Students defy age and disability to graduate
Thirty students were ecstatic when they graduated from the Zilweleni Islamic Centre recently.
SMILES, applause and excitement filled the air at the Zilweleni Islamic Centre in Mariannhill recently when 30 students graduated from various courses.
The students graduated from the Islamic Dawah Movement of Southern Africa’s (IDM) three-month sewing and computer literacy skills development courses. All students came from the Mariannhill community, a previously disadvantaged area where poverty and social ills are rife.
Sithembile Sikhakhane, 28, is happy she graduated. The computer literacy graduate found it difficult to complete the course due to being visually impaired and not having the funds to afford glasses but thanks to her teacher Mbali Mthethwa, she overcame her disability. “From 2002, I have suffered with my eyesight. I cannot sit in front of the computer for long. My teacher was patient and spent a lot of time with me until I understood the work,” she said.
Though Sithembile is currently unemployed, she is optimistic that her new qualification will secure her a job. She is currently pursuing another IT qualification.
Describing her teaching experience as exhilarating, Mbali Mthethwa, cried when her 15 students graduated. “It was a great experience teaching my students. It came with a lot of challenges, as a lot of students have learning and physical disabilities,” she said.
The computer literacy course focused on Microsoft Word Excel, Powerpoint, e-mail and how to use the internet.
Margret Mngcaba illusrated that age is nothing but a number. The 59-year-old grandmother, like 14 other students, graduated from the sewing course. “I love to sew but never knew how. Now I can sew dresses and skirts. With my new skill I can improve my life and start a business,” she said.
Both courses are conducted and funded by IDM. The organisation was established in 1977 and has grown exponentially during its 39 years of existence. The organisation’s core functions encompasse education and training, skills development and capacity building, research, publications and literature ,religious activities and welfare activities.
The Zilweleni Islamic Centre is a multi-purpose education facility that engages with more than 200 people each day on various projects including Madressah (Islamic education) classes, Grade R classes (in affiliation with the Department of Education), a creche, adult basic education and training (ABET), sewing classes, computer literacy classes, karate classes, gardening projects, a medical clinic and feeding schemes.
