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Volume 39

21st December 2020

………………………………………………………………… ABOUT US …………………………………………………………………. Dr Angela James (Coordinator) |Ms Phakamile Mazibuko (Editor) |Mr Lihle Mbatha (Editor, Layout & Graphics Designer)

Academic Leader: Community Engagement |Master of Education Student |Teacher

Senior Lecturer: Science Education |Curriculum Studies |Sahlumbe High School

School of Education; College of Humanities |School of Education; College of Humanities |Department of Education

University of KwaZulu-Natal (Edgewood Campus) |University of KwaZulu-Natal (Edgewood Campus) |Province of KwaZulu-Natal

Email: jamesa1@ukzn.ac.za |215029257@stu.ukzn.ac.za |lihlembatha75@gmail.com

Cell: 073 511 4558 |Cell: 079 953 9498 |Cell: 072 974 9894

Mr Luthando Molefe (Editor) |Ms Mandisa Luthuli (Editor) |Mr Siphamandla Gumede (Graphics Designer)

Bachelor of Education Honours Student |Bachelor of Education First Year Student |Bachelor of Education Third Year Student

Teacher Development Studies | Social Science Education |Commerce Education

School of Education; College of Humanities |School of Education; College of Humanities |School of Education; College of Humanities

University of KwaZulu-Natal (Edgewood Campus) |University of KwaZulu-Natal (Edgewood Campus) |University of KwaZulu-Natal (Edgewood Campus)

Email: 215029529@stu.ukzn.ac.za |215046770@stu.ukzn.ac.za |218017568@stu.ukzn.ac.za

Cell: 078 049 1558 |Cell: 067 696 0185 |Cell: 063 654 0962

School of Education Community Engagement

............... Presents ...............

CREATIVE NETWORK

MAGAZINE

About This Volume

Students and Staff from ALL universities and members of the general public were invited to:

'Write about their current experiences in a creative way - a story, lyrics, poem, drawing etc... including how learning can take place during this time".

A SAFE,

MEANINGFUL

CHRISTMAS

& HAPPY

NEW YEAR -2021

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Can we go back...? by

Mlungisi. V Hlabisa (Master of Education Candidate: University of KwaZulu-Natal, Edgewood Campus)

214536349@stu.ukzn.ac.za Suddenly, Transparency seems dull Murky even. Voices; Hissing and spluttering We turn platonic. We took the Hippocratic oath To never let go My crypto. Love... True love is bodacious (Never obnoxious). Love... True love is always requited (Never fickle). Blessed with verve (Never static). Love... True love is exulting

>>>>>

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(Never dull). Love... True love is so vivacious and so poignant (Never narcissistic). Love... True love emancipates (Never enslaves). Oh Love... True love is never torrid nor frosty (Always optimum). Love... True love is never empty Open the palms of your hands I'll fill them with delight. Love is never dark, With it, candle light intimacies of Courage, hope and compassion. Ooh love; Today you may seems antique But a love connoisseur I hope to be.

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What is love… by

Nicolene Butler (University of Free State)

ButlerNM@ufs.ac.za

Love is to give without exceptions,

Love is being kind,

Love is all about caring for your loved ones,

Love is patient, so don’t rush…

Love is being respectful…

Love is the most beautiful gift you can give to others,

But you have to love yourself first!

Self-love is very important

Put yourself first before you give yourself to others…

Love is precious

Take good care of yourself and your loved ones.

INTERESTED IN SUBMITTING A CREATIVE PIECE

Submit your piece to any team member by e-mail or WhatsApp by Wednesday of every week.

SUBMIT - PERMISSION IS GRANTED TO THE EDITORS TO PUBLISH MY CREATIVE WORK IN THE MAGAZINE.

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Jennifer Sheokarah (PhD Candidate: University of KwaZulu-Natal, Edgewood Campus)

jennifer_sheokarah@yahoo.com

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Keep that Gold Shining (MAP Competition) by

Ngwenya Thabang (CEO and Co-Founder of Keep That Gold Shining, University of Pretoria)

tngwenya123@gmail.com

Keep That Gold Shining (KTG), in collaboration with the community-based project module (JCP) of the University of

Pretoria tutored Mathematics in the annual KTG Mathematics Accounting and Physical Sciences (MAP) competition

project. Grade 10, 11, and 12 learners were tutored by 43 JCP students and the majority of learners came from

Soshanguve (eMakhosini Combined Secondary School), Winterveldt (Tswaing Secondary School), and Hammanskraal

(Makgetsi Secondary School). At most 100 learners were involved in this year's program. The primary objective of

this program was not for the learners to compete with each other, but to get motivation from the concept of

competition.

