By Nothando Yolanda Tshuma
On 17 July 2024, the Vulindlela Programme at Rhodes University took a significant step towards enhancing educational access by distributing SD cards to Grade 11 and Grade 12 learners at Mary Waters Secondary School. This initiative is part of a broader campaign aimed at providing every child in Makhanda with the opportunity to receive a quality education. Recognizing the importance of accessible learning resources, the SD cards are preloaded with relevant study materials tailored to each learner’s subjects. This thoughtful customization ensures that learners have the specific resources they need to succeed in their academic pursuits.
The initiative is a collaborative effort involving several dedicated individuals. Among those who contributed to loading the SD cards are Aphiwe Teyise, Zukhanye Dikana, Kamvelihle Gule and Anele Hloyi, along with other committed members of the team who are part of the Social Employment Fund (SEF). Their combined efforts reflect a strong commitment to supporting the educational journey of Makhanda’s youth. By providing these valuable resources, the Vulindlela Programme is not only addressing immediate educational needs but also fostering a culture of learning and academic excellence in the community.
The process of preparing the SD cards involved first downloading educational materials from the internet, which were then categorized based on the subjects tailored to each child’s curriculum.
According to Teyise, “Loading one SD card typically takes around 30 minutes, meaning we can manage to load two SD cards within an hour.”
Dikana shared his perspective on participating in this initiative, emphasizing how it allows him to give back to the community that once supported him. He expressed a deep-rooted desire to witness transformative changes within the education system of Makhanda.
In an interview with Grocott’s Mail, Thandie Nqowana, coordinator of the Vulindlela Programme, highlighted its long-term goal of overcoming challenges through unified efforts within the Makhanda and Rhodes University communities. “This programme serves as a platform for collaboration, where the community comes together to support one another,” she stated. She underscored the profound impact of witnessing the joy on children’s faces when they receive the essential learning resources, describing it as the driving force behind the programme’s ongoing success.
“Despite grappling with insufficient SD cards and computers needed to effectively load these educational materials, those involved in the programme remain resolute in their commitment to ensure no child is left behind. Their dedication reflects a collective determination to overcome obstacles and create meaningful change within their community.”
Nqowana aims to reach out to a broader audience and collaborate within the community of Makhanda. According to Nqowana, “In the long run, we aim to deliver these resources each year and also to not only focus on the higher grades but to also support the pupils in the foundation phase.”
Among the 33 grade 11 lfearners, 28 received SD cards and out of the 137 grade 12 learners, 135 received SD cards. Simamkele Magida, Athule Sami, and Inathi Stof, grade 12 pupils of Mary Waters, shared their excitement, stating, “This is possibly our start to educational success and achieving greater results as we are looking into going to university in the upcoming year.”
