SINGAKWENZA WASTE 2 TOYS

 

SINGAKWENZA TRAINING WORKSHOPS IN ZULULAND WITH 

THE MILIMANI EDUCATIONAL TRUST

Singakwenza trainers, Joseph and Vuyisile, facilitated the Waste 2 Toys training workshops in Zululand from 15 to 19 August 2022. This meant an 850 km round trip from Pietermartizburg.

This was motivated by the Milimani Educational Trust and funded by the Oldham family in the UK so that community caregivers could participate in the training.

The importance of the caregivers’ role in the lives of the young children that they influence daily was acknowledged and emphasised at the workshops, and caregivers have been encouraged to provide play opportunities for their children every day. 

They learnt how to make a number of educational toys from household packaging that is usually thrown away, discovering how many skills a child is developing while playing with the toys they made and how those skills will help the child in formal education.

A total of 60 delegates attended the 3 training workshops over 3 days.  They have 580 children in their care, be it at home or in their creches.

At the start of each training session, the delegates are given the opportunity to play.  They use a skipping rope made out of bread bags and take turns in skipping.  This is to remind them how much fun is had when playing and all the skills that one is learning at the same time such as gross motor skills, taking turns, sharing etc.  These photos really tell a wonderful story of participation and fun.

Building on the investment made by Milimani in 2020 during Covid for the Learn@Home boxes, many delegates had knowledge of the work that Singakwenza does and the educational activities that are made out of recycling.  

Tuesday 16^th August - Sovane with 21 delegates who have 440 children in their care.

It was wonderful to have a few delegates from WILDTRUST Somkanda Game Reserve attending as Singakwenza had run training for them in 2017.  

The rest of the delegates were from creches in the area.  Here are some comments from the delegates:

“Singakwenza brought joy and encouragement to the creche practitioners.”

“The fact that the activities cost nothing to make means it is affordable to anyone.”

“We can now create our own toys.”

Wednesday 17^th August - Maphambeni with 21 delegates who have 76 children in their care.

Most of the parents from Zihlakaniphele creche attended this training.  These are some of their comments:

“This program is meaningful as the government is having difficulty in funding ECD and we can make our own equipment from waste.”

“We enjoyed the hands-on, fun and practical activities.”

“The training accommodated everyone including the gogo’s and brought in teamwork and connected the community.”

Thursday 18^th August - KwaDla-Kuse with 18 delegates who have 64 children in their care.

A number of parents attended this training.  These are some of the  comments that were received after the training:

“We learnt new ways of behaving like being patient and understanding the children, especially when playing with them.”

“I am aware of how important it is for a child to play.”

“The importance of using waste to make learning equipment.”

 There was a unanimous call for Singakwenza to return again and run further training!

In order to maximise Milimani’s investment in the training, we need to follow up with the community to ensure that they start to implement the new knowledge they have learnt. The delegates only made one of each item at the workshop, but they will need a lot more to use in the classroom.  At the workshop, ideas were shared on how to get access to the recycling they need, such as asking local restaurants, B&Bs, schools, etc. to collect for them. Making toys can be quite time-consuming, so the delegates can also ask parents, gogos and the community to help them make more items.  

We hope to get funding for 2023 to hold future workshops that can make such a difference in the lives of these remote communities.

For more information please contact Lois from the Milimani Educational Trust at lois@kuhle.me

FROM A HUT TO THE HIGH COURT

 By Lois Kuhle – founder and trustee of the Milimani Educational Trust

KwaDla-Kuse, northern KwaZulu-Natal

"Getting involved in your community is one of the best ways to enjoy and enhance your life. Why sit at home when there's a whole world out there to immerse yourself in? Through volunteering and getting involved I've expanded the quality of my life in ways I never once thought possible" - Darian Dixon Snr.

Nombulelo Masango, known as Bule, 

always stood out for me as a special child.

We established The Milimani Educational Trust in 2001 and built the first community creche in KwaDla-Kuse, a deeply rural area in northern KwaZulu-Natal. Over 20 years ago Bule was among the first children who enrolled, and I immediately developed a bond with her.

