STEPHEN LANGTRY

UNIVERSITY of Cape Town (UCT) student Sarah Nzeka will graduate with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Chemical Engineering on 29 March 2022 after registering at UCT for the first time in 2012. The journey to graduation day has not been easy.

Sarah succeeded in completing a tough academic programme. On the road to graduation, she survived isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic, financial exclusion, a violent physical attack and the death of her father. With her undergraduate studies behind her, she said, “I’m not limiting myself.”

Sarah, who is from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, first came to Cape Town in 2006. She enrolled at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) where she studied for three years and completed a national diploma in chemical engineering. “I was a top student in my department. That opened the door for me to get a bursary to further my studies [towards a BSc in Chemical Engineering] at UCT,” she said.

“I was excited and [looked] forward to a great journey,” Sarah said. But she found the transition to UCT challenging. The pace was different, and she also registered late and missed orientation and the first few weeks of classes.

“I didn’t know how to find resources and lecture venues. What seemed to be minor challenges ended up becoming bigger problems because I was always late. I struggled to adequately fit into the environment.”

As a result, she had poor results at the end of the first year and her scholarship was not renewed after the second year.

She then had to find part-time jobs to supplement the financial support that she received from her family in order to continue studying. But, the added burden of part-time jobs meant that she had less time to concentrate on her studies. “My focus was divided,” she said. “It was a continuous cycle. But I was determined to get my degree.”

Going back home

In 2014, Sarah was the victim of a terrible assault. She was attacked and thrown from a moving train. She sustained serious injuries, which included a fractured skull and impaired hearing. She was confined to bed for a month and continued experiencing anxiety, excruciating headaches and fatigue long after getting back on her feet.

She returned to university at the start of the next semester. In consultation with the department, her academic workload was reduced. “I wasn’t happy about that,” she said.

In 2017, she was financially excluded from UCT. “The major blow in 2017 was that in November I lost my dad [who was in the DRC],” she said. “Very quickly things spiralled downwards. Life became very gloomy for me, and I didn’t see a future for me here. At that point, I decided to go back home.”

While in the DRC, she became determined to continue working towards her dream of obtaining a degree. She returned to South Africa in 2018 but because of outstanding fee debt she could not re-register at UCT. She found part-time jobs to support herself and carried on searching for sponsorship to cover her fee debt.

During the time she lived in Cape Town, Sarah had approximately 10 different jobs. She was a  waitress, taught English online, did transcribing and translating from English to French, worked as a babysitter, and as a computer lab assistant. She also worked at a guesthouse as a night assistant manager, which meant that she often left campus to go to work.

In 2019, with the help of her family members, she was able to clear her fee debt and re-registered to continue her degree programme. In 2020, she was introduced to Professor Alphose Zingoni, the director of the Klaus-Jürgen Bathe (KJB) Leadership Programme who provided financial assistance. She received once-off support from the KJB programme, which covered her tuition fees. She still had to continue with part-time work in order to meet her other needs.

The pandemic strikes

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit South Africa and the rest of the world, Sarah struggled to adapt to online learning and her anxiety levels were heightened by the social isolation. She passed some of her courses at the end of 2020. She was grateful that UCT allowed students to register in 2021 without having to pay the full amount.

She expressed appreciation for the support that she received from her family. She had never planned with them that she would come to UCT after completing her national diploma at CPUT. Originally from Lubumbashi in the DRC, it was her mother, in particular, who encouraged her to pursue further studies. In her community, education was not seen as a priority for women and girls; however, her three older sisters all furthered their education in Namibia.

Sarah is passionate about science and was grateful for the support systems in the Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment (EBE) and the Department of Chemical Engineering. Mary Hilton, from EBE, provided a shoulder to lean on and directed Sarah towards several options including KJB Leadership Programme.

Sarah is also grateful for Professor Harro von Blottnitz who provided practical advice in his capacity as the fourth-year student advisor, and who in conjunction with Hilton, Heydenrych and Associate Professor Dave Wright continuously offered guidance in her final year.

She acknowledged the support offered throughout her journey by many other figures at UCT, such as Bridgette Cloete, Dr Pieter Levecque, Dr Siew Tai, Gabrielle Nudelman, and her research project supervisors, Dr Mariette Smart and Associate Professor Kirsten Corin. Sarah also received a lot of assistance from UCT’s Careers Service, her tutors, and her friends at UCT. Her church community was also a great source of encouragement.

