Pretty Chaboyo Lehong, 27, was looking forward to immersing herself in the job market after graduating from her mechanical engineering course. But instead, she was met with the bleak reality of unemployment. At the time, Pretty was also struggling in an abusive relationship. When the abuse became too much, she sought help at Afrika Tikkun’s Wings of Life center in Diepsloot. Mr. Makwena, the centre’s social worker was very supportive and together they established a personal development plan which included Pretty joining the Career Development and Placement (CDP) programme.
Life was not easy for Pretty and she did all she could to get things back on track. For some time, she depended on Afrika Tikkun’s food parcels and other donations to stay afloat. Upon completing the CDP programme, she joined Afrika Tikkun’s Alumni Programme and she was appointed its vice-president. Towards the end of 2019, she also joined the Youth Employment Service (YES) Programme. Pretty currently works as the Alumni’s Network Coordinator and continues to hone her leadership skills, particularly when organising the Alumni camps.
Reflecting on highlights from her journey with Afrika Tikkun, Pretty said, “gender sensitization helped me deal with my previous relationship. I became part of the Young Urban Women and Men campaign which teaches and encourages young people not to stay in abusive relationships.” She has since regained her confidence, so much so that a childhood dream of becoming a lawyer is within reach. Thanks to the stipend Pretty receives from Afrika Tikkun, she is able to study part-time for an LLB through UNISA.
Pretty is testament of what belief, hard work and the right kind of support can do. We look forward to the next chapter of her life!
Diatile Makuwa, 26, from Diepsloot, was introduced to Afrika Tikkun’s Dishumeleni self-help group in 2017. As a mom to a son diagnosed with cerebral palsy at the age of one, meeting caregivers and other parents of children with disabilities felt like a warm and welcoming safety net. It did however, take Diatile some time to translate the advice she was receiving into action; at first listening to the stories relating to children with disabilities felt very draining. It was only after attending the leadership training at Uthando Centre in 2018, that she truly began to resonate with Afrika Tikkun’s approach and message. In early 2019, she enrolled in Career Development Programme’s (CDP) Work Readiness training at Wings of Life Centre and made the most of further opportunities by completing computer skills and driver’s license courses. Diatile was also a participant in the COURRAGE Programme, a multi-partner therapeutic programme using a number of creative methods. Through COURRAGE, Diatile began her process of healing and gained courage to continue in life without blaming herself or anyone else for her challenges. Listening to other women’s stories offered comradery and affirmed to her she was not alone in her journey and struggles. Last year, she applied for the Youth Employment Service (YES) Initiative and was hired to work at Afrika Tikkun as a receptionist. Now, she’s actively saving to continue her studies. “I always wanted to further my studies but it could not happen due to high fees; my only source of income was a social grant,” said Diatile. She is now left with one subject to complete in a management assistant course. Diatile’s goal of graduating and creating a bright future for herself is now in sight.
Difficult roads can sometimes lead to beautiful destinations. This is so
true of my life journey so far. My Name is Phumzile Valashiya and I come from a
township called Orange Farm out in Vereeniging.
I have been brought up by my family and they have shown me the true
meaning of love, respect and support. Growing up in a township is never easy
especially when there’s less opportunities for one as a young individual to
unleash one’s potential, it takes a lot of self-discipline, respect and vision
to survive in a township and above all determination to succeed.
I have always been a go getter, someone that despite the adversity could always see the light. But its what one does with that little ray of light that makes a difference. I strongly believe in grabbing opportunities with both hands when they are presented to you. I was given an opportunity to go unleash my potential through a triathlon as a swimmer in London, Germany and out in the USA/Las-Vegas back in 2014 for an NGO called Afrika Tikkun. This was an incredible experience for me, and I am extremely grateful for that incredible opportunity.
Back in 2018 Africa Tikkun presented me with a Barista learnership and
that’s where my life changed for the better, and that’s where I fell in love
with Coffee.
