Thandulwazi Times 2011 Volume 1 - St Stithians College

Newsletter 1/2011
31 October 2011
Thandulwazi Times
“Education's nemesis is
not ignorance but fear.
Fear gives ignorance
its power.
We are always teaching
in the face of fear;
that is why we need
the courage to teach."
Parker J Palmer
Inside this
issue:
Thobeka joins the
Thandulwazi Team
2
Peer Tutors in action 2
Young Saints take up
the challenge
Caught up at Careers
Day
Farewell to the
Thandulwazi Matric
Class of 2011
3
3
4
Thanks to our donors 4
Thandulwazi—ubuntu in action
David Wylde, current CEO of Penreach and a former Rector of St
Stithians College, addressed close on 700 teachers and donors at the
Closing Ceremony of the Thandulwazi Teacher Development Programme
on Saturday, 15 October 2011. Wylde reminded the educators
that “teachers touch eternity” (Henry Brook Adams) and that their influence
is exponential. He noted that in South Africa there was a “blame
game” going on in education and suggested that it was time to move
beyond finger pointing and for all to take responsibility for fixing the
wrongs in education, so that South Africa could move forward. Referring
to the Parker J Palmer book The Courage to Teach, Wylde urged all
teachers to step up to the plate; to overcome their fears; and to be
courageous as they carry out the important task of educating South
Africa’s future leaders.
This year 688 educators and school principals from schools across
Gauteng, as well as from Limpopo, Mpumalanga, the Northwest and
even KwaZulu-Natal, registered for the ten Thandulwazi teacher workshops,
which focussed on the professional development and up-skilling
of teachers currently working in schools in previously disadvantaged
David Wylde urged teachers to have
“the courage to teach”
areas. Sessions concentrated mainly on numeracy and literacy in the Foundation Phase; Maths, Science
and Technology at the Intermediate and Senior Phases; and upgrading the computer skills of educators.
Programme Director, Karen Walstra, comments that: “The joy and excitement on teachers’ faces when
using a computer for the first time or participating in collaborative discussions about coping with large
classes or discipline issues at school, are a privilege to behold.”
Leadership workshops were run for 80 principals and aspiring school leaders and covered key topics such
as budgeting; strategic planning; how to deal with bullying; leading with influence; setting up a school
library; the principles of Investment in Excellence etc..
Jeska Mnguni, one of the teachers who has benefitted from the Thandulwazi teachers’ programme describes
Thandulwazi as “ubuntu in action”. Jeska, a Foundation Phase teacher from Mdelwa Hlongwane
Primary School (Soweto), has attended the teacher workshops for the last two years. When describing
the impact that Thandulwazi has had on her career, Jeska comments that “Thandulwazi has made me fall
in love with teaching all over again … Long may Thandulwazi continue to thrive and help myself and others.”
Rokunda—we are winning!
Nearly 700 teachers, some with their families; donors and Foundation Governors; and workshop presenters attended the Thandulwazi Closing Ceremony this year

Thandulwazi Times
Intern-Teacher Training programme: Thobeka
joins the Thandulwazi Team
In May 2011, we were delighted to welcome on board, as the new Director of the Intern-Teacher
Training Programme, Mrs Thobeka Zuma-Mngambi. After graduating from JCE in 2001, with a
Higher Diploma in Education specialising in Maths and Science teaching, Thobeka joined the staff of
Barnato Park High School where she taught Maths, Maths Literacy and Physical Science for five
years. Thobeka is currently based at St Stithians Girls’ Prep, where she is the Mathematic Coordinator.
Thobeka has been involved In the Thandulwazi Maths & Science Academy for a number
of years, as both a teacher of Maths Literacy at the Saturday School and a facilitator at the Thandulwazi
teacher workshops. Her enthusiasm and passion for teacher training are infectious and
Thobeka has brought a new energy to the Intern-Teacher Training Programme.
