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We had the last Friday meet up with the mentees at the sports field. Had the sun out but there was wind which made it bit cold even with the sun out, we had our check ins and touch on how many felt about the struggles from the month they faced...

We discussed the importance of time management and importance of eating proper breakfast at the start of the day, went around the group getting information about what different mentees eat in the morning, Decided we (I) would draw up a plan with different breakfast ideas (cheap and what to make) and would send it to the mentees because many said they don’t eat in the morning and they don't know what to eat. The group was open and interactive the whole-time asking questions and participating throughout.

Text by Siwze - Mentor

The Thatha Ithuba Holiday club serves a purpose of safe-keeping and educating young children from community of Imizamo Yethu during the school holiday’s

The biggest concern is safety; most parents unfortunately cannot take leave from employment during these holidays and most of these children come from single-parented homes and are therefore left unguarded during the day. Our community is infested with drug use and there are no safe places for children to play during these hours as they have free time on their hands. We provide a safe space for them, this also gives parents a peace of mind, knowing their children are well taken of.

The second concern is that some children depend on feeding schemes provided for at schools in order for them to have a nutritional meal. We, in the programme ensure that each kids at least has meal, as for some this might be the only meal available for them to eat that day.,

The kids we take are mostly ages from 5 years to 13 years and  we do fun and educational activities with them , we help them embrace their different talents. We also expose them to the concept of dreaming and seeing themselves in better places in the future as we lead them in topics to their their careers and dreams. Helping them share why they want to be in those fields and this always provides an opportunity for them to let us in on their home situations for example, one child wanted to be a police because his father is physically abusive towards his mother.

Text by Debra

In today's session we talked about tutoring classes for some of the mentees since we're about to start our exams. We also talked about when we'll apply for varsitiy and what we need in order to apply and that we need guidance throughout the whole process of applying online because it can be a bit tricky. And some of us have started applying already but some of us haven't because of different reasons. And sis' Dee said she'd help us with applying  and she'll let us know when she's free to help us.

The Yenza phase 2 worshop held on Saturday went very well.
Discovering a career is not a easy process, it a process that could change at anytime of ones life.
But we try our best that the current career that our mentees choose could lead to a satisfied career and a better future.

The mentors enlightened the mentees about the reality of life and the impart of doing something that was meant for you. The mentees were open minded as to understanding different careers by the presentation if the mentors .

The one on one (mentor mentee) added more value to the day, as mentors connected with their mentees on personal level. Mentors helped mentees have better understanding on the different career they wish to follow. It was also another opportunity for the mentoring relationship to grow.

We hope that our mentee will understanding the reality that the career they wish to follow brings and whether it will be possible to go into such career with their current academic results.

Overall Experience Report

This year's camp was large and full of joy as well as pain, but it was all in good fun. From the minute we stepped into the taxi, situations occurred in which people either did not arrive on time for their scheduled departure or miscommunicated pick-up times, etc... However, to everyone's amazement, the themes included all of the misconduct and mental health issues that everyone was dealing with following the Pandemic.

The team was presented with a new system that I believe is ideal for assisting the main board in working with Thata ithuba to track challenges faced by both mentees and mentors.

The Following is a Report from Aviwe Msindisi Regarding his Camp experience. 

I was pleased we had parents coming together with their childern, the day was about giving parents about what we do and asking for then to work hand in hand with us and childern, most importantly trying to encourage more communication between parents and childern.
My highlight of the day meeting the parents!!they were pleased to meet us ,they were interested and happy we were in their childerns lives and helping guide them. Was great to have gina at the parents meeting and mentee talk so she could experience the progress of the events first hand .

Text by Sizwe

On Saturday we had our first Yenza Program Workshiop. We guided the Mentees through a very instructive program that gave them a quick understanding of their personality and potential job options once finished with Matric.

As we were connecting with our mentees as the year begins this year, a lot of them feel like the school is pressuring them with academics. Every Friday of the month creates a relaxing space for our mentees building relationships within themselves and to better their journey as they go through this year.

What a special and an amazing time had, reuniting with everyone in a New year full of great expectations, it’s safe to say that we all have plans for the year, because what’s a year without plans?! nothing.
Everybody was wearing a beautiful smile on their faces and ready for an informative session. It seems like 2022 is not like any other year. Everyone sees it as year to regain stability and progression post the pandemic and we were so happy to hear this, as we’re slowly progressing as a union.

The Holiday Club is aimed at keeping kids safe during school holidays, not only do the kids stay without a parent supervision during hours when their parents are at work. We know that most kids in our community rely on the food schemes provided at school and during holidays this means some kids don't have food at home.

We see it as one of our responsibility to spend time with these kids. They are our future in IY. That is why we try to organize these "Kids Holiday Clubs" during the big holiday breaks.

The Thata Ithuba Camp this time was so different to previous camps not because it was a different site but because we got in depth with our relationships as mentors and mentees. Besides the fact that it was towards the end of the year, and everybody had either just finished exams or they’d closed from work everybody was excited for the camp.

With the GAME CHANGER Programme we support learners at Silikamva High School in Imizamo Yethu to develop a deeper conceptual understanding of the subject matter and greater confidence in application of the concepts in Mathematics and Life Science in examinations. The aim of the intervention is for learners in Mathematics and Life Sciences at the School to advance their understanding of the fundamental concepts of the subjects and to prepare them to improve their performance in the year-end examinations.