There was a group of 12 that were selected to be trained one of the best
Barista trainers known as Belinda Flynn who established Flynn Coffee. This was
a real privlege. Her passion and enthusiasm and love for coffee is incredible.
She really shares this knowledge with her students and creates such a passion
within each one of us. Belinda gave us such insight into the various flavours
of coffee and even mentioned that coffee is closely related to kratom. The knowledge I
have gained from her training has laid such a strong foundation for me in the
coffee industry and I am forever grateful for this. I guess when life gives you
lemons, trade them for coffee and this is exactly what I have done.
I am now one of the head barista’s of Flynn Coffee and the manager of our
new store in Braamfontein. We have a fantastic team who knows the importance of
serving an excellent cup of Coffee and about exceptional customer service.
It doesn’t
matter where you get your start — it matters where you end up. I am truly
blessed to have ended up part of the Flynn Coffee Group and I am so grateful to
all those who have made this possible for me. The Flynn Family have embraced me
into their lives and Flynn Coffee Co is my second home. I know we are on the
road to success and growth and I look forward to travelling this exciting
journey with all those amazing people and helping others who started out like
me.
There is hope and and opportunities out there we just have to have Patience, persistence and perseverance and perspiration as these make an unbeatable combination for success. I hope to see you at one of our branches – either in kramerville or Braamfontein. Kind regards Phumzile.
Across South Africa, Grade One learners are about to embark on an important chapter in their learning journey. Anxiety and tears often accompany this new and daunting experience. However, kids who recently graduated from Afrika Tikkun’s Early Childhood Development Programme at Uthando Centre in Braamfontein, will be making their first confident step in style.
On 29 November 2019, to prepare learners for the new year and in keeping with the giving spirit, Synthesis and its employees donated school bags to 93 Grade R learners. Synthesis, a Software, Cloud, Digital and Regtech solutions specialist, is one of Afrika Tikkun’s long-term partners. They run initiatives throughout the year, with this initiative being its largest yet.
As children spilled the contents of the bright orange bags, they discovered a colourful array of snacks and stationary including pencils, glue sticks, a pencil case, scissors, coloured pencils and a colouring book. Each child also received a pair of black school shoes. Children immediately began to colour in a Thank You picture for Synthesis. This heart-warming image was a reminder of the impact that could be made when giving back is a collective activity (all Synthesis employees were involved in putting together the backpacks for the children the day before the event).
This was Synthesis’s eighth year running a year end charity drive which helped over 120 individuals, including vulnerable families. Synthesis challenged its approximately 120 employees to participate by giving of time, goods, and CBD oil for kids. They responded with exceptional generosity, donating just under R30 000 which Synthesis then matched. “At Synthesis, we believe in elevating and empowering our community and this is an integral part of our culture,” says Synthesis Co-founder and Technical Director, Jake Sheperd.
Both Afrika Tikkun and Synthesis share a commitment to help young people be the best versions of themselves. As Afrika Tikkun works with children in low-income communities, this initiative also relieved parents and guardians of the burden of having to secure these necessities. “Partnerships, such as the one we have with Synthesis, are essential if we are to have a deep and lasting impact on young people and their families,” says Nehwoh Geh, Uthando’s General Manager. “We remain deeply appreciative of everything Synthesis has done for us.” Afrika Tikkun and Synthesis look forward to continuing their collaboration to equip young people with the educational, technological and life skills needed to achieve personal and economic empowerment.
Charitable giving is not a new phenomenon. It has been embedded in most societies for centuries, although it is at different phases of maturity across the globe.This decade sees philanthropy and sustainability at a pivotal point…
The Changing Face of Philanthropy
The forever evolving geopolitical landscapes of countries, continents and the world have led to new ways of thinking and doing. Changing societal attitudes and behaviours now respond to a more connected and data driven world, while the considerable gap between wealth and poverty have led to greater awareness of the potential of philanthropy. Further, for an increasing number of philanthropists, creating a legacy has finally taken a back seat to making an immediate impact. These factors and more are influencing our traditional approaches to giving. We are seeing a fundamental shift in how and when we give as individuals and as organisations, how we receive and how change is created through our development work.