She is excited about the next chapter in her life. Sarah loves the DRC and sees the potential to apply there what she learnt in her undergraduate studies. But she is not limiting her choices.

“South Africa has become a second home for me. Opportunities may arise here or elsewhere,” she added. She expressed her passion for environmental sustainability where companies think beyond making profits and also preserve the environment. “I draw inspiration from the words of Banksy,” she said, “‘If you are tired, learn to rest – not to quit.’”

– UCT News

WENDY MOTHATA|

THE Section27 on Thursday took the Department of Basic Education to court for failing learners who survived sexual assault.

Section27 represents the Teddy Bear Clinic for Abused Children and the parents of two learners who were sexually assaulted while at school. The matter is on the unopposed roll at the High Court of South Africa North West Division, Mafikeng, North West.

One learner was allegedly raped by a school caretaker in 2015. Two years later, the same caretaker allegedly sexually assaulted that learner’s younger sibling.

Section27’s Patience Phiri said: “For years, no action was taken against the perpetrator, who continued to be employed by the School Governing Body (SGB) at the school and therefore continued to pose a risk to other learners at the school.”

“The parents of the learner reported the rape of their child to the school principal, but the alleged perpetrator was not disciplined or suspended. Because of this inaction, the same caretaker continued preying on minors and sexually assaulted their other child. The parents of the learners also tried to report this to the school, with no success,” said Phiri.

The 2019 Protocol for the Management and Reporting of Sexual Abuse and Harassment in
Schools states that school officials have a duty to report any suspected incident of sexual abuse
or harassment immediately.

However, Section27 said in a statement: “At all levels of the education system, authorities failed these
two learners. Section27 believes that the education authorities breached their constitutional
obligations to respect, protect, promote and fulfil the learners’ constitutional rights and the
obligation to act in the best interests of children.”
 
– Inside Education

TWO teachers were killed by a student at a high school in southern Sweden, police said Tuesday.

The 18-year-old student was arrested at the scene on Monday in Malmo, Sweden’s third-largest city. The victims were two women in their 50s, police said.

The suspect wasn’t previously known to the police and had no criminal record, and police didn’t disclose how the teachers were killed. A motive hasn’t been established.

“For now it is far too early to comment on that,” Malmo Police Chief Petra Stenkula told a news conference.

She said officers arrived and found the suspect and two victims on the third floor of the downtown Malmo Latin School 10 minutes after they were alerted, adding that the situation was then “under control.”

Stenkula didn’t confirm a report by the Aftonbladet newspaper, saying the male student himself called authorities to say he had killed two people, had put down his weapons and was on the third floor.

Police made “seizures” and a forensic examination “will allow us to better understand what happened,” Stenkula said, adding authorities have no information of any further injuries.

Police said they were called at 5:12 p.m. Monday. Scores of ambulances and patrol cars rushed to the school and armed police were seen entering the building, which was cordoned off.

Students at the school, which has about 1,100 students, had gathered to work on a musical and students locked themselves inside classrooms.

Sweden’s Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson said she reacted “with sadness and dismay” to the killings, according to the Swedish news agency TT.

All classes were suspended Tuesday and the school was closed.

The killings took place in a modern annex of the school, which was founded in 1406 when the pope issued a letter of privilege allowing for its construction and operation. It was originally meant to educate local youth on Christian doctrine and the Latin language.

AP

CYRIL RAMAPHOSA|

LAST week, government concluded the auction of high demand spectrum for mobile telecommunications. This is a significant milestone in our reform agenda, which will, as we have said before, drive growth and transformation in our economy. 

The licensing of spectrum is one of the major reforms that we are implementing to modernise and transform key network industries such as energy, telecommunications, transport and water provision. Already much progress has been made in creating new opportunities for investment in electricity generation, freight rail and ports, and in improving the management and quality of the country’s water resources.

The licensing of this new spectrum will be accompanied by agreed social obligations to connect public schools, health facilities and police stations over the next three years. Like the mineral wealth that lies beneath our soil, radio spectrum is a valuable national resource that needs to be used for the benefit of all South Africans.

Through its data services market inquiry in December 2019, the Competition Commission found that the cost of data in South Africa was considerably higher than in many other countries. The spectrum release is expected to reduce the cost of mobile data, expand network reach to rural and outlying areas, and improve network quality.

Every South African who uses a mobile device will feel the benefits of this reform, especially the poor and those who currently don’t access the internet due to high costs or a lack of coverage.

Expanding digital access is critical for economic growth. Cheaper data means that young people will have greater access to digital platforms to seek job opportunities online. Students will be able to access information and educational materials. Entrepreneurs will be able to start businesses and reach new markets.

