| | https://www.sun.ac.za/si | The Latin Project | The project entails offering Latin to learners from all schools in Stellenbosch as an extra-curricular activity on Fridays and Saturdays at the Department of Ancient Studies in the Arts and Social Sciences Building. The objective is to contribute to University readiness through familiarizing learners with the environment and with English as a teaching language (together with Afrikaans where applicable), and through improving academic literacy through the study of Latin and the Ancient World. Inter-school (and thus also inter-cultural, inter-language and inter-racial) contact is an important objective. A great challenge for the project is to provide transport to the learners who cannot get the university on their own. The biggest group of participating students so far comes from Kayamandi High School with smaller numbers from, Luckhoff High, Stellenbosch High, Rhenish and Paul Roos. We hope to recruit more learners from Cloetesville High if we can make transport available also to these learners.The project is run to a large extent by postgraduate students who help with the organization and the presentation of the classes; we find that the students identify with the student teachers and try to have presenters from a variety of race groups. Classes are taught in an interactive and practical way: pupils receive worksheets and play interactive games to practice the principles taught; they also speak Latin to each other, e.g. at occasions where refreshments are served, but only when requested in Latin. The teaching of Latin is supplemented by information - presented with a lot of visual material - about the ancient world where Latin was spoken; learners are challenged to think critically about issues still relevant today, e.g. issues of race, in discussions of the erroneous depiction of Roman slaves as black in a handbook on the ancient world, where it was not the case that slaves were black.With the currenct Covid-19 circumstances we are exploring various engagement option; we are also considering using smaller venues and smaller groups with more students teaching at the same time. All Covid protocols will be adhered to. | 1281 | | |
| | https://www.sun.ac.za/si | Re-building a forgotten historical gem: Faure | Adjacent to the R102 between Somerset West and Kuilsriver lies a small village that most Capetonians likely do not know about, yet it holds significant environmental, cultural and historical value. Faure is a very small village that dates back to the 1600s and has been occupied by the same families for many generations. The stone remains next to the Eerste River are believed to be that of a bridge that have been built by Simon van der Stel, and the few buildings in the village date back to the mid-1700s. Local residents proudly tell stories of what each of the buildings used to be, how they and their great-grandparents all went to the same primary school, weddings that their grandparents held at the old tea garden next to the river, and where the old Khoi meeting place used to be next to the wetland. All these stories and the history of the buildings and the community appear to be overlooked by historians, with very little information about the area available. Residents are worried that their history will be forgotten or destroyed with the creeping development of Croydon to the East, and the building of a new mall to the West. They are also despondent about the quality of the environment surrounding the village – they remember how the Eerste River used to flood the village almost every winter, how they used to play in the river as kids, and the many plant and animal species that are now disappearing because of the poor water quality and invasive plants. The spot by the bridge is nowadays being used as a Christening spot by surrounding Xhosa communities, but the poor water quality poses a health risk.According to a heritage impact assessment that was conducted for the upgrade of Baden Powell Drive, the land on which Faure is situated was given to a Ferdinand Appel in 1699, who is said to have used it as a resting point for people who travelled to the Caledon warm springs (which he also owned). The Anglican Church dates back to 1856. It is believed that freed slaves settled here in the 19th century and the town developed around the church and the general dealer, which is now a rehabilitation centre. The Cape Corps Military Veterans: Civilian Directorate (CCMVCD) approached the Stellenbosch University Water Institute looking for support to clean the Eerste River of invasive plants and fish, and to rehabilitate the banks to uplift their community in terms of job creation, pride for their environment, and education. However, after listening to their recollection of the rich history of the village and visiting the site, it is believed that this village needs to be restored and re-discovered. It is proposed that various University departments get involved to restore this village to achieve economic, social and environmental upliftment. With the CCMVCD being situated in the village and already driving efforts to do this, it presents a great opportunity for the University to get involved as the likelihood of its interventions being sustainable is very high. It is also an ideal project to promote interdepartmental collaboration. The following aims summarises some of the envisioned plans:1. Environmental protection (water and biodiversity) and education: Clearing invasives, mapping and monitoring species diversity and monitoring, monitoring water quality and addressing impacts.2. Restore habitat and beautify natural environment to attract visitors3. Create economic opportunities to attract visitors and uplift community: food garden, local marketplace, redevelop tea garden.4. Restore buildings and re-establish old cultural practices, such as the Khoi meeting place | 1295 | | |
| | https://www.sun.ac.za/si | INKUTHAZO YESIZWE YOUTH ORGANISATION PROGRAMME | A need for support and training was identified amongst the youth of Kayamandi, a township of Stellenbosch. There is a significant social and educational gap between the youth and their parents or caregivers. The organisation wants to offer an effective and lasting intervention programme to empower the youth and build a community that will inspire growth. The aim is to address the challenges of health and mental wellness to build skills that will lead to meaningful careers and life choices. By bridging the gap and bringing the youth in touch with their elders again, a healthy social cohesion can be established to build the community into a thriving, safe and economically viable environment to bring up future generations. The organisation believes that education, training and mentorship will lead the way for a new generation of strong leaders. As per our name, we want to “stimulate the nation”.In order to achieve the aims of this initiative, physical exercise and sport have been identified as the primary tools in which people of all ages can engage with one another in the Kayamandi township, while also achieving our goals of improving the general health and well-being of people within the community. As such, weekly aerobic exercise sessions are held in Kayamandi (previously at Ikaya Primary School or on the municipal soccer grounds) which people of all ages and fitness levels are allowed to attend. A new venue has recently been identified (an indoor multi purpose sports arena owned by the municipality in Kayamandi) which will be the location of more regular training sessions going forward. Currently we offer our usual aerobic training sessions, as well as rythmnic based cardio sessions in the new venue on a daily basis and are looking to expand that program to a sports coaching program for youth in 2021. The Department of Sport Science students are involved in this initiative as the primary instructors for aerobics classes, coaching, coach education, and cardio sessions and are also tasked with creating a positive learning environment and stimulating social cohesion within these sessions. | 1376 | | |
