On Saturday the 11th of May, the Masi branch held our first Parent Meeting for the 2013. The overwhelming response by the parents proved that they all shared great interest in their children’s future at Ikamva and beyond. Parents and tutors, who attended, were treated to refreshments upon arrival, which were prepared by Masi staff and Branch Com members.
We kick started the morning by doing an Icebreaker, depicting what it is exactly that we do with the learners. Johnlyn Tromp, branch coordinator explained that learners are often lethargic and demotivated when they arrive at IY after a long day at school. In this way, they gain a second breath and the focus is on learning in a fun environment. The parents loved it! Shupai Mchuchu, branch assistance presented the IY structure to the parents; which was more beneficial for the new parents.
This was followed by a discussion on the role of the parents as part of Ikamva, to ensure that they play a big role in their children’s lives at Ikamva; to encourage regular attendance; to encourage independent study and to assure that their Matriculants, have applied to a tertiary institution. We had a lengthy discussion around kick outs, what it entails and how disadvantageous it is for a learner. All parents understood and are happy to be more involved to ensure that they are children won’t be kicked out. Important matters, such as explaining the Code system was instrumental in clarifying any confusion when parents receive their childrens’ reports.
Masiphumelele branch is intent on gaining high results this year. In an attempt to encourage transparency, we discussed the first term learner results and discussed how we can work together to attain better results. The floor was then opened in order for parents to make suggestions or bring up concerns. There were many questions from our new parents and our old parents were happy to answer. The Ikamva staff also answered them to their satisfaction. Lastly, parents were invited to view their child’s attendance for the first term and IY staff was on hand to answer their questions.
We wish to express our gratitude towards parents and tutors who attended and showed interest in the children’s future.
Let’s all keep up the good work for our learners and their future!
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
The 4th of May was an exciting day for Nyanga Matrics, as the Career Guidance and Mentoring portfolio launched the 2013 Mentoring program.
After weeks of planning, the launch came together beautifully. Our Matrics were joined by their parents, IY staff, and Gr 11 learners in a session where they met their mentors for the year. Our mentors are all university students in their senior years of study, and have been paired with individual learners according to similar career interests and fields of study. The mentors met the learners’ parents, and IY staff, and had a productive time, getting to know their mentees, the IY program and the role and importance of mentoring for grade 12s, during this crucial time in their lives.
Nyanga’s head of Career Guidance and Mentoring, Nosipho Bele had the following to say:
Mentoring is very important at this stage of the learners’ lives, and we want every learner to have that support system throughout the year.
The leaners also got a rare treat, as motivational speaker and actor, Siv Ngesi spoke to them about growing up in the township and succeeding in life, despite humble beginnings.
One of the parents, Mr Mputa, expressed his gratitude for the support being offered the learners, and said the following:
I am happy that (IkamvaYouth) is doing so much to help our children. We did not have these things growing up but because of your work, our children can pursue their dreams with help from people who know more than they do.
We are excited to see the fruit of this crucial structure in our Matrics’ lives and look forward to greater things from our Career Guidance and Mentoring team!
Masiphulele Fire Drill 2013
The day of the fire drill finally arrived and our learners attended with excitement and enthusiasm. Grade 11 and 12 were the first ones to be taught about fire safety on the 10th of April and the following day on the 11th was the grade 9 and 10 turn. Mr Donald from the Fish Hoek fire department led the workshop. The workshop for all the grades was more on a Q and A basis. Mr Donald taught them the causes of fire, prevention/precautions and about fire extinguishers.
Causes
- Paraffin stoves
- Candles/fire lamps
- Flammable liquids and aerosols
- Gas stoves
- Candles/Fire lamps
- Household appliances – clothes dryers, curling irons, hair dryers, refrigerators, freezers
- Chimneys that concentrate creosote
- Batteries
- Broken electrical lights
- Thunderstorms/lightning and many more
Mr Donald asked the learners the causes of fire, the learners mentioned the ones they knew, he helped them out and told them other ones they never expected that they could cause a fire, and they listed them down discussed them and moved on to preventions/ precautions.