In truth, philanthropy means generosity in all its forms, sometimes referenced as giving gifts of “time, talent and treasure”. This may sound as if though it applies to individual giving only. However, there are many types of philanthropic efforts in South Africa – local community giving, corporate giving, private foundations and grant making organizations all have a hand in effecting change.
Corporates have, by far, the largest potential to start a revolution in the humanitarian space. There are many types of initiatives that support our shared transformational efforts. These include meeting government legislation, CSI, CSR and Corporate Social Value (CSV) departments, socially responsible impact investing, BEE compliance, collaborations with similarly driven conscious companies, and offering internships and bursaries. Business as usual won’t get the job done – we must adapt.
Conscious Social Responsibility
Social responsibility is now seen as a strategic tool for economy and nation building, as opposed to the traditional welfare lens from which it has previously been viewed. As the Baby Boomer generation gives way to the next, the rationale of where and how to give is changing. Millennials are known for being extremely invested in social good and Gen Z follows this trend towards more sustainable living. Seeing as both generations are set to become the majority of workers and consumers in the future, businesses must start acclimatising.
Afrika Tikkun works in the social responsibility arena with a focus on South Africa’s youth. As such, we are a conscious company that is authentic, transparent, ethical, innovative and responsible. For us, earned income, borrowing money, corporate citizenship and sustainability is of utmost importance. The partners we work with have a like-minded approach to business.
It’s also vital to mention that corporate citizenship cuts across all players in the private sector from big business to small. If we can find alignment and common purpose across all sectors, we will be on the right path towards the transformation we all seek. Responsible business practices all round can drive societal development.
Sustainability
Sustainability deliberately focuses on meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of the future with regard people, planet and profit. For business efficiency, reputation and profits are the most important avenues through which sustainability benefits companies. But more than in-house planning and implementing, for real sustainability in business there needs to be a blend of approaches across all operations. In addition, the types of partnerships we foster must be considered in shaping wider sustainability schemes. Efforts to track results, measure impact and invest in long-term outcomes must be at the heart of companies making social investments.
More and more we hear about the benefits of being mindful, conscious, sustainable. Do these philosophies not parallel the meaning of philanthropy? These practices should absolutely be built into the mainstay of organisations, as well as on an individual level. They need to become part of company strategy and workplace culture, with people actively engaged in sustainability programs. In fact, in absolutely every facet of life we should all be acting on the ‘do no harm principle’.
We should value the people and communities in which we operate and show appreciation for kind, hardworking and passionate staff, volunteers and partners. This, I believe, should be part of the mission of all companies in the country if we are to see lasting change.
And whilst there is hope, a lot more can be done to build a stronger society in South Africa. How we achieve this hinges on the involvement of all parties in the country, not least of all private business.
Thomas Taole, pictured centre above with Msizi Yende and Simphiwe Ntombela at the recent REDHUB series where they did well, has coached sport for the last 30 years at some of the best private schools in Johannesburg. Today he develops the sport careers of township youth through Afrika Tikkun. He discusses some of the challenges and opportunities available to young people who want to develop careers as athletes and sports administrators in SA today.
“School sports in the township is dying a slow death if it isn’t dead already,” Taole declares. “But for South Africa to see the level and number of professional sports players it needs, we need to begin with ensuring the resources and facilities are present in the townships. And here, we are not talking only about facilities, but human resources as well”.
The handful of young people identified by talent scouts and taken in by the private schools is a small percentage of what South Africa could be producing if the disadvantaged communities were more appropriately resourced. A key solution to the lack of sports development is that physical education is not offered as a subject at schools.
“I work at private schools in Johannesburg simply because they are able to pay me. Township school teachers are overwhelmed, overworked and most importantly not trained to teach sport,” Thomas argues. Physical Education is 5% of Life Orientation, and it is being taught by individuals, who are not trained in physical education. They lack the technical know-how to develop athletes. “I stand for the re-institution of physical education into the curriculum, and we are working with a team at the North West University led by Professor Dorita Du Toit to campaign for the return of Physical Education to schools.
