This is because they were the winners in a Vodacom essay-writing competition which formed part of the Lowveld Media/Mpumalanga News and Partners for Possibility’s school pages project, Sikola Setfu. Partners for Possibility establish partnerships between business leaders and school principals of rural and underfunded schools.
The intention is to develop creative solutions for the many challenges these principals have to address on a day-to-day basis. The knock-on results within these participating schools and communities, and the mindsets of the learners, too, have been phenomenally positive, because, for one, it restored dignity within these learners, teachers and principals. Communities have developed new respect for what is happening in these schools.
Vodacom Mbombela agreed to sponsor the school pages for three months and also indicated that they would like to run an essay competition for the PfP partnered schools. The essay subject matter: The impact of the Vodacom e-School platform on learners’ lives and ways to improve it for the next 25 years.
There would be a R10 000 prize for the winning school and a laptop for the learner submitting the best essay. There were 35 entries primarily written by primary school learners.
“Choosing the winner was not at all easy, as the quality of the entries were truly inspiring,” said Vodacom’s Mbombela marketing manager Loreal Charnley. Grade seven learner Unathi Nwuso walked off with the laptop, and her school, Mgwenyane Primary, received the prize money.
There was, however, another high-quality essay by Nyalunga Buyisene from the same school, which Charnley and her team thought deserved recognition. So it was decided to reward Nyalunga with a smartphone.
Needless to say that Mgwenyane Primary with its 417 learners is trending both within their immediate vicinity and the school circuit community. “Our status as a school that places authentic focus on its quest for excellence has been recognised, and we are beyond ourselves with delight and gratitude,” said principal Simanga Maloka.
“This is all part of the accumulated results of being involved with PfP – the school pages project, and businesses and leaders who put up their hands and declare themselves willing to create the change that is required. I am so proud, I don’t have words.
These partnerships are changing the lives and perceptions of these learners from being negative and depressing, to believing anything is possible when I take responsibility and do the work.”
“Although Vodacom is involved with many awesome initiatives, the essay competition (an idea by Vodacom’s Silindile Ngcobo) was a first and we are truly impressed with the results. We definitely want to involve more schools. Education is important to us and the Vodacom e-School initiative, which also synchronises with the Department of Education’s curriculum, has proved invaluable for all learners – right from grade R to grade 12.
It develops depth within the learners’ experience. Vodacom is not just about data and cellphones; we want to connect with and improve the lives of our future leaders and decision-makers,” said Charney.
Unathi Nwosu: “I love the school pages and this competition. I did a lot of research using the Vodacom app and to now have my own laptop – it is just the best. Education is the key – thank you to all involved who exposed us to this opportunity.”
Nyalunga Buyisene: “I am still in shock – I spend many hours on this essay but the reward is worth it. The Vodacom app certainly makes homework more interesting.”
And says maths, computer science and technology teacher, Elmon Jomo: “This e-School platform will drive many more of our learner’s assignments in 2020.”
