JumpStart maths tutor, Mamollo Kok, is on an interesting career path. She went from being a matriculant with social work ambitions, to a welding apprenticeship, to ensuring that bright sparks fly in the classrooms where she supports maths education. What’s in a name? Mamollo is known to her friends as Mamiki. To two-year-old Zizipho she is Mama. To the 700 foundation phase learners at Nelson Mandela Primary School in Sasolburg where she is a JumpStart tutor, helping out in the maths lessons, she is simply “Maths Teacher”. Soon, however, Mamiki will be a fully qualified Grade R teacher thanks to a StudyAssist Bursary from SASOL. In Southern Sotho “mamollo” means “mother of fire”. It’s a fitting name for a person who protects the embers, blowing gently on them and waiting for the spark of learning to emerge as a flame. Certainly, the prospects are improving for the children who pass through her care. “Mother […]
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JumpStart is shortlisted for MTN Awards
When Stephen Mahony learned about the inaugural MTN Awards for Social Change, he was hopeful that JumpStart fitted the brief. The awards recognise – amongst other things – NPOs that demonstrate excellent monitoring and evaluation practice (M&E). This aligned neatly with JumpStart’s vision. Angie Maloka of the MTN Foundation explained the aim of the award. NPOs must measure the outcome of their work, because donors need to see their money is being spent productively. “Additionally, we wish to see NPOs who are already doing this well, go on to share their learning,” she said. Mahony submitted the JumpStart numeracy programme, currently operating in 20 Ekurhuleni South primary schools, for consideration. The Michael and Susan Dell Foundation (MSDF) has funded this project since 2016 to the tune of R7,3 million rand annually, and Mahony is keen to see it expand in months to come. NPOs are working for a better South Africa The MTN Foundation recognises […]
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Exciting prospects at Oosrand Secondary, Reiger Park
Oosrand Secondary School in Reiger Park is a great spot to be. High school learners here face exciting educational prospects, and their appetites for technology have been aroused. Planning for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) The ICT committee of the Ekurhuleni South Education District Office is planning to develop a centre of learning excellence in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education. Firstly, this aims to provide students with better prospects for tertiary education. Secondly, it exposes young people to the possibility of careers in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). Peter Arendse, Oosrand Secondary‘s deputy principal, is a committed and conscientious educator. He expressed his delight that learners could participate in the JumpStart Programme in future. “It’s been painful to see our learners exiting the system without ICT skills or meaningful qualifications. Therefore we’re putting our best foot forward. We want this community to grow and develop and we want this […]
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Lego League competition: township pre-teens plan a hospital
Saturday morning and school shoes? Tick! Red T-shirt and jeans? Tick! Brightly coloured LEGO kits and a fancy bus? Tick! So it started, with 40 future JumpStart scientists and engineers getting ready, set, go…. They headed to UNISA with great excitement for the FIRST LEGO League Challenge. Last year, the JumpStart Robotics team merely observed the 2018 National FLL Robotics competition. This year, they arrived in Pretoria, with serious work to do. Future scientists and engineers at work Inside their backpacks they had folded their scheme for a brand new, spanking new hospital. So too, the architectural drawings alongside their LEGO Mindstorms EV3 Core kits. Child’s play certainly looks different these days… The competition against Johannesburg’s elite private schools was a little daunting, but these township learners took it in their stride. Project Manager, Daniella Lekgau, supervises and coordinates The JumpStart Foundation Robotics lab. She ensures that the fifth and sixth graders who travel in […]
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Moleboheng Hoffman – JumpStart tutors help Buyani Primary recover
Moleboheng Hoffman is a tutor at Finetown’s Buyani Primary School, which has an interesting history. It started in 2008 in a container and with the help of the Buyani Education Trust, grew to have ten classrooms. The school, which is based in an impoverished area, had an especially difficult year in 2021. With the help of ForGood we were able to raise some funds to contribute to workbooks where parents could not afford them. We have also secured 50 devices via Labdoo which now await the lifting of travel restrictions for use at the school. Grassroots interventions and innovative approaches are essential to extremely under-resourced communities which are hard to reach. We are grateful for those who supported this school during a profoundly difficult time. As COVID-19 dragged on for a second year, the school’s much loved principal, Mr Lazarus Baloyi, was shot and killed. We are particularly grateful to our tutors on the ground […]
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