It is common for facilities to be built without the appropriate human resources put in place. Tennis courts and cricket grounds should not be built for example, without providing training in those sports at the same time. Moreover, there needs to be training on how to manage and maintain those facilities. “You find people don’t know what to do with those facilities – they use them for weddings, church and funerals and the people who are meant to be benefitting do not,” Taole explains.
Young people wanting to build sports careers as athletes or in sport administration, and who hail from townships face a significant challenge from these complications, as well as from the less obvious challenges, like the expense required to be involved in local and provincial sports. For example, three years ago, Afrika Tikkun had five girls who made the team to represent the district in netball. They were called for training at the University of Pretoria to represent the province. “They had the talent, but neither we as an organisation nor their parents had the capacity or resources to get them there in the evenings – so that is where their career ended,” he confesses.
Sugarboy Malinga teaching boxing to young people.
When a young person represents province, they stand a good chance of being scouted for scholarships to play sports at university level – which in turn is an opportunity for young people to use their talent in order to get an education. But because they were not able to get to Pretoria for their training, all this was lost to these five young women. Similarly, sports administration courses also require hidden costs like transport, accommodation etc. making this career option prohibitive for young people in townships and rural areas.
To solve this problem, Afrika Tikkun approached CATHSSETA – the SETA responsible for sports development – to offer sports administration skills development training at Afrika Tikkun centres in townships. We are in five communities and this would have enabled the SETA to train young people in sports administration on a large scale – without incurring the prohibitive costs in transport and accommodation. Internal changes at the company resulted in the project being abandoned.
Afrika Tikkun shifted its strategy, and today is building partnerships with tertiary institutions to offer bursaries, including Boston College, the University of Johannesburg (UJ) and the North-West University (NWU).
Another important consideration is that children and young people need holistic support in order to be able to play sports (not least to go far in sports). Children and young people need to be able to eat in order to exercise. To children who are hungry, sports is simply not an option. The basic needs of the child are fundamentally important, and take priority. For that reason, government should ideally be partnering with organisations that support the 360° development of the child’s nutritional, health and psycho-social needs.
This is particularly true for young people who want to pursue a career in athletics or sports. Take Khanya Sibanda, he has been with Afrika Tikkun since the age of 5. He is out of school, and is training (as best he can) to compete in the Tokyo Olympics in Track and Field (800m and 1.5km races). In order for him to succeed, he will need a professional team to support him – and it will be costly. He will need access to a gym, a physiotherapist and a personal dietician to ensure he is getting the right nutrition for optimal performance. The institutions who are there to help don’t favour underdogs like Khanya, and instead will invest all their resources into athletes training at elite institutions. Had Khanya been exposed to physical education at school he would be 50% there already, because of his natural talent – but he did not get that.
Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates Development Support starts at 15 – but, argues Taole, that is at least ten years too late – all the bad habits have already been acquired and they are not going to change at that age. Any development programme for sport needs to start at age five; and the aspiring athlete needs to put at least 10 000 hours into becoming a top performer. “As a country we are being reactionary in our response to the challenge of transformation in sports” argues Taole. “We are not solving at the grassroots level. That is why Afrika Tikkun’s model of 360° development from the age of two upwards is the best solution – expensive though it may be.”
To really make an impact on sports development, requires a co-ordinated effort from all stakeholders, which at the moment we don’t get right. “That is why you don’t see many people able to build the kind of career I have been able to build over the last thirty years, today,” Thomas explains.
But through his efforts all this is starting to change. “For the last ten years, my career has been focused on developing young people into the career of sports coaching and movement. I have trained and placed 20 young people into good entry-level coaching jobs at private schools and movement companies.” One example of someone who benefitted from Thomas’ support at Afrika Tikkun, is Thabiso Peloeng who started out on a Learnership at Afrika Tikkun. “We saw his passion and talent in coaching and sent him on further training, and sent him to London to compete in a Triathlon. He eventually became qualified to coach under-7s and today works for a company earning more than four times what he was earning with us.”