Due to the pandemic, the MAP competition was held online. As a result, the program was not only limited to tutoring

mathematics. The JCP tutors went the extra mile to assist the learners with other subjects and also help Grade 12

learners with university applications. The JCP tutors conducted virtual sessions using Google Meet and Zoom;

however, WhatsApp was used as the primary form of communication between learners and their tutors. The scope

that was covered for mathematics was algebra, functions, analytical geometry, trigonometry, and number patterns.

>>>>>

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Faheem Ghafoor and Sumaiya Ismail (BCom Informatics), Masilo Mashele, Victor Motau and Dasrey Mothibi (BEng -

Mechanical Engineering ENGAGE)

The project was split into three phases (July, August and September); Phase A, Phase B and Phase C. During the initial

and second phases (Phases A and B), tutors spent enormous time presenting the sessions and giving assessments to

evaluate learners’ progress. One of exciting assignments that Tutors facilitated was BOATS (a programming game), and

learners were exposed to some programming skills through this assignment. Throughout the programme, one of the

challenges that tutors had to deal with was the participation of learners, which was poor in the last phase. This was mainly

because the learners had to cope with both schoolwork and the programme's work. Despite all this, the tutors managed

to grasp the problems that learners faced and helped them cope.

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Community engagement partnerships’ dynamics during COVID-19 by

Dr Eugene Machimana (Senior Education Consultant: Curricular Community Engagement – University of Pretoria)

eugene.machimana@up.ac.za

In South Africa, community engagement (CE) represents the concepts of knowledge and power

influenced by higher education (HE) at three levels, namely management, academic staff and the

community partners. At all three these levels it is acknowledged in CE partnerships that power and

knowledge are interrelated. In this specific power-relation dynamic, the community may feel

powerless when interacting with HE given that they have limited theoretical background of CE.

Shared voices and views of marginalised communities contribute significantly to the development

of pathways. Shared values engender trust and connect community partners, especially during

COVID-19, when social support is greatly needed. Edwardh, Burke and Lau (2011) state that

engagement with marginalised communities is effective when it develops leadership among citizens

and local organisations, provides training, develops relationships, and fosters collaboration. In this

context, it is important to understand the present world, together with the community partners who

are negatively affected by inequalities and power imbalances. As we know, COVID-19 did not

necessarily bring inequalities, but it highlighted the gap between the rich and the poor in society, to an even greater degree.

Insufficient attention to the voices of marginalised communities creates barriers in CE, thus hindering the promotion of social and

cognitive justice. Pitso (2014) writes that in HE there is a limited understanding of the third-sector organisations (NPOs – Non-

profit organisations), their functions and the kinds of capacity they require. Kaars and Kaars (2014) argue that knowledge

limitation applies to both partners (HE and community) in the CE partnership. Such limitations restrict NPOs’ >>>>>

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contributions to social and economic development of the communities they serve.

Although shared voices and views are crucial, HE can try to create an atmosphere of mutual conversation, but the community feels

inadequate due to emotional, mental and verbal restrictions. “A coin has two sides” and “it takes two to tango” are two well-known sayings

that illustrate the value of partners in a relationship. It takes both partners to make the relationship work, in the interest of developing a

just society. Both partners are equally important, as with the two sides of the same coin.

As we approach the end of 2020, I would like to thank everyone who contributed to social and cognitive justice as it relates to HE-CE

partnership. Students, staff members and community partners contributed in many ways to building mutually beneficial partnerships in the

midst of COVID-19. The University of Pretoria (UP) promoted the distribution of wealth and equitable provision for the marginalised, including

the distribution of power. This broadly relates to the benefits of CE-partnership as envisaged by the UP. CE partnerships were furthermore

conducted in a way that assisted and also recognised community partners as experts in their own right, in line with the principles of cognitive

justice.

Thanks once more to all of you for your invaluable contribution to HE-CE partnership. May you have a wonderful festive season with your

family and friends. Remember to adhere to the COVID-19 regulations and guidelines as you enjoy your holiday safely.

References

Edwardh, J., Burke, R., & Lau, R. (2011). Honouring the voices of marginalized communities: A participatory research experience. Burlington:

Community Development Halton.

Kaars, P., & Kaars, B. (2014). Views from inside a non-profit organisation: Facilitating reciprocal relations based on a shared value system.

In R. Albertyn, & M. Erasmus (Eds.), Knowledge as enablement: Engagement between higher education and the third sector in South

Africa (pp. 163–178). Bloemfontein: Sun Press.