The game changer program officially began on June 14, 2021. The focus Grades for the moment (Pilot) were 8, 9, and 12. Tutoring classes take place on Monday through Thursday afternoons for grade 8 and 9, and Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings for grade 12. Three final-year education students at Cape Peninsula University of Technology are responsible for Grade 8 and 9, while Mrs Fiona Heaney (Math Teacher) teaches Grade 12 mathematics students.

Well done Zizo Mphola! Congratulations.

Zizo was in the first group of our mentees back in 2016. 5 Years ago. Now she got her Diplom in Entrepreneurship! Proud moment for her, the team and her mentor Azola :-)

The boys and girls gathering event was held at Houtbay Snoekies on Saturday. The presentation began at 10:00 a.m. On this day, we were joined by Ashley, who supplied SUBZ pads for the women, as well as the DRR Rex, who was there to observe and support the day. We also had other guests. We had burgers with cheese, mayo, lettuce, and polonies for lunch. We also had snacks like chocolates and chips, as well as bananas and other fruits.

Theme: Team Buidling & Get-together
Date: 28/11/2020
Venue: Kirstenbosch Gardens & Blockhouse Kitchen Constantia
 

Kirstenbosch Gardens

On the 8th of November we went to Kirstenbosch Gardens for team building. When we got there, we did our check-in, we all had to introduce ourselves. This was vital as we had the new members, who had just joined us and it was very much essential for them to get a grip of what Thatha Ithuba is and who is the person behind it, and also to get to know the old members.

"In an attempt to ensure that our girls are atleast "safe" when walking in the streets, TI has again extended their helping hand and donated over 30 pepper sprays.

On the 7th and 8th of October 2020 we had Ignite your employability workshop with Tyrol. The aim of the workshop was to educate mentors and provide them with adequate skills to facilitate the books (that were based on how to choose a career, the essential skills that are necessary to get a job), with their mentees, by preparing them well for the future and making sure that they choose the correct career path that resonates well with them.

The Career Expo is an event that gives students and working professionals a chance to meet one another, discuss possible career options and hopefully network and establish helpful relationships. This year’s event was a huge success. We witnessed an increase in overall attendance and an increasing amount of positive feedback from attendees and speakers.

For the start of the new year we organized a special experience for the mentors and mentees: An afternoon on the farm of Glodin with horses, archery and lots of fun!

Melikhaya Mdubeki, graduated from CPUT with a qualification in Business and Management Sciences!

"Dear Melikaya

What a day. After such a painfull month and a hard year you reached for the star and you got it. Well done. You can be so proud. We are proud! Good to have you in our team.

Stay strong, keep on walking and rock it!"

The crew has set itself the goal to organize a leadership workshop this year. The workshop took place over three Saturdays and was a complete success. Thanks Ben for your commitment!

Go Guys: Let's lead not follow!

Date:  24. – 26. April 2019

Number of Mentors: 17

Number of Mentees: 23

Topics: Health, Trauma, Self Care, Self-Developement (Time Management), Year planning

Facilitator: Candice Winterboer, Live Coach

Today we had the privilege of attending a self defense workshop that aims to empower women and provide practical training on how we can protect ourselves from getting raped and attacked.

The purpose of this event was achieved, the members seemed to have enjoyed it. The members were taken out of their comfort zone by ensuring that every member participated in the playing of games. This was the first Fellowship we have ever had and it went accordingly.

By Naydia: The long anticipated 13th of July had finally arrived and we were ready to work. Unlike previous ones, this Thatha Ithuba conference was held over two days. 6th Spin Street, Cape Town CBD was our arrival point where the Kuhn’s and Gina were waiting patiently for all of us to arrive. As soon as we arrived we were met with breakfast, expectation and slight pressure because of the work we knew lay ahead.

The speakers for the Career Expo 2018 came from various backgrounds, but they all had a common goal - which was to change the life of a child in Imizamo Yethu. The purpose of these Career Expos is to inspire the pupils to dream bigger, to encourage hard work and to transform their lives, in spite of their challenges.

Saturday, 12th April 2018 - What an amazing experience for our mentees: UCT open days organized through their mentors - yeahhh.

African Sprit

Guest Speaker: Africa Melane, Mama Thoko Ntshinga, Chrystal Davids

One of the conclusions after the first year of the program is to select younger (Grade
9 and 11) and dedicated learners. It was decided to select Grade 8 resp 10 learners
from Hout Bay and Silikamva High School

On the 16th of October, Silikamva High School held its second valedictory ceremony in the six years of its establishment. The spacious Kronendal Primary School hall was the venue of choice. The great achievements of the previous year’s students set the bar high, the current matriculants had big shoes to fill. The room buzzed with excitement; from students who had worked hard all year long, proud teachers, as well as parents who had witnessed their children give it their all.

On Wednesday 05 July 2017 the second Thatha Ithuba Camp took the Hout Bay Rotaractors, and their mentees, on a retreat-like camp at the beautiful Bhodi Ikhaya Retreat near Stanford. We settled in comfortably into the homely accommodation, heaters and warm blankets to combat the winter chill. For a second there, we thought we were on a getaway.