Through partnerships he is building, today Thomas is poised to direct many more young people into careers in sports and sports administration. For the organisation, this capacity begins with recruiting passionate and qualified individuals to train Afrika Tikkun’ s young people, and then equipping them with a considered physical education curriculum. Afrika Tikkun has recruited the assistance of experts like Professor Dorita Du Toit to contribute to a sports education curriculum and training materials for its young people. This will go some way towards helping the organisation to ensure that young people with talent are identified early and put on pathways for sport careers, both here and abroad.
Afrika Tikkun has also experienced some success with the City of Johannesburg in the establishment of district-level netball leagues. With the support of the City of Jo’burg, and the Johannesburg Netball Association, it established netball leagues in Region F (inner-city Johannesburg), Region E (Alexandra) and Region A (Diepsloot).
“We put these leagues in place to enable regular and weekly competition for our netball teams. In order for our young people to get into university on netball scholarships, it is very important that when scouts see them, they are competent players and good athletes – who have been competing at the right level,” Taole explains.
Through this partnership, resources are shared in such a way that it allows the community at large to benefit directly and thereby overcome its resource challenge with regard to Netball. Another example of strategic partnerships is Palesa Holdings, who saw the Netball League success in Region F, and contacted Afrika Tikkun to help. They came and offered financial management training for the sports team to enable them to manage budgets.
“We realise that what we want to achieve is ambitious, but our team has been built to a point where we can achieve this for our young people,” Taole explains with a mixture of passion, and sober preparedness for the work that lies ahead. “I am doing today what I was doing at the age of 13, and that was 38 years ago. People would dismiss me and say, “he is just a child”. It is all thanks to the help of many different people along the way who played a part into developing me, and saw my passion. Anyone who wants a career in sports needs this kind of support and this is what we want to provide on a much larger scale to our young people through Afrika Tikkun, and with the help of partners.”
“We have had many failures and disappointments along the way. There have been times when we
have not been able to find the resources we require to do the work, or when partners or stakeholders do not share the vision or the will; but we are making progress,” says Thomas. What is certain, is that the task requires an appreciation of the big picture – that it starts at grassroots; but more than that we need to appreciate the specifics.
It’s all in the details – coordination and cooperation is required across private, public and civic sectors; as well as between basic education and tertiary education – so that career pathways can be designed per individual and that the process is facilitated as smoothly as possible. We also need to ensure young people are supported 360° throughout their lives – most especially if they have the raw talent to really achieve. Expertise in this field is essential – from the educators to the curriculum, to government. Sports is a source of tremendous consumer interest and national pride. With the right investment it can be used to change the conversation we have about ourselves as a country, to excel as we have the capability to do internationally, and to grow the GDP.
Every year on the 18 of July, the UN asks individuals around the world to mark Nelson Mandela International Day by making a difference in their communities. Everyone has the ability and the responsibility to change the world for the better, and Mandela Day is an occasion for everyone to take action and inspire change.
By devoting 67 minutes of their time – one minute for every year of Mr. Mandela’s public service – people can make a small gesture of solidarity with humanity.
This global movement for good was borne out of a United Nations General Assembly resolution A/RES/64/13 which recognized Nelson Mandela’s values and his dedication to the service of humanity, in the fields of conflict resolution, race relations, the promotion and protection of human rights, reconciliation, gender equality and the rights of children and other vulnerable groups, as well as the fight against poverty and the promotion of social justice. It acknowledges his contribution to the struggle for democracy internationally and the promotion of a culture of peace throughout the world.