Prevention
- Fire drills
- Fire proofing
- Fire alarm systems
- Fire extinguishers
- Fire stops
- Maintaining proper fire exist
- Prohibiting flammable materials in other parts of the buildings.
Mr Donald moved on to fire extinguishers, he finds the importance of everyone knowing how to use a fire extinguisher important, because you never know when you have to make use of it and there aren’t any fire brigades near. He told them the parts of the fire extinguisher he also taught them the use of the fire extinguishers and different parts and their names on the extinguisher
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Fire Extinguisher use
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Water
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Foam
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Dry Powder
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Wet Chemical
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Carbon Dioxide
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Carboneceous, wood, paper, textiles, hay, straw, linen, etc
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ü
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ü
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ü
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X
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ü
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Flammable Liquids, petrol, paraffin, wax ,paints, oils
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X
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ü
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ü
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ü
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X
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Gas, natural gas, butane acetylene methane, etc, container or mainly leak
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X
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X
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ü
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X
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X
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Electrical risks, mains in feed panels, kitchen equipment, welding rigs, transformers etc
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X
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X
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ü
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ü
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X
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Deep fat, deep fat fryers in open vast
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X
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X
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X
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X
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ü
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Mr Donald also taught them the parts of a fire extinguisher and their use, especially the important parts they have to be familiar with
Label
The label describes the type of extinguisher, different types are combustible, liquids, electrical and flammable metals, and always know the type of fire you are dealing with.
Handle and operating level
The handle and lever are located at the top at the extinguisher, in a case of fire you need to know how to handle it with control
Locking pin
The locking pin is a safety guard that should be left in position, until you are ready to use your extinguisher
Discharge nozzle
The nozzle is also at the top ad should be pointed in the direction of the fire when using the extinguisher
Pressure gauge
Is located at the top it indicated whether the tank is full or empty
After they were taught all of the parts and their uses, he asked them what they remembered and come up and explain, they also had question for Mr Donald and he was more than happy to answer the questions
Masiphumelele Strategic Weekend Planning
We held our annual Strategic Planning Weekend on 13-14th April 2013 at the Community Hall and local Library, respectively. We had 3 tutors and 41 learners in attendance on the first day; while we had 24 learners on the second day. Those who attended and participated, displayed understanding and knowledge of Ikamva Youth as well as willingness to effect change. The two days was filled with a lot of programmes, activities and games> On saterday, we looked at our vaulues, mission and vision, history of Masi branch its (timeline) then later on moved on to vision and time management. Lunch time came, and after that we focused on the swot analysis and looked at what the promblems a we face as a branch, our learners voiced themsleves and expressed their concerns but they excellently came up with solutions with the help fronm our tutors as well.
We closed our Saturday session on a high note everyone sharing what they enjoyed and learnt for the day and checking out.
On Sunday we focused on our portfolios and we elected the Masi branch com. All the portfolios were filled up with two members or more. The learners in each portfolio discussed what it entails to be in that particular portifolio and what is required from them, they successfully accomplished the task and they came up with great ideas with the help from other learners.
In closing, the SPW was a resounding success, having achieved its objectives and aims as well as forging good relations between the organisation, it’s learners and partners. We are incredibly excited about the future of the branch and the immense potential which is evident in the lives of the learners. We would sincerely like to thank the following for their labour of love and enthusiasm in making Masiphumelele branch what it is:Liesel Bakker; Susan Alexander; Community Hall and Library staff. A special thanks to our sponsors: the kind donations of Woolworths Foods, Fish Hoek and McDonald’s, Sun Valley, we were able to feed our hungry Ikamvanites for the duration of the weekend and this included delicious dessert. A special thanks to Veronica, librarian assistant at Masiphumelele library, for cooking a scrumptious chicken curry.
Lloyd Lungu