Equally, the availability of this spectrum will contribute to economic transformation.

It will allow many more people, especially those from remote areas and poor communities, to access digital resources and will improve their ability to participate in economic activity. 

The use of this spectrum will also enable the rollout of 5G networks.

These 5G networks will accelerate the process towards universal connectivity – where all South Africans are connected – and the deployment of the digital technologies and services that are driving the fourth industrial revolution.

This is a crucial step to bring South Africa back to the cutting edge of digital technology and ensure that our economy remains competitive.

Over the last year, the process of switching from analogue to digital broadcasting has gathered pace and will soon be completed. Digital migration will also free up valuable radio frequency spectrum currently used by broadcasters to be used in the provision of mobile broadband services and other applications.

The switch to digital improves the TV watching experience, with many more channels and better quality picture and sound.

Digital migration will enable a massive leap forward in South Africa’s technological development. For poor households that are currently using an old analogue television, government is providing subsidised set-top boxes to help them make this switch.

The auction of spectrum is an important achievement. It was delayed for many years due to the policy drift, state incapacity and vested interests that were a feature of the era of state capture. The fact that we have now completed this process reflects the determination of this administration to undertake – and accelerate – the far-reaching reforms that our economy needs to grow and create jobs.

The auction of spectrum is one of the priority reforms included in Operation Vulindlela, which is working with government departments to accelerate the implementation of important reforms to support economic growth. By putting in place dedicated capacity to deliver on reforms, and focusing on the most important priorities, Operation Vulindlela has helped us to make real progress in a short space of time. 

We are determined that South Africa must not be left behind by the digital economy, just as we are determined that no community and no person should be left behind in experiencing the vast benefits of being digitally connected to the world.

From the desk of the President

THE University of Cape Town (UCT) Council has agreed, in principle, to divestment from fossil fuels, including divesting its endowment formally from the fossil fuel industry.

This approach will put back into society, the environment and the global economy more than is being taken out, the council says.

This decision will be executed in a responsible, transitional manner. Firstly, through the immediate divestment from internationally exposed fossil fuel investments and immediate investment in renewable energy and/or green economy instead of new investments in fossil fuels

Secondly, in the local economy, UCT will work towards achieving a goal of being net-positive by 2030.

By divesting from fossil fuels, the university is further amplifying its position and signalling to policy makers the need to act now on climate change.

“This decision by the council exemplifies the university’s deep commitment to promoting the development and use of clean, sustainable and renewable energy. It is also part of how we make long-term investment decisions that support our teaching and research mandate as a university, says UCT finance executive director Vincent Motholo.

“We do not believe investments in fossil fuel are prudent. With the growing threat of climate change to the environment, drastic actions are needed and UCT needs to be part of the climate crisis solution.”

The decision by the university is a commitment to long-term sustainability, and part of its Vision 2030. It is part of a bigger vision, process and journey to look at how UCT can be more sustainable.

The university is joining many organisations in looking at its investments carefully and how it can continue the commitment to social justice, responsible investing and environmental sustainability.

– Engineering News

THE Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation in partnership with the Gauteng Department of Education have introduced a new indicator, the schools Wednesday Integrated Programme (WIP) for Sports, Arts and Culture, affectionately referred to as the “Wednesday League”.

The Central Corridor instalment of the Schools Wednesday Integrated Programme Launch took place on Tuesday last week at the Moletsane Sports Complex in Soweto.

The programme consisted of several exciting activities and entertainment such as a live band and a special performance by Yanga Chief as well as a special guest appearance from Lebo “Shugasmakx” Mothibe, best known as the co-founder and star of iconic hip-hop brand Skwatta Kamp.

The event was also graced by some of South Africa’s renowned legends such as Kaizer Chiefs attacking mid-fielder Lebogang Manyama, Ramehlwe Mphahlela, Kaizer Chiefs Defender, Manti Moholo, former Orlando Pirates player as well as Siboniso Pa Gaxa, former Bafana Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs Defender, the presence of these amazing soccer stars served as great inspiration for the students who look up to them.

The programme kicks off with an inclusion of arts and culture activities simultaneously implemented in schools and is aimed at establishing a vibrant hype of activities in form of school leagues and festivals championed from all the no-fee-paying schools across the Gauteng province.

The programme will be implemented in 1270 no-fee paying schools in the Gauteng province during the Mid-term period.

