Weekly Inspiration
In memory of a great South African journalist, Sandile Dikeni,
who passed away very recently, we celebrate his poem.
LOVE POEM FOR MY COUNTRY - Poem 6
Sandile Dikeni
My country is for love
so say its valleys
where ancient rivers flow
the full circle of life
under the proud eye of birds
adorning the sky.
My country is for peace
so says the veld
where reptiles caress
its surface
with elegant motions
glittering in their pride
My country
is for joy
so talk the mountains
with baboons
hopping from boulder to boulder
in the majestic delight
of cliffs and peaks
My country
is for health and wealth
see the blue of the sea
and beneath
the jewels of fish
deep under the bowels of soil
hear
the golden voice
of a miner's praise
for my country
My country
is for unity
feel the millions
see their passion
their hands are joined together
there is hope in their eyes
we shall celebrate
Grade 10 Interfaith Program
Sunday, 10th November, saw the culmination of a year long program of incredible growth and perspective gained. Five of our girls participated fully in the Marlene Silbert Interfaith Program.
The grade 10 pupils are Erin Maritz, Zoe Davids, Olwethu Zifo, Emma Sonn and Yolanda Lukhanyo. A powerful journey demystifying stereotypes, building young accountable citizens with a heart for acknowledging dignity and respect in everyone. At the year end presentation at the Civic Centre a meaningful speech was presented by a student, Mogamat Imaad Abrahams of Spine Road High in Mitchell's Plain which encapsulated the power of teaching and learning, post his tutoring experience. The Grade 10 pupils transition to a year of giving back in their commitment to joining the tutoring program at the Amy Foundation in their Grade 11 year. Hopefully our girls will have a similar experience next year.
Yolanda Lukhanyo, Erin Maritz, Ms Stubbs, Zoe Davids and Emma Sonn with Marlene Silbert. (Olwethu Zifo absent)
Mr Richardson, Erin Maritz, Yolanda Lukhanyo, Ms Stubbs, Emma Sonn and Zoe Davids . (Olwethu Zifo absent)
The Power Of Teaching
We think reading is something small. We think teaching someone to read, write or count is something so insignificant.
But as we think about it for a moment, if you are teaching a young boy or girl to read, write or count, you are not only uplifting his or her family. You are uplifting an entire community, an entire country.
You are planting a seed where there was once famine. You are helping build swings and slides where there was nothing but an empty field filled with sand. You are placing light where there was once darkness. You are replacing, what would have been a future of crime, drugs and poverty with hope, peace and tranquility. You are not only teaching, you are changing perspectives. You are helping a learner not only see a textbook filled with letters, words and difficult sums but you are helping them see a gateway filled with countless opportunities, unprecedented success and self-confidence that cannot and will not be defeated. You are placing passion and love for knowledge where there was once idle and laze for learning. You helping create great leaders where there were once mindless followers. You are helping create open mindedness, where there was once stigma and marginalization. You are helping put innovation where there was once a mindset of pessimism.
You are helping a doctor cure HIV/AIDS and cancer. You are helping a President lead his nation and a mayor run his city. You are helping an engineer design a bridge where there was once a bridge that seemed impossible to cross. You are helping a mathematician solve the problems of the millennium. You are helping a humanitarian receive a Nobel Peace Prize.
You are doing what others thought could not be done, YOU ARE CHANGING THE WORLD.
So next time you see those learners you taught, ask them how far they have come and what they are doing. For a tree cannot grow tall and steady if it's roots do not run deep and hold strong.
By Mogamat Imaad Abrahams
Spine Road High - MSIIYP Alumni