We used to visit the creche with Milimani Lodge guests by crossing the Mkuze River, and Bule would always be there her little hand eagerly clasping mine. 

We frequently invited the village children to the lodge, and they would sing and dance with uninhibited enthusiasm to the delight of our guests.

We left the lodge when it was taken over by a land claim in 2005, but we continued with the Milimani Educational Trust, which has gone from strength to strength supporting three creches in the Sovane area. The Milimani Game Sanctuary & Lodge is now part of Somkhanda Community Game Reserve.

 

Bule as a young lady, visiting the creche

Bule was born in September 2000. She has five sisters and a brother. They were raised in this remote community, so small it is barely a dot on the map. KwaDla-Kuse is in an oxbow, hugged by the Mkuze River which either flows – or it doesn’t. 

It’s not an easy place to live with minimal infrastructure and limited access to water. They have only recently received electricity. The roads are poor and schools are a long distance away, especially for young people.

Rural children are expected to help with daily chores – collecting water, looking after livestock and helping around the kraal. It is not all fun and games.

 

Despite these rural hardships, education played a major role in the Masango family. Bule finished school at Kwa-Ziphethe Svananda Secondary School at KwaNongoma. The Milimani Educational Trust funded a course in Advanced Computer Literacy at Avuxeni Computer Academy KZN after she matriculated. Bule is now doing her Law Diploma through UNISA (University of South Africa) and I couldn’t be more proud. She is receiving funds through the National Financial Student Aid Scheme (NSFAS).

“I am hoping to have the power to make difference. I want to improve the legal system for people who cannot afford a lawyer. Some people wait for days for a government-appointed legal advisor and spend time in jail, even though they may be innocent.” Bule tells me. “I believe in justice. I want to help people, groups, organisations and companies to solve challenging problems and manage their legal issues.”

 

Bule is learning the necessary skills to become a powerful lawyer. Communicating, listening,writing, negotiation and time management. And that law education is about real cases that have been argued and judged in court.

Bule is committed to giving back to her community: “I want my friends in my community to realise that education is the key to success. You need to work hard and be passionate about what you do and what you want for your future. I will encourage students to continue their studies and I am willing to help them apply for university.”

 

Bule visits her family in KwaDla-Kuse during the school holidays and one day hopes to set up an internet café to help her community to have easier access to education.

We have watched Bule grow into an inspiring young lady and we know that she will make a difference in many lives.

 

PASSIONATE ABOUT PECANS

South Africa is the third largest pecan producer in the world and the industry continues to flourish.

Natal nurseryman, Mr. Wilkinson, imported the first pecan trees towards the end of 1800s. The first grafted trees were imported in 1912 by F.S. Staniland of Willowfontein in Pietermaritzburg, and the first commercial nursery was established by HL Hall and sons near Nelspruit in Limpopo Province.

Initially, the pecan industry grew steadily, but when China entered the market, the demand skyrocketed. In 2007, Chinese traders shifted from walnuts to pecans during the shortage of walnut supplies from China and the U.S. This expansion motivated farmers to seriously cultivate more pecan trees with remarkable success, and Chinese traders soon realised they could bypass the bottleneck from shellers and deal directly with growers.

The pecan industry has witnessed a dramatic transformation over the past 30 years. The development of high-yielding inshell varieties, modern agricultural and irrigation practices played a significant role in the industry’s progress into the 21st century. The introduction of improved cracking and sorting technology enabled expansion into the export market, while continuing to supply the core domestic customer base.

Mtebeni Ranches’ journey began in 1964 in Pongola, northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. In the 1980s, they diversified from cattle and cotton to include pecan nuts. In 1987 they had 100 hectares of pecans and in 2022 they have 140 hectares with over 6,000 pecan trees.