Thobeka Zuma-Mngambi, Thandulwazi
Intern Director
“A lack of knowledge
is darker than the
night”
African Proverb
At the end of 2011, seven Thandulwazi intern teachers are due to graduate. An advert to recruit
seven new interns for next year was placed in the Sowetan, the Sunday World and on the ISASA
website at the end of July 2011 . More than 700 applications were received by the closing date (18
August). Following a review of these applications, 19 prospective interns for 2012 were interviewed.
The 11 shortlisted candidates completed a Thomas Profile assessment before the final
selection was made. For the first time since the programme started in 2005, one of the new intern
teachers for 2012 is a Thandulwazi Saturday School learner, currently completing her Matric at
Waverley Girls’ High School.
Sumaya Patel is due to graduate as a Foundation Phase teacher at the end of 2011. She describes
her experience of the Thandulwazi Intern-Teacher Training Programme as follows:
“At St Stithians Junior Prep, I have been given the amazing opportunity to learn from many different
teachers, all with their own personal teaching styles, and this has afforded me the opportunity to
learn the best, from the best. Studying and working has proven to be a challenge but at the end of
each day, I feel a sense of achievement at getting one step closer to my goal ... The internship at St
Stithians is a once in a lifetime opportunity. It has taught me to be more assertive and confident as
well as to work hard and play smart.”
Peer Tutors in action
An exciting new feature of the Thandulwazi Saturday School in 2011 has been the introduction of peer tutors. A small but dedicated
group of Grade 11 & 12 girls from St Stithians Girls’ College volunteered to spend their Saturday mornings assisting learners at the Saturday
School. In a short time, these peer tutors have made a significant difference in the lives of other young people and they too have
been impacted by their involvement at Thandulwazi.
Paula Barrow, pictured with Thandulwazi learners and fellow peer tutor
Kabelo Mathipa (both Grade 11), comments that: “Thandulwazi is an amazing
way to help pupils who may not be receiving the best education at their
own schools. The students that attend Saturday School are girls and boys
that are going out of their way to improve their own education and that is
what makes it so special. They are there because they want to be there, not
because they are forced to attend...”
“Tutoring at the Saturday School has been a humbling experience, “ adds
Kabelo, “It has strengthened my passion for learning and enhanced my excitement
for making a difference in the world. I truly enjoy the lessons at the
Saturday School and I am constantly inspired by the commitment and enthusiasm
of the students, (whose) diligence, hard work and positive involvement
has been evident…”
“When you learn, teach
When you get, give”
Page 2
Maya Angelou

Newsletter 1/2011
Young Saints support Thandulwazi
Following the launch of the Thandulwazi Trust at the annual St Stithians Founders’ Day on 04
June 2011, two young “Saints”, James van Heerden and Robert-Reece North, both Grade 5 learners
at St Stithians Boys’ Prep, took up the fundraising challenge.
The boys decided to raise money for the Thandulwazi teacher workshops by selling hot chocolate
during the chilly Winter Term. Every Friday morning from 06h45, James and Robert sold cups of
steaming hot chocolate (with 2 marshmallows per cup!) at the Boys’ Prep. In just six weeks, they
raised R2 450,00 in support of the Thandulwazi teacher development programme.
James and Robert handed over their donation to the St Stithians Foundation Chair, Mr Peter
Backwell, at the end-of-year Closing Ceremony on 15 October 2011. This gave the Thandulwazi
Trustees and the teachers who attend the teacher workshops the opportunity to acknowledge
the contribution made by James and Robert and to express their appreciation for their efforts,
hard work and sense of community. Well done boys!
“To those to whom much has
been given, much is expected”
Look who attended Careers Day
Nearly 300 Grade 10 and 11 learners participated in the
Careers Day on Saturday, 06 August 2011. It was decided
to specifically target the Grade 10 & 11 learners who attend
the Thandulwazi Saturday School, as many scholars
do not seem to realise how important it is to choose the
correct subjects at school for particular courses of tertiary
study or how important their Grade 11 year-end results
are when applying to the universities.
We were delighted to welcome as our guest speaker Mr
Buhle Dlamini, Managing Director of Young & Able and a
strategic partner of Heartlines. Buhle’s message to the
Thandulwazi learners, entitled Owning the Future, was so
positive and relevant; delivered with humour, eloquence
and sincerity; and targeted at developing the next generation
of leaders. Buhle’s address stimulated much discussion
amongst the students.