381 schools have already benefitted in the initial stages of the programme and 410 schools will be supported in the 2022/23 financial year.

The Arts and Culture unit also has schools that are supported under this programme.

The department said it intends to host an integrated launch at a Provincial scale with subsequent Wednesday League Launch Corridor Roadshows which will kick-start the awareness for the Netball World Cup that will be hosted in South Africa in 2023.

This will also assist the department in rolling out the integrated Sport and Arts and Culture programmes in schools during the 2022/2023 FY and beyond.

– Inside Education

COMPUTERS play an integral part in nearly every aspect of our lives, including a vital role in education.

Almost every aspect of our lives is impacted by computer innovation. It is a necessary part of everyone’s school curriculum in today’s society.

According to CTE Solutions, the report was produced after in-depth research by their experts. The report’s primary focus is on how computers help in the education process. The new article further sheds light on the benefits of computer education. The experts in the report explained the role of computer technology in changing and advancing education. The report was published as part of their regular research on computer technology. For more information on computer technology and its advancement, readers can visit their page: https://www.ctesolutions.com/how-fast-is-computer-technology-advancing/.

“Computers have revolutionized the way of study, making education more efficient. Through it, we can access different sources that offer different perspectives on a particular topic. The way computers have transformed how we work & learn has no doubt helped the education world. This publication analyzes how computers can help students and teachers learn new skills & abilities in education. It helps to provide a better understanding of how technology can benefit the educational sector,” said Lester Brock, editor-in-chief of CTE Solutions’ website.

Since the company’s launch, CTE Solutions has provided an extensive library of online resources on technological advancements. The site aims to help people understand and integrate these technologies into their lives by delivering information, advice, research, reviews, comparisons, analyses, and practical tips on technological innovations, their use, features, pros, and cons. It also features tech companies, from news and reviews to industry insights. Readers can learn more about information technology in society by visiting their page: https://www.ctesolutions.com/information-technology-in-society/.

Brock said, “Our mission is to provide the best resources to help anyone advance themselves in the tech world.” According to CTE Solutions, readers need to be informed on tech advancements to keep up with the fast-paced, high-tech world.

– Digital Journal

THE Minister of International Cooperation, Rania A. Al-Mashat began her visit to the Assiut Governorate by touring a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) School, which comes within the framework of bilateral cooperation between Egypt and the United States of America.

During the visit, the Minister was accompanied by Major General Essam Saad, the Governor of Assiut.   

The school is one of the STEM schools implemented in partnership with the USAID, within the Basic Education Agreement amounting to $124 million since 2014.

This is implemented in coordination with the Ministry of Education and Technical Education, aiming to ensure educated, and skilled youth who can meet the demands of a dynamic labor market.  

Al-Mashat stressed the importance of partnerships with the USA and the USAID, to support the development efforts implemented in Egypt across sectors.

The Ministry of International Cooperation is working on establishing the new 2021 – 2025 strategy with the USAID to build on the efforts achieved in the last period in different areas including; SMEs, education, gender equality, and youth empowerment. 

The Minister added that the STEM schools project is being implemented in 11 governorates across the country, as 18 schools were implemented within the framework of cooperation between Egypt and the USA, benefiting over 5,000 students in its first phase.  

Al-Mashat explained that STEM schools play a key role in accelerating the Government of Egypt’s efforts to enhance investment in human capital in cooperation with development partners, so as to prepare the youth for the demands of a dynamic labor market. 

In 2021, Egypt concluded development financing agreements worth $2.47 billion in terms of investing in human capital in sectors such as, food security, health, basic and higher education, and SMEs.  

To ensure the sustainability of the project, and to provide qualified instructors to work in STEM schools, a one-year diploma and 4-year university program was established in 5 public universities, including Assiut University, to prepare teachers specialized in science, technology, engineering and mathematics to be able to lead the educational process in STEM schools.  

Last November, Egypt and the USAID signed 7 grant agreements worth $25 million within the framework of joint economic relations between both countries, thus enhancing development cooperation in several fields, in line with the country’s 2030 Vision.

The signed agreements allocate $17 million to the sector of basic education; $31 million to the U.S.-Egypt Higher Education Initiative (HEI); $4 million to U.S-Egyptian cooperation in the sector of science and technology; $27 million to economic governance; $5 million to agriculture and rural development; and $28 million to bolstering trade and investment in Egypt.  

It is worth noting that the current portfolio of cooperation with the USAID amounted to about $1 billion at the end of 2021, and the current portfolio of development cooperation in the education and technical education sector amounted to about $684 million.

