By: Tony Manyangadze

‘Placing time where the mouth is’.

This is what the Journalismiziko Editorial Team set out to do about two months ago when they launched a tutorial programme at iLanga High School that ended last week.

“It’s high time we stopped blaming the government for our education system. We need to take it upon ourselves to bring about the change that we want and need…This is one of the reasons why the JournalismIziko’s editorial team embarked on a mentorship and tutorial relationship with the matriculants of iLanga High School,” said Maud Blose, Journalism Programme Coordinator at the Durban Univeristy of Technolgy.

The Matric student’s at the school sacrificed at least three hours of their Friday afternoons to attain more knowledge on the English language through tutorials. A very rare achievement it was, frankly, to cultivate learners to stick around after classes.

The turnout was just astonishing. At least 100 students pitched up per every session. Majority of them really understood and comprehended the value of these tutorials since they are about to sit for their final exams.

“I have learnt a lot about essays. I now understand better things I didn’t know,” said Nonhle Simalane, one of the Matric students at iLanga High School.

Another learner at the school, Mbusi Zondo wishes that such tutorial initiatives should be implemented not only at their school but also schools in the rural areas.

“It’s the last day but I feel the tutorials should continue. You guys (JournalismIziko team) must go to all the areas in KwaZulu-Natal, helping students in their studies even in the rural areas,” he said.

Most teachers at the school have welcomed the idea and are already seeing the fruits of the tutorials. Mr Kenneth Khoza, who is the Languages Head of Department, commended the tutorial initiative. He said that not only have the learners gained academically but they have also been inspired by the team of tutors.

“The tutorials are a good thing, most of the students are excited and most of them have been inspired by the JournalismIziko team’s presence. The tutors are young and almost the learners’ ages so it inspires them to be taught by their peers who are at university.”

Dale Munatswa, a second year journalism student and JournalismIziko’s Multimedia Section editor, who was one of the tutors had the best time with the learners. “It was enjoyable, enlightening and exciting. The students were filled with great enthusiasm, I also learnt from them,” said Munatswa.

JournalismIziko upcoming event at iLanga High School: Poster Designed By: Nathi Ngubane

To round it all up, the JournalismIziko team is putting together yet another event to be held on August 30, 2013 also at iLanga High school.

The main attraction of the day will see learners participating in a going-green fashion show dubbed Mr & Miss Save The Environment. Grade eight classes up to grade 11 will be showcasing garments made from recyclable material. The winners will be given prizes courtesy of JournalismIziko.

JournalismIiziko’s Chief Editor and the organiser of the event, Maud Blose said, “The upcoming event is a way that we as the editorial team thought of to engage with the learners from grades 8 – 11. The Going Green event is an edutainment type of event that will both entertain and educate learners about the environment and how best we can sustain it.”

All roads now lead to iLanga High School for Friday’s event. Entry is absolutely free for all the learners and invited guests.