1.Gatang 18-05

Grade 9 (30) , 10 (90) , 11 (69), 12 (31)

After a lengthy preparation phase the project finally kicked off. I had just flown in to OR Tambo when I received a text message from Mr Leslie Hlengani to say that there were student protests in Mamelodi over the increase in theft of tablets from learners walking home after school. The learners were marching to the local police station to demand that something be done about the situation. Leslie informed me that he had requested that his science learners remain behind and wait for me as there was no danger where Gatang High was situated.

After collecting a car and navigating heavy traffic and two major accidents I arrived at Gatang after 10:00. It was a trip down memory lane as I had worked with Gatang High as part of the Ulwazi Project to digitally include one of the classrooms there with my own some 15 km away. This allowed for the interconnection of two SMART interactive whiteboard and web cams to share teachers as part of virtual classrooms. Leslie later informed me that some of the learners that had participated in the extra science lessons had gone on to become engineers with one about to complete a PhD. The returns in investment of social capital from this project was high.

Like most outreach projects the success is largely dependent upon the presence of a champion in the recipient community. Leslie was prepared to co-invest in the projects and was selected to be part of the project based on his continued support and efforts. It was good to reconnect with him after almost a decade of limited communication. The first impressions of walking into his classroom is that there is a great deal of respect from his learners who are prepared to go the extra mile for him.

There were very few changes in the approach into the township of Mamelodi from the east with shanty lined streets and lots of dust and roads strewn with litter. The only difference since my last visit almost a decade ago was the presence of more tin shacks. Despite this one is greeted by a vibrant bustling community with people making out a living from the informal economy on the pavements from fruit vendors to hair dressers, exhaust repairs, cell phone kiosks, etc. I am reminded that this is the true face of Africa for the vast majority of our citizens.

The purpose of the visit was Clean Energy Education and what better place than to have a table outside in the sun with a power cable for a electric fan to substitute for wind. Despite the rest of the school being vacated he had managed to convince 220 learners to remain behind. Each time I deliver these demonstrations I am encouraged to find learners who are committed and talented. The discussions were intense with interesting angles indicating to me that they were receiving a quality education.