THE RISE OF ONLINE LEARNING DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

By: Ethel Malatji

Email: ethelsiphiwe@gmail.com

University is a place where students live and study close proximately to each other. They are buzzing cultural hubs where students are brought together from nations around the world. Recently, the foundation of this unique ecosystem has been impacted significantly by the rapid spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak, regarding the implications for higher education.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the education sector in South Africa, as universities across the country shut down, leaving many students feeling vulnerable.

When the pandemic hit and countries began to go into lockdown, our university quickly moved to a fully online delivery model. However, the obvious and immediate challenge we faced was student connectivity. Many of our students, even those in urban centers, struggled with data access for them to fully participate in their online learning.

Though the university designed our system to be asynchronous, meaning students could log in and participate in their own time, connectivity was still a challenge. Some of our students could only log on late at night during off-peak hours. Others live in areas where connectivity is inaccessible due to cost issues. Others struggled to get access to the internet at all. 

Some universities have gone as far as to deliver devices, tablets or smartphones, to their students at home to enable them to continue to engage online. Many institutions gave students data bundles so that connectivity would not be an issue or major obstacle to their continuing to learn.

The move to online learning has affected not just libraries, they have worked hard to put in place extra online study support. Where access to libraries is still possible, they have been made as safe as possible for borrowers online learning also affected examinations, as universities worked hard on putting in place viable alternatives to on-site exams. 

This has raised many issues, on how to ensure that different assessment methods can be introduced in ways that assess students fairly, without detriment to their performance. Universities have tried to embrace these changes as quickly as they could, without sacrificing quality and fairness for speed of implementation.

“Online learning was stressful, it forced us to adapt to working independently and it had its struggles because some are from rural areas, and we missed online classes due to network in the rural. Online learning had a negative impact because most of our practicals were converted to theory”, said Itumeleng Mokoena, a student

Oratile Kekana said that, as a first-year university student last year, COVID-19 affected her badly because she was used to studying traditionally rather than doing things online. So online was a challenge as she couldn’t manage to attend some of my classes due to technical issues.

“It was hard at first, I couldn’t find my balance between studying and having time away from my books, so I tried so hard to balance everything that was going on in my life at that time, made a timetable with everything that I had to do daily”, added Matshidiso Selebeleng.

 

 

 

 

 

CCT RESIDENCE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AWARDS

 

By: Ethel Malatji

Email: ethelsiphiwe@gmail.com

“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today”, these are the words of Malcolm X, students residing at CCT residence Tshwane University of Technology North campus were awarded trophies and certificates for their outstanding 2021 academic year performance. The ceremony was held at TCE hall within the campus, by the CCT management.

image: CCT students

The award ceremony is one of the leading events at our campus, hosted every year for all the CCT residence students. These awards are given out so that it can be a reminder that university does not have to be a student’s nightmare. It is important to acknowledge and celebrate the effort and dedication made by students in their work. This was presented as a token of appreciation from the management and as an encouragement to those who didn’t get anything.

It was a night of glitz and glamour at the North campus hall, where students came in numbers to celebrate and witness the achievements of other students. The photographers were also present to capture every memory of that day, A DJ was made available to cheer up the audience with good music. The residence manager gave a speech and welcomed everyone for making time to come to the event.

image: TUT Gospel chior

The place was overcrowded, and people were fully excited to see who had won an award. The event was exciting as there were different performers, such as the campus gospel choir, a poet, and a group of dancers. After their performance students who have won.
Their names were called to the front to collect their award, starting from the top one to the top three. It was a great moment for everyone who has done well to achieve an award. The best achiever was given two certificates and a trophy and in the end, the residence assistant Mrs. Maheya gave a word of encouragement to the first years and those that didn’t win. Pictures were taken and it was all fun. 

Reagile Makwela a 22-year-old top archiver integrated communications student said, “she just got an award, and it really shows that hard work really pays, she continued saying that everyone out there should take their school work seriously and nothing is impossible as you can achieve your dreams if you study hard.

Tebogo Maheya, CCT student assistant said, “those that didn’t get any award, should work hard next time, and put more effort into your studies.  She was very happy with the award”.

Mr. Achi, CCT residence manager said that he was very happy for those who have won, and it’s good that they have won, they are going to encourage those who didn’t get anything so that next year will have a new group to celebrate”.

There is a famous quote that says, “True education reveals self-potential more than just sows ideas”, CCT residence students proved that with education and hard work, everyone can achieve anything. The event was productive and inspiring because it set an example of the good things people are here for. 

The ceremony was all about empowering and pushing students, more especially first-year students to work hard and not settle for anything less than 50 percent but aim for good grades. The students supported each other as they were cheering up everyone who made it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SOUTH AFRICAN STICK FIGHTING INTONGA RISING UP

By: Ethel Malatji

Email: ethelsiphiwe@gmail.com

A traditional form of stick fighting born of cattle herders in South Africa, is becoming a hit in townships. The game called Intonga used to be a rite of passage for young, rural Xhosa boys but it is now being used to keep teenagers away from gang violence and drugs. This game is not only educational but also honors our preservation skills.

photo of: zulu men fighting stick

This is a martial art traditionally practiced by teenagers and herd boys, Intonga is one of the very first sports in Africa to be initiated by Africans and it is practiced in Africa from Ethiopia to the Cape, but the rules differ.  