In the beginning, Mtebeni Ranches sorted and packed pecan nuts by hand. They developed a close relationship with their local community offering valuable employment. The shelling plant equipment was upgraded in 2000 with state-of-the-art imported and locally manufactured machinery for de-shelling and sorting. The plant’s capacity increased to 800kg per day (100 tons per annum). In 2016 they underwent another expansion project to meet the year-on-year global demand for pecans. In 2022 the factory processes two tons per day, and over 200 tons per annum. Their modern cold storage facility ensures all year-round shelling.

Mtebeni Ranches and the pecan processing facility employs over 80 people from the local community, plus additional staff during harvesting. Many employees have been with Mtebeni Ranches for two or three generations and they form an integral part of the farm’s culture. Mtebeni Ranches’ inclusive management style takes pride in all the people who participate in the process that has led to the success they have achieved over the past 50 years. Staff receive regular training programs on and off site, and they offer additional educational opportunities for staff that show potential for growth.

Mtebeni Ranches’ pecan production compares to the best in the world. Their increasing annual export orders are testament to this.

Mtebeni Ranches produces, de-shells and packs pecan nuts in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. We are proud members of the South African Pecan Producers Association (SAPPA).

Contact Karen via WhatsApp on +27 82 923 6062

Or email admin@mtebenivalleypecans.co.za

A VIDA É MELHOR NA PRAIA

 

O Resort Coco Rico está localizado na dinâmica cidade costeira de Ponta do Ouro, no Sul de Moçambique. 

É uma viagem  fácil de uma hora a partir de Maputo, a 450 kms de Durban e 600kms de Joanesburgo. A nova Estrada alcatroada que vem de Kosi Bay e vai até Maputo facilitou o acesso à cidade. 

As infraestruturas foram melhoradas e a Ponta do Ouro está a tornar-se uma comunidade movimentada que oferece pesca, mergulho, snorkelling e surf. 

A Reserva Marinha Parcial da Ponta do Ouro é a primeira área de conservação marítima trans-fronteiriça em África. É conhecida e adorada pela sua biodiversidade e Beleza natural intocada, e casa de uma variedade de fauna e flora marinha, desde uma míriade de peixes tropicais, baleias, golfinhos, tartarugas do mar, e dugongos, a camas de algas marinhas e um caleidoscópio de recifes corais.

O resort tem localização central e fica a uma distância a pé da praia, restaurants, lojas, bancos, e vibrante mercado central.

O NOSSO RESORT

O resort oferece 20 unidades self-catering que podem acomodar até um máximo de 8 pessoas. O duplex estilo-madeira e simplex bungalows estão bem equipados com tudo o que possa precisar na cozinha, áreas de estar espaçosas, área de braai sociável, buquet de canais DSTV, ar-condicionados e roupa de casa. Também oferecemos serviço de casa. 

Serviços adicionais incluem:

Lavandaria| instalações de escritórios básicas |cartões de crédito VISA aceites | segurança 24 horas local | arrecadação de barcos durante a sua estadia | parque de estacionamento | limpeza e evisceração de peixe |car wash 

CONFERÊNCIAS/ EVENTOS 

A Coco Rico oferece o espaço ideal para pequenas conferências ou eventos de formação de equipas.  Prestamos serviços para até 60 delegações e o nosso staff assistirá com actividades para garantir que o seu tempo é bem gasto.

CASAMENTOS

Casamentos na praia são românticos, simples e profundamente memoráveis. Os nossos pacotes de casamento podem servir cerca de 120 convidados com a opção de uma cerimónia no jardim ou na praia. A nossa equipa é especializada em planear o seu dia especial e iremos trabalhar junto consigo para garantir que tudo corre de acordo com o seu gosto.  

ATRACÇÕES

Temos uma grande ligação com a Ponta do Ouro, e a capacidade de proporcionar actividades terrestres e aquáticas. Teremos todo o gusto de assistir com:

Fretes de pesca | safaris de pesca de arpão | aluguer de barcos, reparações, gestão | mergulho | Passeios de barco no pôr do sol | nadar com golfinhos

Quer esteja à procura de um destino para férias em família, conferência, formação de equipas, ou um espaço romântico, a Coco Rico preenche todos os requisites! 

