mission

Jan 3, 2011

O R Tambo Edu-Tour: A success

In the ten winners I was the only young teacher. The experience was so enriching and benefiting to my profession and the projects I do for my community. I think it is beneficial, maybe, because education is very close to my heart and I feel it running in my veins. And, of course, I regard it as a soci-moral responsibility. Why I say it was a success?

I am one of the young South Africans who went to Tanzania as a result of the educational initiatives that I am involved which improve the community I serve in an innovative manner. The OR Tambo Edu-Tour is one of the initiatives which have a clear vision and contributes in creating awareness amongst the youth of SA so that we do not forget where we come from, preserve heritage and also show us that there is nothing impossible. In the ten winners I was the only young teacher. The experience was so enriching and benefiting to my profession and the projects I do for my community. I think it is beneficial, maybe, because education is very close to my heart and I feel it running in my veins. And, of course, I regard it as a soci-moral responsibility. Why I say it was a success?

1) The dialogue in Mazimbu between South African and Tanzanian youth dealt with a number of issues that affect us young people: (i) global warming, (ii) education and culture, (iii) challenges facing young people in terms of education in both Tanzania and South Africa.

2) Guided tour to Morogoro, Mazimbu which is a village that belonged to South African people particularly the ANC members. It was motivating to realise that the ANC was able to achieve certain projects in the foreign land. They managed to build a clinic, primary and secondary schools, the furniture factory, the farm, and soccer ground where Mandela cup started and the houses were of good standard better than our RDP houses and that created a good living conditions for them.

That helped us to realise that we can mobilise the resources we have to create the society we want South Africa to be. As young people we need to be more vigilant and active in our respective communities so that the thugs do not take over these communities. If we don't own our communities thugs will take over.

3) With a little resources they have the teachers and learners take their education very seriously, the sprit we must inculcate in all South African teachers and learner.

4) There were two poets, Bernice Davids from ELRC and myself but I am the only one who managed to caress the stage during the debate in Mazimbu and perform one poem that touches the social ills we face as people. I enjoyed it dearly because, I don't regard myself as a teacher first and poet second or a poet first and teacher second- I am a poet who teaches in a school- a teacher who writes poetry about social conditions. And lastly, I wish the department of Basic Education must be part of this initiative and help SOMAFCO to continue sending young educators on their behalf to gain more experience which will benefit South African Education at large. From next year I wish if Basic Education can choose ten young South African teachers and help them financially to join the SOMAFCO crew of young active individuals. We need to bring more institutions to this cause. Together we can make it.We shall create a healthy and conscious society.

Writes Enock Shishenge, a teacher at Eqinisweni secondary school, Ivory Park JHB East district. I write on my own capacity not of the school or department CELL: 083 3388 275

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