It is out of respect and support of this unique individual and the resolution of the General Assembly that Ambassador Lenk and his wife Ruth have every year over the last 4 years of their diplomatic sojourn ina South Africa given of their time, intellect, skills and love towards the development of the most vulnerable in township communities of South Africa
Mandela day 2017 was no different. The Ambassador and Ruth Lenk and the entire staff of the Israeli Embassy joined Afrika Tikkun at the Phuthaditjaba Centre in Alexandra for their 67 minutes to honour the legacy of Madiba.
The staff of the Israeli Embassy used their time to interact and engage in stimulating activities with the children that attend Afrika Tikkun’s Early Childhood Development Programme. Other staff helped out with packaging and distributing food parcels to 60 families identified as a result of certain socio-economic vulnerabilities including unemployment.
The Ambassador’s wife, Mrs Ruth Lenk hosted an art session with the 6 and 7 year olds. “I decided to do an art activity with the Grade R Class because from my experience, this is what this age likes to do and it offers a lot of creativity and development for the kids. I love Afrika Tikkun, I have been working with them for four years now and I have enjoyed every minute of it. “She remarked.
The day was full of fun, interactive and educative activities and give-aways. The young and elderly were astounded by the impressive array of stakeholder involvement. Bridget, an Afrika Tikkun beneficiary, expressed gratitude saying, “We are thankful for this act of ‘Ubuntu’. As Nelson Mandela said, “I dream of the realization of the unity of Africa, whereby its leaders combine in their efforts to solve the problems of this continent.”
“We know that when we do something with Afrika Tikkun, we really make a difference because you get to experience an organisation that is doing so much for the future of children of South Africa. I am so happy to spend my afternoon meeting children who are smart and exciting, loving and ready to play. It is such as incredible opportunity”, said Ayellet; the embassies spokesperson.
We know this week concludes the 4 year stay of the Ambassador and his family who have invested so much of their time, resources and networks in support of the work that Afrika Tikkun does for young people from Cradle to Career. We remain determined to do whatever it takes to ensure that today’s young people are tomorrow’s productive citizens. In so doing, we maintain the legacy of Jewish leaders like Ambassador Lenk.
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The beginning of 2017 saw Afrika Tikkun, a leading Non-Governmental Organisation in South Africa celebrate yet another year of great matric results, with a 98% pass rate of its beneficiaries, up from 94% in 2015. A large majority of our Grade 12 Learners finished with a total of 64 distinctions and 158 tertiary acceptances. Facing tremendous odds, students like Yandisa Mtsewu have every reason to be proud. She earned a Bachelor pass (meaning she is eligible to be accepted into a Bachelor’s Degree at University) and 5 distinctions in English, Mathematics, Geography, Life Sciences, and Physical Sciences.
In South Africa, 3.4 million young people don’t have jobs, aren’t in school and aren’t getting a proper education. With no income or education they are likely to be poor and unemployed for the rest of their lives. They are vulnerable to social ills including substance abuse, crime and gangsterism – which is rife in the townships. If they have children, they will not be able to support them fully.
According to the Department of Basic Education, only 10% of children who start school end up matriculating, with the dropout rate in Grade 10 currently at 44.6%. Critical to any intervention that wishes to make an impact in alleviating poverty and youth unemployment in South Africa therefore is support of the child throughout their school career.
Afrika Tikkun’s cradle to career model supports the child’s holistic development and education from early infancy through our Early Childhood Development Programme, throughout their school career, and up until the time they can be placed in work. In South Africa, faced with a unique set of challenges and exigencies, this commitment to the full lifespan of the youth is the best and most reasonable solution.
Particular attention is given to young people during their secondary school years – working in schools and from its 5 Centres of Excellence in Johannesburg and Cape Town, learners are given career guidance, taught study skills and learning skills, and counselled with resources about paths that can be followed in pursuit of chosen career paths. Afrika Tikkun believes that every young person deserves the opportunity to be the best that they can be –meaning they ultimately find work they can thrive and be productive in. its main programme targeted at school going children after-school provides a series of activities that enhance the young person not only in terms of academic support but in the total development of the individual. Regular attendance of the over 5000 registered beneficiaries empowers young people to make positive life, learning and career choices, and the ability to take responsibility for their own lives. Through tutoring, mentoring, access to the library, the internet and computers, young people are motivated to improve their academics and end up completing matric (or an alternative pathway). They are developed into leaders and active citizens.