 

LIFE IS BETTER AT THE BEACH

 

Coco Rico Resort is located in the dynamic coastal town of Ponta do Ouro, in southern Mozambique.

It is an easy one-hour drive from Maputo, 450kms from Durban and 600kms from Johannesburg. The newly tarred road from the Kosi Bay border and to Maputo has made the town easier to access. 

The infrastructure has been improved and Ponta do Ouro is fast becoming a buzzing community offering fishing, scuba diving, dolphin swimming, snorkelling and surfing.

The Ponta do Ouro Partial Marine Reserve is the first marine transfer-frontier conservation area in Africa. It is known and loved for its rich biodiversity and unspoilt natural beauty and home to a variety of marine fauna and flora, from a myriad of tropical fish, humpback whales, dolphins, sea turtles and dugongs, to healthy seagrass beds and a kaleidoscope of coral reefs.

The resort is centrally located and within walking distance to the beach, restaurants, shops, banks and the vibrant marketplace.

OUR RESORT

The resort offers 20 luxury self-catering units accommodating a maximum of eight people. The log-style duplex and simplex bungalows are well equipped with everything you need in the kitchen, spacious living areas, sociable braai area, bouquet DSTV channels, air-conditioning and linen. We provide daily servicing.

We offer a range of facilities to make your stay comfortable and pleasant. We have a communal braai area which is perfect for getting together or reserved for special events. 

We have a spacious meeting/ conference room for team building weekends or corporate events. Our pool and kiddies’ facilities will keep the family entertained within a safe environment.

Additional services include:

Laundry | basic office facilities |VISA credit cards accepted |24 on-site guarding | boat storage during your stay | on-site parking | fish cleaning and gutting |car wash

CONFERENCES & EVENTS

Coco Rico offers the ideal venue for small conferences and team building events. We cater for up to 60 delegates and our staff will assist you with activities to ensure that your time is well spent.

 

 

WEDDINGS

Beach weddings are romantic, simple and deeply memorable. Our wedding packages can cater for 120 guests with the option of a garden or beach ceremony. Our team is experienced in planning your special day and we will work closely with you to ensure that everything runs smoothly.

ATTRACTIONS

We have a strong network within Ponta do Ouro with the ability to arrange water and land-based activities. We will gladly assist you with:

Fishing charters | spear fishing safaris | boat hire, repairs, management | scuba diving | sunset boat cruises | controlled dolphin swimming.

Whether you are looking for a family holiday destination, conference, team building or romantic wedding venue Coco Rico will tick all the boxes!

 

TRUE ZULULAND HOSPITALITY

 

Pongola Country Lodge is ideally situated in the heart of Pongola town, a place renowned for its sugar cane industry. This beautiful valley offers a rewarding variety of culture, history, wilderness and wildlife.

Initially Pongola Country Lodge offered the only accommodation for travellers and businesspeople. The town has expanded dramatically in recent years and we remain the only hotel that offers 3-star value for 5-star hospitality.

Extensive renovations on the Lodge commenced in 1998 and we grew from 36 to 57 individually decorated rooms by 2010. Further developments took place and by 2015 we had 67 well-appointed rooms and top-class conference facilities. 

Our staff complement grew from 20 to 60, employing from the local community as well as affording hospitality students experience through a carefully selected government program.

LOOK AT US NOW

We pride ourselves on our attention to detail ensuring you of a comfortable and memorable stay. Our restaurant offers robust country style cooking, with an impressive a la carte menu. You can relax in our stylish lounges or next to the pool set in tranquil gardens.

Our team is available to assist with special events, whether it be corporate, weddings, birthdays or parties to celebrate an occasion. 

Our receptionists will eagerly help you to plan excursions in the area.

Join us and listen to the drum beat of true Zululand hospitality.

Alternate number and WhatsApp 082 324 0250

Website: www.pongolacountrylodge.co.za