(Left Mathepelo, one of my very own grade 10 learners won the Miss King Makhosonke contest)The last few weeks have been filled with school spirit, as learners are in the middle of term three and face upcoming weeks filled with tests and national exams. The first big event was Sports Day. It was a lovely spring Saturday, as my friend Sma and I (we were the catering committee) arrived at school bright and early to chop and cook the biggest salads and pot of pap I have ever seen. Then by noon, the sporting events began: soccer, volleyball, netball, and debate (still not sure how that got added in). My personal favorite was netball which is kind of like basketball without the dribbling. In between matches, a few teachers and learners tried to teach me; let’s just say I will not be on the Olympic netball team anytime soon (I made one basket out of about 50 tries!) When the events were over the teachers from our school and the competing school had a braii (barbecue) with wine, beer, music and jiving. A really good time. I have a new favorite SA singer, Ringo and the song “All the Way from Soweto” was my favorite song of the day.
The following week, as a fundraiser for the 12th grade matric dance (prom), teachers, clerks, and cleaning staff, wore the school uniform for the day. It was so funny seeing everyone dressed like the kids; lots of pics were taken by kids and staff alike. The learners said we all looked so good, that we should wear the uniform everyday. Uh…no thanks. Lots of laughs though.
The week ended with a Women’s Day trip to Johannesburg. The combi we rented for the day was the best part, we sang and even danced a little to Ringo and Avatar DVD concert and chatted and laughed the whole ride, as we received SMS (text messages on our phones) from colleagues and friends sending empowering messages or thoughtful quotes about Women’s Day. Women’s Day is a national holiday, founded on the part women played in fighting apartheid. On this day in 1956 some 20,000 women marched to the Union [government] Buildings in Pretoria to protest against a law requiring black women to carry passes. This day is celebrated as a reminder of the contribution made by women to society, the achievements that have been made for women's rights, and to acknowledge the difficulties and prejudices many women still face. The women I work with want to plan another women only trip, next time a retreat weekend.
Lastly, the school had another fundraiser/motivational event – Mr and Miss King Makhosonke Contest; basically, a beauty pageant. To keep the audience interested between events, other students performed: poetry (I was on the poetry committee), traditional dance, free-style rap, drama, gospel choir, cultural spear group, and more. Now, for a few laughs at the expense of teenagers everywhere… the question and answer portion of the beauty contest brought out the nerves in a couple of unfortunate learners… The question was "What is a major cause of pollution?” After several minutes of asking for the question to be repeated and stalling, she went to the microphone and replied, “A major cause of pollution is sexual harassment.” Poor thing, and in front of all her friends. One of the young men did not fare that well either. One of his questions was, “What is your favorite dish?” He stepped up and said, “Tupperware.” You gotta love kids! (Hope to have pics of me and staff in school uniforms soon!)
The following week, as a fundraiser for the 12th grade matric dance (prom), teachers, clerks, and cleaning staff, wore the school uniform for the day. It was so funny seeing everyone dressed like the kids; lots of pics were taken by kids and staff alike. The learners said we all looked so good, that we should wear the uniform everyday. Uh…no thanks. Lots of laughs though.
The week ended with a Women’s Day trip to Johannesburg. The combi we rented for the day was the best part, we sang and even danced a little to Ringo and Avatar DVD concert and chatted and laughed the whole ride, as we received SMS (text messages on our phones) from colleagues and friends sending empowering messages or thoughtful quotes about Women’s Day. Women’s Day is a national holiday, founded on the part women played in fighting apartheid. On this day in 1956 some 20,000 women marched to the Union [government] Buildings in Pretoria to protest against a law requiring black women to carry passes. This day is celebrated as a reminder of the contribution made by women to society, the achievements that have been made for women's rights, and to acknowledge the difficulties and prejudices many women still face. The women I work with want to plan another women only trip, next time a retreat weekend.
Lastly, the school had another fundraiser/motivational event – Mr and Miss King Makhosonke Contest; basically, a beauty pageant. To keep the audience interested between events, other students performed: poetry (I was on the poetry committee), traditional dance, free-style rap, drama, gospel choir, cultural spear group, and more. Now, for a few laughs at the expense of teenagers everywhere… the question and answer portion of the beauty contest brought out the nerves in a couple of unfortunate learners… The question was "What is a major cause of pollution?” After several minutes of asking for the question to be repeated and stalling, she went to the microphone and replied, “A major cause of pollution is sexual harassment.” Poor thing, and in front of all her friends. One of the young men did not fare that well either. One of his questions was, “What is your favorite dish?” He stepped up and said, “Tupperware.” You gotta love kids! (Hope to have pics of me and staff in school uniforms soon!)
No comments:
Post a Comment