Photograph by: Simon Mathebula
She will be remembered as a graceful pillar of justice, who maintained a strong commitment to her family and country throughout some of the most chaotic times in South African history.
Her legacy lives on through the Albertina Sisulu Foundation and Albertina Sisulu Multi-Purpose Resource Centre
In the past, crime and corporal punishment dictated the schools in South Africa, but security has made it so students can now receive an education in a safe and protected environment. Now, the emphasis is on educating students through life skills and technology. Doing so has decreased the volume of teenagers getting pregnant and abusing drugs (such as Tek). This sort of education and raising awareness is largely due to the efforts of Love life and HIV/AIDS campaigns found in communities such as Khayelitsha, Langa and Gugulethu.
Modern technology has allowed people to improve their lives and become more educated on issues such as Medicine, education, and current affairs.
Some say that internet access in South Africa has increased the knowledge of today’s youth, so that by the time they enter university, they are familiar with a lot of the school subjects. 10 years ago, it was not as easy for youth to learn materials as they did not have many resources or examples to reference. Instead of using the internet, a student would have to go to a library and tour an area in person in order to fully comprehend an idea.
These days, if a student is unsure about a topic, they can search on various websites and in class, a teacher can project material onto a big screen for all students to utilize.
Long time ago, students could only access computers when they attended higher institutions. Currently, we have juniors and high schools offering computers, both practically and theoretically.
Once a student understands a computer and learns how to utilize the internet, they become more self-sufficient, which in turn, gives them more knowledge and learning opportunities. The use of internet also helps a student succeed in University and most importantly, it allows them to think larger and live open-mindedly.
References:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/813305/
how_far_has_modern_technology_improved.html
Photo: flickr
Patricia de Lille was appointed as Minister of Social Development in the Western Cape. Photo: Carolyn Meads via Flickr
Premier Helen Zille has reshuffled her cabinet in the Western Cape and Patricia de Lille has been appointed as the new Minister of Social Development. It will now be interesting to see what the impact will be on the social development sector in the province.
Polity.org reports that De Lille said: “Social development is my passion. For 24 years I’ve been fighting for the poor and the downtrodden. You won’t find me in an office, I will be out there dealing with the problems on the ground.”
This follows after the ID, the political party formed by De Lille in 2003, joined the DA on 15 August this year. According to Who’s Who of Southern Africa De Lille was the first woman to form a political party in this country.
South African History Online says De Lille has been vocal on “sensitive issues such as corruption, HIV/AIDS, women and child abuse, children in prison, xenophobia and poverty”. She also serves on the boards of the following organisations:
The new appointment might mean new energy in the sector. Whatever happens, the most important thing is the impact on the poorest communities. Will a new appointment make a difference to them?
High school learners work with Equal Education to affect change in their schools.
“Equal Education is a movement of learners, parents, teachers and community members working for quality and equality in South African education, through analysis and activism” (Equal Education Annual Report, 2008).
South African high school learners are taking a lead in making a difference in their schools through their membership to the inspiring NPO, Equal Education.
In an education system which remains mostly unequal, these grade 8 to 12 learners, called “equalisers”, set an example to their peers through their dedication to their own education. They also play a leading role in the activities of the organisation.
Equal Education was founded in 2008 as a community and membership-based organisation. Based in Khayelitsha, Equal Education is research-driven and believes in engaging in “…evidence-based activism for improving the nation’s schools”.
The organisation is premised upon the principles of promoting the right to equality and education, as founded within our constitution. Currently, Equal Education is advocating for functional libraries in all schools- “one school, one library, one librarian”. Prior to this campaign, Equal Education successfully embarked on reducing the number of learners arriving late at schools within Khayelitsha.
Equal Education wants to improve education for all children.
The “equalisers” are described by Equal Education as the most active members of the organisation. They work tirelessly in afternoons, after school, in an effort to effect change in their schools and ultimately communities.
Development Works is inspired by the active participatory nature and structure of the organisation which encourages the ‘ownership’ shown by these young ‘equalisers’ in taking responsibility for their own education.
Click here to visit the Equal Education website.
Children from Hout Bay are kept off the streets with soccer, in the Stars in their Eyes project.
Ironically, even though South Africa will be hosting the 2010 Fifa World Cup in less than a year, physical education is deprioritised in schools across the country. The benefits of sport for one’s well-being are disregarded.
This was the opinion of guests at a colloquium hosted by the Social Transformation Programme of the Department of the Premier, on Thursday the 25 June. The goal of the colloquium was to address the issue of how sport could contribute to social transformation.
The colloquium consisted firstly of a panelist discussion, where key stakeholders and academics working within the arena of sport and transformation put forward their views on sport as a mechanism for social transformation. Both the achievements and challenges at a policy level and grassroots level were raised.
Following the panelist discussion the floor was opened to the guests for comments. The floor’s diverse composition made for an insightful discussion. An interesting point to arise from the discussion is the fact that physical education is no longer included in the South African school curriculum.
Sport has many benefits and should be practised in schools.
Luckily, with South Africa’s responsibility as host of the 2010 Fifa World Cup, sport has been pushed up the priority list, for example with the Stars in their Eyes project that aims to uplift children in priority areas through soccer. However, sport needs to be prioritised even more. South Africa’s hosting of the 2010 Fifa World Cup should be used to put sport back into schools.
While doing an evaluation of the Stars in their Eyes project, Development Works explored the many benefits that sport has for children. It does not only keep them physically healthy, but also keeps them from the streets, gangs and drugs, builds their self-esteem and teaches them to work hard within a team. This is very necessary.