The sport of stick fighting is unique to the Xhosa tribe. When a Xhosa boy goes to initiation school, one of the skills he works on is of stick fighting. It is an ancient African art of deep cultural significance. A young Xhosa man who carries himself well with the stick gains a lot of respect. Former president Nelson Mandela, a Xhosa man, born and raised in the Eastern Cape was also taught Intonga by herd boys. He later wrote about this game in his book Long Walk to Freedom.

Zulus also practice Intonga as a way of entertainment. It is their custom that at a wedding, warriors from the bridegrooms" welcome warriors from the brides’ side to meet to get to know each other. Other groups of warriors are welcome to join in. Each combatant is armed with a long stick, one which is used for defense and the other for offense. Warriors do this by engaging in combat with one another. It is all in the name of good fun and building respect amongst warriors.

picture of :girls stick fighting

The ancient art of Intonga is now making a comeback in Cape town. A dozen clubs have sprung up, contests with prizes money up to R1000 rand are held most weekends.

Intonga stick fighting (photo Anders kelto)

“It reminds me of our old days when we were at home, the guys are not fighting really, they are just performing. The object is for two opposing warriors to fight each other to establish which of them is the strongest or the “Bull” (inkunzi). It’s a game they learned from their fathers and forefathers”, said Officer Nkosinathi Majola.

A 22 years old Nipho from the Department of Education said that Intonga fulfils an important role and cultural functions. It teaches discipline and focus. Growing up taking part in it has been a great experience and a way of respecting the culture.

Intonga is not something that has died out but something that we should be proud of as Africans and encourage young people to participate in it to become professional athletes.

 

 

 

 

TIK TOKER PRIDES HIMSELF WITH HIS MOTHER’S TONGUE

By: Ethel Malatji

Email: ethelsiphiwe@gmail.com

"Dreams delayed are not dreams denied!" Even though the popular newsreader didn’t manage to fulfill his dreams of becoming a radio broadcaster due to lack of funds, he managed to approach his dream in a different direction.

Molope Mokwana Petrus (29) who hails from Polokwane ga Molepo Molelemane, and is famously known as “Smonamonane ntwa swikiri”, is a young vibrant Sepedi best content creator on Tik Tok, he is an influencer, master of ceremonies (MC) and currently featured at Energy FM doing news updates on the lunch plug show with the former Thobela FM presenter.

image: Facebook

Dropping out of varsity (TUT) didn’t stop Smonamonane from chasing his dream of being a Radio broadcaster, he went on to volunteer at Tshepo FM community Radio station because of the love and passion he had for Radio. Working without getting any pay was hard for him as he had a family to provide for, but it helped him gain more experience on how radio operates, and how to survive in the entertainment industry and groomed him to be a better newsreader than he is today.

When Tik Tok popularity soared during the COVID-19 pandemic, becoming the most downloaded app in the world Smonamonane saw it as an opportunity to showcase his talent to Tik Tok followers.

“I started doing TikTok in 2020 with one video that made trends, it was even shared by Julias Malema on Twitter. Then that’s what pushed me to do more videos, then I saw more people doing the same content, and that’s when I decided to do the news reading one. I wanted to give people something unique and interesting using my vernacular, and this has worked in my favor as I managed to gain so many followers as well as getting opportunities to host big events” said Smonamonane. 

One of his followers, Simon Majadibodu " said that Smonamonane is so talented and loves what he does wholeheartedly, I was so excited to do a duet with him as he's well-known and he gave me a platform to showcase my radio talent also". 

When asked what his biggest highlight has been, Smonamonane said, having to share a stage with people like Makhadzi, also given a chance to feature at Energy FM by former Thobela FM Kwenisto Makgakga as he believes in people’s talents and does not deny them opportunities when there's one. Being called in for several interviews at Thobela FM has to be the best thing ever.

"I want to see myself having my own podcast, where young people with talent like mine are allowed to embrace their potential, and my advice to the youth is to believe in your dreams and always stay true to yourself, he said.

You can watch more of his videos on TikTok at Smonamonane. 

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM AIMS TO UPLIFT AND EMPOWER LIVES

 

By:  Ethel Malatji

ethelsiphiwe@gmail.com

@siphiweEthel

 

 

Due to the deteriorating conditions and lack of digital skills at Soshanguve North, a concerned youth started a non-organization (NPO), Initiative Youth Development program (IYDP) in order to better the lives of many.

The NPO was established in April 2018 with the aim of changing the lives of Tshwane youth particularly Soshanguve.

It is an organization that is based on helping young teenagers in embracing their dreams and working toward them. IYDP assists the youth with digital information, teaches them how to apply online for jobs, universities applications and offers extra classes to learners struggling with certain subjects.

Mr. Koketso Chuma, the executive director of the organization said when they started this organization, they wanted to mentor the young ones who are still in school, in choosing subjects wisely and offers extra classes to help those struggling with certain subjects,

Captured From Facebook

Most people cannot respond to information Communication Technology (ICT) or even have access to the internet, most parents struggled over the past few years when it comes to applying for their children through the Department of Education online portal. Some even forgot their passwords, even their student portal details. We had to intervene and help them”. said Koketso Chuma.

He also added that the program has already helped over 600 students with university applications and those facing challenges with their subjects.

A student, Mandisa Mokhari said that the NPO is helpful as they helped her to get accepted at the university of Pretoria.

I was provisionally accepted, so yes the youth Development program helped me a lot and I can’t thank them enough”, Mandisa Mokhari added.

This organization wants to bring change and its goal is to see young minds excelling in their schoolwork and bringing change in the community.