Following recent incidences of gang-related violence around the Nyanga community, Nyanganites reached out to partner organisation Safety Lab, for a safe-talk workshop at Zolani Centre.
The Lab’s representatives had a full afternoon talking to the 35 Nyanganites in Grades 9 and 10. Neo from The Lab spoke to the learners about his experiences growing up in the same circumstances as the learners, and how he sought to keep himself safe during his school years. The learners were full of questions and asked the Safety Lab team how they can handle intimidation by bullies and gang members at school and in the community. Neo and Lindile were up to the tasks and shared personal stories together with their expert knowledge as safety ambassadors in the community.
Sinobom Ngubombi in Grade 10 said the following: ‘the workshop was excellent. I enjoyed it. Bhut’ Neo told us about his life and I am inspired by his story. ‘
Thank you Safety Lab for your work with IY Nyanga!
On the 21st of September, ikamvanites in the Western Cape participated in the annual Coastal Cleanup, hosted by ERM.
The learners from Masi, Makhaza and Nyanga braved the slight chill and went out to pick up litter from surrounding beaches. The occasion provided an opportunity for ikamvanites to meet, get to know one another and have fun whilst taking care of their environment.
A huge thank you to ERM for hosting the ikamvanites again this year.
This September holiday, Nyanganites have been privileged to participate in a history workshop conducted by Andrea Sanke at Zolani Centre. The workshop, aptly titled ‘Our history, our world’ has taken the group of 12 through more than 50years of world history in just 6 days. From North America, to Eastern Europe and South Africa, the workshop has covered such topics as the World Wars, the War on Terror, and Julius Malema. The learners have enjoyed learning about different historical figures and events, researching people and asking questions. The workshop will culminate in an in-class presentation where each learner presents on their chosen historical figure.
Workshop facilitator, Andrea said that the workshop will impart research, English and presentation skills to the learners, in addition to learning a bit more about the world around them.
Thank you Andrea for taking the time to enrich the minds of Nyanganites!
ENKE LEADERSHIP CAMP CONTRIBUTORS: SIBONGISENI JONAS ZIZO MDINGI SINENJONGO NGXAMELENI NCEBAKAZI NGCABA ZIZIPHO NGXOLA SINOVUYO QABA Attending the Enke Forum Class of 2013 was a great experience! It was incredibly fun and worth the long journey from Masiphumelele to Wellington. On our first day we had to introduce ourselves to the other trailblazers who hailed from various provinces within our country. One of the memorable things about the camp was that every games and/or activity held a lesson which was incredible. We learned lifelong lessons about leadership skills and gained increased knowledge, compared to what we knew about the subject before. We now have the task of applying the knowledge which was imparted. Even more, we have an opportunity to impact our communities and as the youth, we are eager to change the world in order to be a better place. On 7 July, the CEO of MXIT gave a profound speech and one of our Masinites, Sibongiseni Jonas thanked him on behalf of all the learners.We were each given an opportunity to choose a project which will uplift our community. The Enke leadership made us realise that the future lies in our hands and we can change the world. In order to bring about change, we need to think positively about ourselves and allow nothing to stand in our way. Coupled with strength and courage, we shall succeed in our projects and carry on our leadership skills. Various towns and countries were represented and this added to the diversity of the camp. It was compulsory to speak English and this also improved our language proficiency. Another highlight was when we watched a video of a girl and her boyfriend. The couple was in love and in a trusting relationship. The girl cheated on her boyfriend and she wanted to shift the blame. The moral of the story was, “Love someone as if it is the last day of your life.” Despite the story relating to a romantic relationship, it also showed us how we should treat each other. Lastly, it is important that we relate one of the lessons on leadership that we were taught at the Enke Forum. We did a visualising exercise in which we had to project where we thought we would be 15 years from now; the need for respect and how to break free from our comfort zone. A wonderful, life changing experience that we shall never forget!
Life Coaching with Mr Similindile Qiniso Mavundla
It was day 7 of winter school and IkamvaYouthKZN was at it again. The afternoon activities begun and all learners were excited. Mr Oiniso Mavundla, a young man from the township of Umlazi had asked to work hand in hand with IkamvaYouth and bring in some of his work, as he admires what is already being done with the learners. Qiniso enjoys working with the youth, his main focus is to encourage the youth in developing their skills, building confidence and having a clear mindset to achieve their goals.
Over the course of three days, Qiniso delivered inspirational talks to the grade 11 and 12 learners. He began by introducing himself and his purpose, which is to ensure that each learner is aware of what confidence and positive self-esteem could do for you, improving ones communication skills, knowing your dreams and achievements, and knowing how to get what you want in life.
He then discussed in detail with the learners how a person can develop his or her personal skills. Qiniso mentioned that each learner should have what he calls a “Success Mindset”. He encouraged the learners, to take notes and make use of the info given especially since they are at the point where they are getting closer into entering a new beginning where they will have challenges before adapting to new lifestyles.
In overall this meant that the personal development session helps to equip young people to develop a winning mindset and to overcome some of the biggest obstacles in life, such as fear, self-doubt past failures and help them to tap into a new level of thinking where they will see success and abundance and be able to unleash the success that is lying unused within them.
Qiniso empowered all the learners by his motivational talks, showing them different ways of how to achieve their goals, what to look at when solving their problems, be it at home or at school, how to avoid negativity, and to be aware of the dangers one can encounter in life.
Qiniso seeks to have and continuing relationship with IkamvaYouth as he admires the amount of work that is being done for the learners. We surely look forward in working with him in the near future.
Lloyd Lungu