Through many of these programmes, Afrika Tikkun develops young people into active citizens, the leaders of tomorrow and lifelong learners who through the pursuit of innovation and creativity are poised to lead in their chosen career paths.
Beneficiaries in all the programmes are also supported holistically – meaning that every beneficiary receives nutritional support, social support and also primary health care support at some of our Centres.
The libraries at some of Afrika Tikkun’s Community Centers often host camps for Grade 12s (matric year). The camp serve as an opportunity for the young people to get enough time to study. Many young people share a one room shack with their parents and their siblings, others stay next to a tavern or sheeben, and others come from abusive families or environments where there is little or no infrastructure that support learning including electricity. Camps enable them to have a safe learning and study environment in what would be one of the most important years in their developmental history. The impact of holding the camp saw our Grade 12 results and University acceptances improve drastically ( by 60%) in one center enabling beneficiaries to become eligible for further education and training.
Since the first camp, the libraries have extended their operational hours, and ensured learners are fed and safely returned home after studying. In the words of our Diepsloot Community Center librarian Cate Masetla, “I want the learners to do well, which is why I have no issues with going home late as long as I know they got what they came to the centre for – to study in a safe and quiet environment”.
It has become a mission for Afrika Tikkun to support every beneficiary registered in its Centres in the townships of Alexandra, inner-city, Diepsloot and Orange farm in Gauteng as well as Mfuleni in the Western Cape. Particular emphasis is given to Grade 9, when subject choices are made, and Grade 11, who benefit from a special Saturday School offering Maths, English Accounting and Sciences. Matriculants from our Diepsloot Center also receive support from the American International School of Johannesburg (AISJ) where they have access to the Physical Science Laboratory. This is an invaluable resource that they would otherwise not have.
Beyond the exams, librarians follow up with the learners to see if they are in tertiary institutions and offer the needed support with regards to bursaries, learnerships and opportunities. Graduates are often invited back to the centre to motivate the next generation of matriculants. One such person is Kegomoditswe. Coming from a single parent family and a household without income, she was determined to excel and visited our library ever day during matric. At the end of the year she received 5 distinctions. Thanks to the guidance and support of the librarian, she was awarded a full scholarship to study Mechatronic Engineering at the University of Cape Town.
Alice Maimela 18, was born in Limpopo and moved to Diepsloot to live with her mother and 2 siblings. During her high school years, Alice used the library and attended Saturday school. In September, while writing her Grade 12 prelims, Alice lost her mother, her only parent to a fight against an illness. While a heartbroken Alice couldn’t face continuing, she found comfort in her friends and Afrika Tikkun’s library mentor, Cate Masetla. She went on to pass her matric with 4 Distinctions. “Afrika Tikkun helped me cope with losing my mother, I couldn’t study at home because everything reminded me of my mother, and she used to be very loud so studying in a quiet house reminded me of the gap she left”. With her great matric results, but unable to afford the fees, Alice wishes to study Law in 2018. Currently, she is giving back to her school as a student teacher and encouraging this year’s batch of matriculants at Afrika Tikkun.
Tertiary study costs are prohibitive for many of our beneficiaries, and many fail to apply or are forced to drop out. After school, our Youth Skills Development and Placement (YSDP) programme provides career guidance, job readiness training, job placement and bursaries for further learning. This is targeted at young adults with a matric or equivalent between the ages of 19-35yrs (although the primary focus is youth from 19-25yrs). This course has seen beneficiaries like Alice prepared for the world of work. This programme also places young people in entry-level work and learnership opportunities. To date 607 beneficiaries have been placed in learnerships, internships and entry-level jobs. Those who haven’t been placed are currently going through interviews to determine appropriate job placements.
Onyi Nwaneri
Director: Strategy, Partnerships and Communications
