Teaching the Teachers for the Future

The Realema Teacher Intern Programme was very much front and centre at the meeting last week, there by invitation of Carl Chemaly.
     Apart from Patrick Lees and Pier Myburgh, who run the programme, Carl also invited a number of high powered guests in the hope of getting them interested in becoming donors.
     New Dawn obviously hopes that some of those donations will be funnelled through the club so that the money can be used to apply for a global grant, thereby multiplying the effect.

Patrick Lees and Pier Myburgh (second from right) with the students who came to talk about their experiences

     Also there were six students who are at various stages of completing a teaching degree through Unisa. This is part of the Realema project, where underprivileged pupils who are passionate about becoming teachers, are identified at school and given the opportunity to get a degree while working at schools for a salary.

Amongst Carl's guests were Angie Chapman, Peter Raubenheimer, Lucy Gush, Peter Gush, Nick Barnes and Craig Clucas

Pier Myburgh and Carl Chemaly flank Ben Kruger and Ian Sinton, two more of Carl's guests

     Amongst the guests were Adrian Short of the catering and events company By Word of Mouth, businessman and banker Ben Kruger, recently retired CEO of Standard Bank, his brother-in-law Japie  van Niekerk, CEO of Bidvest, Craig Clucas, chairman of the investment banking group African Alliance, Ian Sinton, head of compliance at Standard Bank, Nick Barnes of Jozi Housing, Peter Raubenheimer of the Veterinary Wholesaler Lakato and Richard Gush, CEO of Merrill Lynch South who came with his wife, Lucy.
     Carl also brought his wife, Jacqui, along. She's involved in fundraising for Realema in a big way.
     Representing Realema were Patrick Lees, Pier Myburgh, Susan Crosse, Angie Chapman and Ntsiki Ndumela.
     The students were Zibula Dladla, Palesa Leta, Celiwe Magubane, Nxolisi Mangena, Siyabonga Ziqubu and Minenhle Rashama.

The Realema team consisted of St John's Prep headmaster Adriaen Lees, Pier Myburgh and Susan Crosse

     Patrick Lees told the meeting that the project had started in 2012, with the first intern starting their studies in 2014. Realema, he said, is a Sotho word meaning "to grow" or to "sow the seeds".
     By the end of this year 12 students will be graduating with another 10 entering the system next year. The plan is to expand away from an exclusively private schools ethos into former Model C state schools such as KES and Jeppe Boys and Girls High. In 2021 even more state schools will be added.
     The cost for the 10 children next year will be a whopping R2.8 million.
     He emphasised that no new student starts the course, which typically lasts four years, unless funds are guaranteed for all four years.
     Students have achieved a pass rate of 90% with well over 30% distinctions, with all the graduates finding full-time teaching positions at top schools.

Zibula Dladla, who is about to graduate

     The first of the student speakers was Zibula Dladla from Orange Farm, who proudly told the meeting that he is graduating with a B. Ed degree on 29 October. He said he had applied to all the universities to do a teaching degree whilst in Matric, but that his life had truly changed when he came across Realema, which had given him a golden opportunity.

Nxolisi Mangena has started a basketball school for underprivileged children

     Nxolisi Mangena said being a Realema teacher was a bit like being in a Superman story. You're Clark Kent when you're at university studying hard to get a degree, but like a Superman when you're at school teaching and the children look up to you.

Minenhle Rashama addressing the club and guests

     Minenhle Rashama said she would be graduating early next year and is presently busy with her final exams.
     "If it wasn't for Realema I wouldn't be in this position."
     She said the interns feel part of the teaching staff at St. John's and not just interns and would always benefit from the life skills that are part of the training process, even including how to use the correct cutlery at table and how to pour wine.

Pier Myburgh, Jacqui Myburgh and Angie Chapman

Brothers-in-law Japie van Niekerk and Ben Kruger

Tony Reddy with Jankees Sligcher and Jacqui Myburgh

Helene Bramwell brought Eileen Thornhill along as a guest

Future Rotary was represented by Adriaen Sligcher with daughter Josefien and Linda
 Vink with granddaughter Viola

President Judy Sligcher attended a meeting with fellow presidents Jean Bernardo (Rosebank), Grace van Zyl of the Johannesburg club and Monica Kiwanuka of Johannesburg North Central

     Inter-club co-operation was the order of the day at a meeting attended by the presidents of four local clubs at the Corner Café in Craighall Park, reports president Judy Sligcher. Jean Bernardo, president off the Rosebank club and former AG to New Dawn, Grace van Zyl of the Johannesburg club, the oldest on the continent of Africa and Monica Kiwanuka, who is managing to breath new life into the Johannesburg North Central club, attended.
     Part of that co-operation is the Quiz Night at the Orchards Bridge Club arranged by the Rotary Club of Johannesburg. New Dawn has taken a table, with one or two spots still available, so speak to Linda Vink if you're able to join us.
     It's on Friday 25th October.
     A Thought for the Week: The young man knows the rules, but the old man knows the exceptions. - Oliver Wendell Holmes (1809 - 1849)