Once again, the volunteer Career Guidance facilitators
(Mesdames Mamedupi Moshidi & Sindiswa Calana), put
together a wonderful programme of speakers for the
morning. Ms Ntombi Malinga, from Eskom, introduced
the students to an inspirational young man, Edward
Ndopu, who is physically disabled and confined to a
wheelchair. Edward spoke about overcoming challenges
and not letting “minor barriers”, like being a quadriplegic,
stand in the way of one’s ambitions and goals. Linda
Galanakis, an English teacher at the Thanduwlazi Saturday
School, addressed students on Teaching: a noble profession;
and Ivan Sibisi spoke about the challenges and rewards
of engineering as a career. The speakers were all
outstanding role models for our young people and answered
the questions posed in the Q&A sessions with skill,
perception and from personal experience.
Page 3
Several tertiary institutions attended the morning (viz. the
University of Pretoria, University of Johannesburg, Wits
University, Damelin, Boston City Campus and Midrand
Graduate Institute) to engage with the learners.

Thandulwazi Times
Thandulwazi wishes all the Grade 12s
every success in their exams...
The final examinations for the Matric Class of 2011 commenced
last week. The Thandulwazi Grade 12s were each sent a personal
text message wishing them success in their exams and were
reminded of the words of Persius, that “He/she conquers that
endures”.
This term the Matrics were encouraged to provide Thandulwazi
with their Examination Numbers so that their final results could
be tracked. The first 150 students to provide these numbers
were given a backpack, sponsored by a St Stithians parent, Mr
Wade Eshelby.
Pictured is the Foundation Director, Bev Johnson, handing over
the bags to two Matriculants, Robert Shai & Kholofelo Soafo, both
from Ivory Park Secondary School.
Siyabonga - Thank you to our current donors - Ke a leboha
The expansion, impact and reach of the Thandulwazi programmes would not have been possible without the support of individual benefactors
and the funding received from corporate donors in 2011. Thank you, one and all, for your generosity and commitment to providing
effective quality education for all in South Africa.
We are grateful for the funding received this year from the following companies and trusts:
Allen John Trust; Auto & General Fund; Barloworld Trust; Datacentrix; Dial Direct Fund; Federated Employers’ Mutual Assurance Company
(FEM); ISS Group Africa; KONICA (t/a Bay Trading); Lightstone (Pty) Ltd; Paul & Stella Loewenstein Trust; M.E.D. Control Systems; OMNIA
Group (t/a Protea Chemicals); Pretoria Portland Cement Company Limited (PPC); The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited; STANLIB; and
Steinmüller Africa.
Our sincere thanks to the following individual donors for their generous support:
Nic & Rene Swart; Dr Kay Karlsson & Family; Ms Lucy Bushill-Matthews & Family; Mrs Margaret Stoutt; Mrs Janet Atkinson; the Simpson-
Craib Family; the Schlebush Family; the Doig Family; the Breetzke Family; the Wharton-Hood Family; Dr Ian Beeton; Mr & Mrs George
Beeton; Ms Diana Springer; James van Heerden and Robert-Reece North; the Marthinusen Family.
Issued by:
The St Stithians Foundation Director
40 Peter Place, Lyme Park, Sandton
Private Bag 2, Randburg 2125
Tel: +27 (0) 11 577-6193
Fax: +27 (0) 11 577-6478
E-mail: bev@stithian.com or foundation@stithian.com
Thandulwazi Programme Directors
Saturday School—Mr MZ Khoza
Teacher Development Programme—Mrs K Walstra
Intern-Teacher Training Programme—Mrs T Zuma-Mngambi
Foundation Governors
P Backwell, K Brimacombe, A de Souza, B Kinmont, N Langa-
Royds, SB Lowry, K Morolo, P van Beek, A Watt & S Wharton-
Hood
Thandulwazi Saturday School—Grade 12s hard at work in an Accounting
Revision Class, 15 October 2011