South Africans, especially young South Africans, are drowning in debt. According to the latest figures from the South African Reserve Bank, South Africans are spending more than 75% of their take-home income on debt.

Leana de Beer, CEO of WaFunda, a for-profit social impact enterprise focusing on financial literacy and access to education funding for youth and students, said: “Many South Africans are not making ends meet, the prevalence of illicit loans from illegal micro financiers, or abo mashonisa, is high. Local loan sharks are notorious for their exorbitant interest rates and brutally coercive extortion for repayments.”

Blackbullion South Africa is a new digital platform offering financial education for South African students.

De Beer explained that it was adapted for the local market from an award-winning international platform used by some 700 000 students and trusted by more than 40 university and college partners across the UK, Australia and New Zealand.

An important part of Blackbullion South Africa’s content development and localisation process involves discussions and focus groups with students to ensure the content is accessible and relevant for a local audience.

“Blackbullion South Africa takes the form of multimedia content streams, convenient lessons, quizzes, videos and articles, all structured into modules across personalised learning pathways,” she explained.

The platform takes a holistic approach to financial well-being without promoting any specific bank, product or service, De Beer said. “Instead it encourages the shifts in behaviour that will drive our future leaders towards financial success.”

“Through working with the private sector bursary providers, our goal is to bring long-term benefits, arming bursary beneficiaries with the latest tools and best practices for money management. Our view is that while we believe access to education should be democratised, we should also enhance access to financial literacy programmes to enable overall improved quality of life for students and youth,” she said.

Financial literacy will allow young people to assess what is important to them and help them gain the courage and confidence to attain professional fulfilment.

– Inside Education

ON this day in 1960, during a demonstration against the apartheid regime’s pass laws in Sharpeville in the Vaal Region, 69 people were murdered and 180 were injured.

This year, President Cyril Ramaphosa opened the Reagile Library in Koster in the North West, where he also delivered a keynote address.

He said over the past 28 years, the country has made significant progress in tackling poverty and deprivation. 
“We have built houses, hospitals and clinics. We have implemented universal basic education and free higher education. The vast majority of our people have access to decent water, sanitation and electricity in their homes,” said Ramaphosa.
 
“Society’s most vulnerable are supported by an extensive social welfare system.”

Ramaphosa also called for an end to hate crimes and discrimination against the LGBTQI-plus community.

Members of the community are often targets for crime, and face ridicule when going to the police.

Inside Education asked some of young people in the country about what Human Rights Day means – and if it still has relevance to them.

Dimpho Manthoadi, second year student at Varsity College in Pretoria.
“Human rights day used to be just a public holiday for me. I knew that on the 21st of March I have a day
away from school until I started reflecting on what human rights are and that opened my mind to a
world I never knew existed. From unfair treatment because of race or gender by peers, to even people
from high authority violating the rights of human beings. I do believe this day has lost its meaning because of the way the world works now versus how it used to be back then. We grew up knowing legends like Steve Biko and mama Winnie Mandela fought for our rights so that history doesn’t have to repeat itself. But it seems as though the vision our heroes had for our nation has failed because it’s not just unfair treatment towards people of colour and women but
now children are suffering there’s individuals out there that are violating their rights and they are the future of our nation but the people that are meant to protect these children aren’t. We have police officers that are meant to protect us but are violating our rights instead.”

Kutlwano Mothibedi, Grade12 learner at Sebetwane Secondary School in North West.
“Human Rights Day means every individual have rights, and rights go hand in hand with responsibilities.
These are the rights that every individual is entitled to, no matter who or what they are as long as they
live. People’s rights are still being violated, for example 1. right to health they are still denied services and
information about health. 2. The right to work, now you’re forced to vaccinate for you to be able to
work. 3. The right to life, people been killed.”

Theresa Ditlhobolo journalism graduate from Centurion.
“Human Rights for me means that I have a right to life, right to freedom. I have a right to dignity, culture
and to use my language freely. Human rights Day is a reminder to me that innocent people were killed
and wounded so I can move freely in Our Country.
No, the day has meaning and still will be, just that people shift the meaning of the day to what they
want.”

Dineo Maphoto, Grade 11 learner from Mohlapetse High School in Limpopo.
“Human Rights Day means that as a young person I have the right to education shelter, protection and to
be free in my country. However, our rights are always violated especially in schools where there’s always
racial issues. The day has lost meaning, like today I will be busy watching movies. The government does not do
enough to educate us about Human Rights Day.”