Upstart - Grocott's Mail

UPSTART NOVEMBER 2011
7
Columba 1400 SA Leadership Academy
Columba 1400 SA is an initiative that aims to change schools, communities and individuals. It
is mainly involved with schools all over South Africa. Grade 10s from Mary Waters and Kingswood
College were given an opportunity to go to a camp, all they had to do was to write an
essay about why the should be chosen. Only six learners from each school were chosen to
go to the camp that was held at the Kaba/Quest Africa Lodge. At the camp we were met by
C1400 SA representatives Quinton Pretorius, Neo Raliphanda and Sive Msomi. We were given
a tour of the beautiful farm/game reserve.
A lot was learnt at the academy and each day was dedicated to a word. The first day’s word
was awareness. We did a lot of activities that made us and our teachers aware of our surroundings.
The second word was focus and for me this day was particularly hard because I had to face my
fears. I had to milk a cow which was scary. We also had to do shooting, I found this to be great
and needed a lot of focus. The third word was creativity, we needed to use creativity to solve
our problems. In the evenings we sat around the circle of wisdom where each person had to
say their highlight of the day and what they enjoyed.
We had an activity around integrity where we were the town committee and had to solve
Ubuntu Village’s problems. We had to deal with drunk teenagers, an irritating church woman
and a corrupt business man. What surprised me was that at some point it stopped being funny
and we were all stressing, trying to solve these problems. The last words were perseverance
and service. We had to come up with a way to thank our hosts and the people who helped us.
Sandwiches were made, potjies cooked, showers taken, long walks, cows milked, talks shared
and cards played. Personalities blossomed and friendships made. Phones went missing and were
found again, jokes shared and a lot knowledge gained. Graduation was so beautiful, everyone got
to graduate and make a speech. We learnt a lot from it and we all hope to take what we learnt,
improve and help change our surroundings.
By Aphiwe Ngalo • Grade 10, Mary Waters High School
Journey to discover history
Robben Island was declared a museum in the year 1997 and since then initiatives surrounding it
have been developed. Isivivane Solwazi Spring School is a yearly initiative that requires learners
from all over the country to come together and learn more about the island. Living around people
from different cultures was indeed overwhelming, especially on the iconic island. Each year has
a different theme. 2010’s theme was xenophobia and this year’s theme was Conservation and
Restoration of Tangible and Intangible Heritage.
Staring at a cell that once belonged to a man who was to become South Africa’s first black president
was stunning. We participated in a knowledge hunt that was fun and informative. We got to
learn more about the people who are associated with Robben Island. Visiting places like the maximum
security prison meant that little things I never knew were learnt. For example, many believe
that President Jacob Zuma left school in Grade 7 but few know that he may have been part of the
study office they had on the island and he may
have graduated there.
What also stood out for me was the kramat. A kramat is a burial shrine and the one on the island was created to remember a
Muslim hero who was once a prisoner at the maximum security prison. Muslims pass there regularly to pay their tribute.
We had a cultural evening that showcased the beauty and diversity of South African cultures. It was an experience not to be forgotten.
This experience taught me that some things aren’t what they seem and that at times we might look at the bigger elephant
when there is a smaller more powerful ant. For example, people were agitated to see Mr Nelson Mandela’s prison cell when
other people like Marcus Solomon were also prisoners there.
It was an enjoyable trip that will be open to other Grade 10 learners next year.
By Nkcubeko Balani • Grade 10, Mary Waters High School
REPORT
W 2 word worth knowing
K
terminate
type of word: verb
to bring to an end