Theater for Life

On Friday, 3 March our learners had the opportunity to experience a live performance of the immensely talented young people of 'Theater for Life'.

This insightful production addresses relevant, contemporary issues like that our youth grapple with in their every day lives both at home and at school. The fact that all of these actors are youngsters, more or less their own age, makes the production so much more real for them. Issues like prejudice, favouritism, sexual abuse, sexuality, peer pressure, parent pressure, etc are some of the themes highlighted in the play.

What struck me was how learners of the four grades (Gr 8, 9, 10 and 12) represented responded to the question and answer session after the play. In fact, it was shocking that only two learners out of a group of 100 could find the courage to respond to the actors' questions after the play. It seems non of them felt confident enough to either ask a question or comment on what they experienced during the play. As I stood there confused and rather disappointed, realising that this was not due to a lack of interest, but much more possibly due to the fear of being made fun of by their peers for attempting to answer in English, although they were encouraged to answer in the language of their choice, or general lack of confidence, mostly due to too little opportunities like these created for them to speak or do this more often.

As I witnessed this, one thought came to my mind, create more opportunities for these young leaders to be exposed to and to portray what they ate capable of if given more opportunities to do so.

Final lap 2016

As I looked at class of 2016 this morning, I couldn't help feeling deeply saddened. I'm sad for so many reasons. Observing them I had an immense sense of loss. I doubt whether they realise how many opportunities they've allowed to go by unutilized. Opportunities that offered life changing experiences, ... ignored, unappreciated, missed, lost, gone forever!

My prayer is that on the eve of the most important exam of their life, they will be awakened by a much deeper sense of reality, knowing that they need to draw on every bit of strength within to resiliently rise above every circumstance posing a challenge to realising their short term goals of obtaining their senior certificates and in so doing unlocking the chances of a better life, beyond the restrictive boundaries of a life prone to all sorts of abuses, poverty, gangsterism, crime and all evils associated with these crippling realities. So help them God!

Tracking progress on my journey towards whole-school improvement

As I reflect on the past 18 months on this new journey on which I've been called to serve in specific schools at risk, I'm filled with immense gratitude for the opportunity to contribute in a way that is so incredibly fulfilling and provides so much joy and contentment in serving my divine purpose.

An incredible sense of belonging fills one that moment you sense "this is it", I am where I'm intended to be. Nothing beats the feeling, the energy it ignites is simply indescribable. The closest description that comes to my mind is the immense sense of comfort when I get into my preheated bed at the end of a very cold, Winter's day or the taste of English toffee frozen yoghurt on a warm, Summer's day.

That's how I've been feeling this past year and a half. Each day has provided the most incredible opportunities, whether spontaneous or planned. With every new day's challenges, I gained physical and mental strength through collaborative interventions, sourcing expertise, inviting synergised inputs, inspiring hope in what seemed hopeless situations and ultimately implementing action plans which in many cases, though not all, provided the desired outcomes. The collective experiences gained, was shaped towards enlightened perspectives of self and others, our joint fears, our joint moments of confusion, helplessness and frustration and then the adrenalin rush when that 'aha' moment arrives, the moment of enlightenment, followed by hope and faith when the possible solution is formulated and articulated.

As we navigated the ship through each of these various tides of school life, a growing awareness took shape: 'I am, because of you!' The wonderfully, divine orchestration of cause and effect, finding a common vision, joining in collaborative action in the subsequent pursuit towards understanding in times of confusion, answers to the many questions, a solution to the many challenges, and in every moment of achievement, collective celebration of courageous efforts! We are because of us!

Inspiring excellence

Amanda Gudwa 

Bottom: with Mr Qali (History teacher)and Mr Solly Mqoqi (History Subject Adviser)

Amanda Gudwa, a Gr. 11 learner at Esangweni Secondary school is the only entrant this year in the Albert Luthuli Young Historian Awards from Metropole East Education District. She selected a local resident of Khayelitsha who dedicates his life to empowering young people from his neighbourhood to become achievers in life. We are exceptionally proud of this young lady and wish her all the best on this exciting journey. A word of gratitude to her educator,  Mr Qali for his encouragement and for identifying the potential in his learners. 

I salute all educators who are willing to go that extra mile to unlock opportunities like these for their learners.

I'm in the business of inspiring legacies worth sharing

No, this is no competition aimed at a grand prize, this is merely the desire of winning more opportunities for our youth in pursuit of their destiny, a life so rewarding and fulfilling, it will unlock a treasure chest of legacies far beyond the authors' wildest imagination!

Oh my, how this thought fills me with exhilirating visions of young men and women living exemplary,  fulfilling and purpose-driven lives. I want so much to be part of this 'fairy tale' for as many of our princesses and princes as I possibly can.

So, here's to the next phase in my pursuit to living a purposeful life! Here's to building those awesome legacies worth sharing!

Masters of their own destiny

Our youth, our future: enthusiastic about personal development, in pursuit of their destiny!

For every season there's a reason

For every season there's a reason

Sounds a little cliché at first glance, but an amazingly affirmative from where I'm standing.


You see, frankly, for the past three years I've merely been "surviving", having to constantly push myself each day of every year to boldly put up the front of a 'successful', enthusiastic professional ready to take on every challenge in improving the educational outcomes of the institutions that I serve. Some challenges, I'm pleased to say, were resolved, but some sadly still hang over my head like a dark cloud, hauntingly, feeding on the energy created by crippling, fear provoking  social contexts that compares with the many horror movies created as fictitious tales to entertain.

The encounters I've had left me at a loss for words at times, at best I walked into some situations with barely my faith in a Divine God with a sweet promise of never forsaking us, for there was no manual, no guideline document, no precidence in possible appropriate practice. For the most part it had much to do with creating the appropriate response and accompanying action in the moment. Yep, building the bridge over the troubled water with each progressing step towards the opposite side. To be continued ...