Overseas Links

Background

Davenant was invited by the British Council to participate with 15 other English schools in the African Dreams 2010 Project.  The aims of this five year campaign are:

1. To develop the creativity and skills of young people through sport leadership
2. To improve cross-cultural understanding among young people
3. To highlight the dreams that young people have for the future, giving them a platform at the world’s biggest sport event, the 2010 World Cup in South Africa

In June 2005, the Principal of Umlazi Commercial High School in Durban, Mr Vusumuzi Hlophe, visited Davenant and then in October, myself and two Year 12 students, Adam Friend and Victoria Robinson, were fully funded by the British Council to participate in a reciprocal visit.

The main focus for this visit was a sports festival, organised by students in the South African School, which would help develop their capacity for sports leadership.  On the same day, at Davenant, our sports leaders organised an African Day for all Year 7 students aimed at introducing them to the country of South Africa and, specifically to some of its sports, culture and customs.  The following report is a mixture of factual detail and personal impressions written at the end of a memorable week.

South Africa, Durban and Umlazi

Umlazi is the second biggest township in South Africa.  It is home to 1.2 million people who live in a huge variety of housing ranging from the sizeable and well-planned to the inadequate and unacceptable.  The school has high aspirations for its students (known in South Africa as “learners”) and many achieve very well and move on to college, university and successful careers.  It does, however, have to confront the massive social and economic problems that exist in South Africa and which make development into such a challenge.

Apart from financial poverty among a sizable minority of the township, HIV/AIDS is now endemic.  The school calculates that approximately 30% of its students are infected by the virus and, in the last few years, staff have either died or disclosed that they carry the disease.  Everyone we spoke to, both within the school and in the more affluent areas of the city of Durban, seemed to have friends, family or work colleagues who had become infected.  In total, it is estimated that over 5 million South Africans are HIV positive.

Throughout the visit, we were struck by the massive contrasts that exist between affluence and poverty at every level.  Inequality between people, geographical areas, different schools, modes of transport etc. etc. were overwhelming.  However, the determination to overcome these is very evident as is the awareness that it will take many years.

Umlazi Commercial High School

The school has 950 learners and 29 educators (i.e. teachers).  The average class size is approximately 45.  Parents are expected to pay fees of approximately 320R per annum (£30) but probably 40% can’t/don’t pay.  The school staff told us that the average wage was probably 500R per month (£50) and with many earning less and large numbers of families deprived of adult incomes by HIV/AIDS, it is impossible to insist upon payment (even though school reports and exam results are often held-back as an incentive to those who haven’t paid!)

There are six lessons per day of one hour duration.  Teachers are in class throughout each day and have no free periods except when their senior classes are taking exams.  Teachers also invigilate exams and teach mixed-ability classes with no extra support.  Parents meetings take place on Sundays and full reports are written on each learner termly.

Learners are in Grades 8 – 12 and are aged between 12 and 18.  Tests must be passed if they are to progress to the next grade at the end of the year.  A new curriculum (the F.E.T.) is being introduced across all schools in 2006 from Grade 10 upwards and this means learners must take two languages (probably, at Umlazi, English and Zulu), Maths and Life Orientation (equivalent to our P.S.H.C.E. programme).  Then students will choose their preferred subjects which, at U.C.H.S., will be from a list of business/finance related courses such as Accounts, Commerce, Tourism, Economics etc.  A broader curriculum is offered up to Grade 9.

The school possess a few, old and unreliable computers.  There is one internet point in the school office and the convenience of broadband is a long way off.  There is a school library but books are very old and, this year, it has not been possible to afford a Librarian.  Nevertheless, the aim of the new curriculum is to engage students in more active learning and to move away from traditional methods to teaching.

Students are a credit to their school.  They are smartly dressed in their uniform which includes a green tie and jumper (even in the hot weather!).  They congregate each morning for assembly which includes an African hymn and a strong, Christian message.  They appear to work hard and helped the school produce the best results of all the schools in the Umlazi Township during 2003 and 2004.  They were friendly, welcoming and showed how they could be trusted to behave even when supervision was scarce.

The Representative Learners Committee (RLC) is recognised as an important part of the school’s running and governance.  Each class elects a representative and eight learners form the Executive   which has a formal presence on the governing body.

Dreams and Teams

The school invited a group of learners to participate in the Dreams and Teams project.  They organised the primary schools festival on 20th October and, through the process, learnt a wide range of skills relevant to organisation and leadership.

Nine teams participated in front of over 250 spectators.  The event attracted local media coverage and was attended by the Mayor of Durban – a popular figure whose sights were set on re-election in 2006 followed by preparation for the World Cup in 2010.

Our two students, Adam and Vicki, played a full part.  Their experience at Davenant on the Junior Sports Leaders Award and Community Sports Leaders Award enabled them to participate, review and evaluate the event.

Next Steps

On the final day, Mr Hlope and I met with the British Council’s Durban representative, Rohini Naidoo.  We agreed the following developments for our project:

• A video link-up between Umlazi Dreams and Teams and Davenant C.S.L.A. group to allow them to evaluate their respective events held on 20th October.
• The involvement in a soccer-based project (again aimed at 2010) which will involve both schools in organising a primary schools festival in March 2006.  Materials will be exchanged between the schools during the preparation and evaluation stages.  Students will work towards the Junior Football Organisers Award run by the F.A.
• A curriculum link that will support teachers in both schools delivering a Tourism/Leisure course.  Materials will be trialled and shared with portfolios produced.  Where possible they would focus on 2010 and 2012 (i.e. London’s Olympics Year)
• A visit by two Umlazi students, with a teacher, to Davenant in late June 2006.  They will join a planning group who, during that week, will organise a sporting event – probably involving other schools

There was also discussion of how to extend further visits to/from the U.K. in future years.

Conclusion

This was an important week for both individuals and institutions.  We are now part of a project with over thirty other schools from our two countries.  We have plans for the future and will work hard to make these a reality and, of course, to develop in different directions.

However, on a personal level, it was a truly fascinating experience.  Umlazi, Durban and, indeed, South Africa as a whole is a place of many paradoxes.  Memories will remain vivid and we will appreciate the huge warmth and hospitality that we experienced for many years to come.

“when the praises go up, the glories come down”

(from a chorus, spontaneously sang by four boys at the end of our visit)

Chris Seward

October 2005