A page out of Mqanduli – Walk with us ... (Nqaba K. Mpofu)

The past six weeks working on Ilima lokufunda in Mqanduli have been an eye-opener. This entailed working with rural schools and the communities they serve, as they prepared for the first day of school in 2010. Because many of us do not live in rural areas, it is hard for us to understand the experiences of people living in rural areas. Having said that, I seek out opportunities to expose myself, as a student, to rural people and their way of life. This I have done with the belief that as I interact with them, I learn more about myself, about life in general, and more importantly, I become a learning and better human being.

Siyakhwezela – Walk with us ... (Mihlali Khumalo)

On Freedom Day, 27th April 2009, the NMI produced the first edition of Phemba Mfundi, a journal of learner writing.  This year, the NMI plans to make the booklet much more exciting; it will feature poems, autobiographies and short stories. This year, on May 8, we will launch the second edition of the journal at the Qunu Youth Musuem.

Thinking Aloud - January – Thinking aloud (Kimberley Porteus)

Dear friends and colleagues of the NMI,

One of our goals this year is to become better at communicating about our work.  Our goal is not only to communicate about our work formally, but to have opportunities to informally share our experiences and thoughts, with people like ourselves, who are committed to creating an education system that works for all our children. 

Walking with Nobuntu – Walk with us ... (Nobuntu Mazeka)

It is an enormous challenge for me to reflect on who I am, the work that I am doing and the role of the Nelson Mandela Institute. This is not because of what I have to say, or how I wish to say it, or to whom. Maybe it is the decisive, humanising and nurturing support I have received from the Institute and how big I see its work that makes it difficult for me. However, writers and activists like Paulo Freire suggest that action without reflection is mere “busyness”. Action is only powerful to the extent that it is subject to our own critical reflection.