into groups made up of the different grades, and each had a tutor facilitating.
It was rewarding and sweet to witness the learners affirming one another, talking about the things they liked about each other and then sharing the things they are proud of in themselves, that they wish others knew about them.
A huge thank you to all our partners for the workshops, and for putting up with our venue changes, our excited learners, and our busy staff and volunteers. A huge thank you to TSiBA for accommodating us in our large numbers, and finally, thank you to our volunteers and learners for the energy, the commitment and the passion for education, which is the reason why we are here. To week 2 and beyond!
If you would like to come by and see what we up to please contact:
Shuvai – 079 885 4372
shuvai@ikamvayouth.org
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
Hyperion is a South African student based organisation. Their goal is to see IT and Computer Science being promoted more throughout South Africa- starting with Universities and Schools in South Africa.
Hyperion wants to work with IkamvaYouth by training Ikamvanites learners in Gauteng to be star programmers in web development, Python and Java. They offer free training in computer programming and web development to absolutely anyone. It doesn’t matter if you’re in high school, university or even a lecturer- they will help you develop IT skills based on your needs. Their entire lessons are done over the internet, you can also arrange one-on-one lessons with their tutors face-to-face or over the internet.
They do not only promote IT and Computer Science, but also donate computers to Schools; currently they are on the verge of donating computers to one of our feeder schools in Gauteng (Tsosoloso Ya Afrika). On the 18th of January, they went to Riverdene Secondary School located in Newlands west. The school was in need of computer equipment and Hyperion was there to donate computers. They currently have resources to fund the installation of about 120 computers for Education purposes.
A number of Ikamvanites took time to look into the program and this is what they had to say;
“It’s essential and beneficial for everyone to have knowledge of IT and Computer Science”-Sfiso Baloyi (tutor)
“It’s a great program for one to familiarize with IT and Computer Science” Kabelo Mashele (Grade 12 Learner)
We hope every learner in South Africa will be equipped with the necessary IT and Computer skills for years to come.
Written by Michael Thema (Ebony Park Branch Assistant)
On Saturday 9 March, IkamvaYouth in partnership with Capitec presented a fire safety awareness workshop hosted by Mrs Nombeko Kopele (Public Education Officer) from the fire and rescue services in Ottery, Cape Town. In December 2012, close to a 1000 shacks burnt down in Khayelitsha with countless people being displaced and with winter approaching, a time when the risks of fires increase, it was an opportune time to educate our learners about the dangers that fires pose, but also give them tips on how to avoid these fires.
The presentation were in two parts, first with the grade 10, 11 and 12s and then with the grade 8 and 9s. The reason for this split was because different aspects were discussed with the different age groups. Although the main focus of the workshop was fire safety awareness, it also allowed the presenter to speak to the older kids about the different careers within fire and rescue. This was very exciting for the ikamvanites because they found out that the training to become a fire fighter or paramedic is only 6 months and that it was really physical. They had a lot of questions to ask and the presenter was very knowledgeable and answered all their questions. Lwazi Fanana, a grade 11 learner, said afterwards that he might consider a career in the fire and rescue field. Another learner Sipho Nqgayimbana, grade 12, asked about the different careers within the fire and rescue fields and the presenter said that careers vary from administration, management, medical to paramedical and firefighting, etc., and that there are lots of skills shortages in this career field and with that a lot of opportunities for young people to join.
For the younger grades, the focus were more on fire prevention tips, what to do in case of a fire or burn injuries and who to contact when you see a fire. The session with them were more interactive and the ikamvanites were able to simulate scenarios, like rolling on the ground when you catch fire, and were shown charts of what to do. All the ikamvanites were told where their closest fire station is and were told to call 107 or 0215901900 in case of a fire or any other emergency. Everyone had a lot of questions for Mrs Kopele and as with the other group; she was able to answer every question.
We would like to thank the City of Cape Town and in particular Mrs Nombeko Kopele and Mr Abdusalaam Allie, Capitec and everyone that assisted with this workshop.
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.
It’s 6am and Johannesburg roads are slowly waking up to Saturday. Four of us in the burnt orange rental Micra bound for Potchefstroom for the first tutoring session at the Ikageng branch. It’s early, so we check in, both the left and right brain present, albeit with complaints about the crack of dawn call time.
It’s stifling hot by the time we park the car inside the school gates. We are greeted by Zanele’s (Branch Co-ord, Ikageng Branch) ever calm face, no sign of anxiousness about this historic event – she’s got this, no worries. Themba’alidanisi is a no-fee school with some underused classrooms. They are our hosts for the next few years and within safe travel distance from three local high schools. By the time we arrive, we’re a little sweaty, a little hungry, but Patrick (District Co-ord, GP) and I are travelling with professionals.
Shelton and Richard, veteran tutors from the Ivory Park branch get to work straight away, unloading books, sorting learner forms and reseating learners into 5 a table as per IY style. These guys are the real deal, fast and efficient.
The learners, hmm a bit early for them too and this is a whole different experience. They are more than bewildered when we go through the energisers; forty bodies being led through “in the river, on the bank” and “tsamaya reka Omo”. But that’s what was needed to get them going, they are alert and wide awake by the time we return to the room.
During introductions, learner after learner speaks of their challenges. But it’s their dreams we are here to serve, from the aspiring charted accountant, the mathematician, climatologist, to the many-many lawyers to-be.
The session was fun, Vision 2030 seems so achievable with all the enthusiastic charges. I dredged up fuzzy high school information, as I moved from group to group. Yep, I could remember the difference between debtors and creditors. Tick, on the question on similar triangles. I was feeling a little confident by now. This is far removed from the admin that dominates my day at hq. It was then that Tsepho mumbled a hard one across the table. It came out hesitantly, losing pace between the fingers that were covering his mouth. Even I thought I misheard him. “Do mosquitos have eyes? Because teacher says they sense the carbon dioxide and lactic acid off warm bodies; they can’t see”. Four pairs of eyes abandoned the Life Sciences book in favour of my very blank face. I thought I knew this, don’t they have compound eyes like flies? But I wasn’t sure-sure. Tick-tock, they were waiting. So I politely excused myself and consulted my best friend Google. It reminded me why the 5-a-table tutoring style works so well. Tsepho lacked the confidence to pose that question in class, he still hesitated in the small group, but he walked away with an answer.
Overall a great day one. Well done to Zanele for pulling it off. And here’s to Vision 2030, no learner to be left behind.
Lloyd Lungu