Nkomazi East

South Africa, Nkomazi East Schools Project, 2008

Based in the small town of Komatipoort on the border of Mozambique, volunteers on this project will experience the meeting of cultures and a more rural South Africa. Volunteers work in the nearby townships of Naas and Block C where they assist in local primary and combined schools (a combination of primary and secondary classes with pupils’ ages ranging from 5 - 18 years). Volunteers are based in hostel accommodation and travel to their placements from Monday to Friday by a privately hired bus. The project facilitates placements for approximately 12 volunteers and will appeal to those who want to see the less developed side of South Africa.

Komatipoort

Komatipoort is situated 87km east of Nelspruit along the N4 corridor that runs from Johannesburg to Mozambique. It is nestled between the Kruger National Park, the Mozambique border, and is also close to Swaziland, making the area something of a melting pot of cultures.  It is a small, formally white town with a rural feel. It boasts shops, a few restaurants and useful amenities such as banks, post offices, internet access and doctors’ surgeries.

 
Nkomazi East
The project operates in the townships Naas and Block C located in the Nkomazi East area, approximately 25km south-west of Komatipoort. The area has a very rural feel despite evidence of development.

 

Placements

The schools, suffering from the legacy of apartheid, are under-resourced, under-staffed and over-crowded. Teachers are forced to contend with the relatively new Outcomes Based Education system and curriculum for which they are unprepared, and lack the materials to facilitate effectively.

 
Conditions do vary from school to school, however most have the basics such as electricity, running water, tables and chairs, and some textbooks. Sanitary conditions are far from desirable and undoubtedly contribute to the poor health of many children. Classrooms can contain between forty and ninety learners, which can often be amalgamated or left unsupervised due to absent teachers.

Volunteers act as teaching assistants within the placement schools. The aim of the volunteers is to inject imagination and enthusiasm into education; provide the basis for cultural exchange; support youth issues including HIV and AIDS awareness (where requested); provide invaluable English language tuition (pupils sit exams in English despite this not being their mother tongue); utilise small group learning techniques to target those children falling behind in class; and share skills, ideas and experiences.

Though Tenteleni does not expect volunteers to teach independently some organisations do request it. However, by encouraging volunteer-staff partnerships, volunteers will have a more sustainable impact. After school, volunteers will aim to initiate or assist with existing extra-curricular activities such as sport, music, art and drama.
 

Tenteleni has volunteers in the following school placements:
·              Ingwenyama Combined School (2 volunteers)
·              Maghekeza Primary School (2 volunteers)
·              Mgubho Combined School (2 volunteers)
·              Siboshwa Higher Primary School (2 volunteers)
·              Tindzaleni Primary School (2 volunteers)
·              Zamokuhle Combined School (2 volunteers)

 
“Whilst there are many aspects of Nkomazi life which may at first seem astounding or difficult to cope with, it is an amazing opportunity to experience a fascinating culture very different from our own.”

Nkomazi East Volunteer, 2005