The Mamelodi Ikamvanites braved the early morning iciness of winter to come to Winter School during the June holidays. After heating up their bodies through ice-breakers and tea, they got to work. Past papers, exercises, quizzes, discussions and games, you name it, we did it in an effort to prepare for the new academic term by revising all of the work the Ikamvanites had done earlier in the year and struggled with. Various organisations and individuals also came in daily to discuss issues outside of the classroom. We had motivational speakers, an image consultant even a yoga specialist to name a few. The proverbial cherry that came on top of the cake that was all the hard work and effort of the students, was the Talent show at the end of the second week of winter school in which the learners got the chance to show off their more creative talents outside of the classroom. All in all, Winter School was a resounding success that we can all be very proud of. Well done Ikamva!
After Winter School, the Matric pupils joined us for a week of preparations aimed solely at the matric learners. As the Matrics draw nearer and nearer to their final exams, they understand the need to place a greater emphasis on their studies. The class of 2016 came prepared with work and enthusiasm and a willingness to learn anything and everything they could, before the third term started. By the end of the week, the Matrics were exhausted from all the hard work but come Finals, they’ll be more than ready to tackle any academic challenges that they are faced with!
With the election right around the corner, many South Africans have been discussing choices. The idea that we are responsible for deciding the future of our great nation. The Ikamvanites made a choice when they came into the program at the start of the year. They chose to believe in success. They chose to believe in a future where education provides the tools with which one can ultimately achieve one’s dreams. They chose to believe in themselves. And as we head towards the second half of what has turned out to be an adventurous and exciting year, it is up to us, the people who make Ikamva a pillar of hope in a community plagued by issues like nyoape and blessers, to choose success yet again. As former President, Nelson Mandela, once said, “[e]ducation is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” By choosing to invest in their futures, Ikamvanites are arming themselves with the tools that they’ll need when they battle a world in which knowledge is power.
Lloyd Lungu