Pitso, P. (2014). Factors that promote or hinder the voice of the third sector in public service delivery: Perspective on the Batho Pele

Principles. In R. Albertyn, & M. Erasmus (Eds.), Knowledge as Enablement: Engagement between higher education and the third sector

in South Africa (pp. 195–213). Bloemfontein: Sun Press.

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OUR LADY OF THE NILE [2012] & COCKROACHES [2006]

by Scholastique Mukasonga

*****

Reviewed by Dr. Betty Govinden (University of KwaZulu-Natal)

bettygovinden1944@gmail.com

Not many folk speak of Scholastique Mukasonga in South Africa, but it is certainly worth knowing about one of Rwanda’s and the continent’s most acknowledged writers.

While South Africa was celebrating its first democratic elections in 1994, Rwanda was going through a harrowing genocide, that pitted two kindred groups against each other – the Hutus and the Tutsis. The colonial authorities and the Catholic Church were largely responsible for creating what was effectively a pernicious caste system between the two groups. This animosity was played out in post-independent Rwanda, and divided them viciously against each other. The Rwandan genocide that followed is described as the most horrible human massacre since the extermination of the Jews by the Nazis. Mahmood Mamdani’s book, WHEN VICTIMS BECOME KILLERS – Colonialism, Nativism and Genocide In Rwanda [2001], gives a graphic account of that history, and is worth reading as well.

Mukasonga has written six different books that span a century of Rwandan history, from early colonialism in 1894, to the genocide, a century later. She writes of the loss of many members of her own family, of her escape to Burundi, and her exile in France. She also writes of the amazing tenacity of her mother, in the face of the plummeting political events around her family.

Mukasonga’s books, which include both memoir and fiction, have been described as a “paper grave” for those who have died, and show poignantly how mourning and survival are intertwined, and how “mis-education” can lead, disastrously, to genocide. There are many lessons to be learned from these sad annals of our collective histories.

*****

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BIZIMALI by

Mlungisi. V Hlabisa (Master of Education Candidate: University of KwaZulu-Natal, Edgewood Campus)

214536349@stu.ukzn.ac.za

You, who perfectly sits in Nhloshane between Mount Qhudeni and Samuna.

To most you are home of chances,

certainly not the first.

As many travel from all walks

For your Royal name sounds excellence:

Bizimali.

For Premiers and MECs,

Parents who birthed rebellions

You are the last hope.

Your educational rod restores respect, humility and life.

In your fertile soils

Futile seeds rupture to fruition

Dandelion Flowers bloom.

But next to you...

Oooh next to you

Lies Qhomoloza

Where infertile dreams are shuttered

Buried alive so that they suffocate to death

Dying a painful death.

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Grown men feed on drunken Lilies

Huffing and puffing,

As their counterpart sniff every drug available.

Oh Bizimali,

What a beautifully sad contrast you are!

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RESEARCH BYTES 8

Simmons (2010, p. 644) described community engagement as “everything from involvement in public issues, concerns, and debates to more activist praxis that dissolves the theory practice divide, to participatory-action research (PAR), built on co-operative co-citizenship, co-activism, and co-understandings of co-operative projects rooted in local contexts”.

The engaged civic university is “one which provides opportunities for the society of which it forms, it engages as a whole with its surroundings, not piecemeal” (Goddard, 2009, p. 5)

Fear, Rosaen, Bawden and Foster-Fishman (2006, p. xiii) define critical engagement as “opportunities to share knowledge and learn with those who struggle for social justice; and to collaborate…respectfully and responsibly for the purpose of improving life”.

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Student Excellence Awards and Engagements by

Dr Angela James and Phakamile Mazibuko

(Academic Leader: Community Engagement and Master of Education Candidate: University of KwaZulu-Natal, Edgewood Campus)

jamesa1@ukzn.ac.za; 215029257@stu.ukzn.ac.za

The School of Education, on the 18th December held the Virtual Student Excellence Awards 2020. What a fantastic event!!! A pre-recording of all undergraduate Bachelor of Education, Postgraduate Certificate in Education, Postgraduate Diploma in Education, Honours in Education and Masters in Education students who received Dean’s Commendation and Merit passes in 2019 was presented. A live recording presented awards for Excellence in Community Engagement, Distinguished Leadership, Teaching Practice Award, Top three students in each undergraduate year – B Ed and PGCE, Postgraduate Achievers (Honours and Masters), and the top 3 overall Academic Achievers Award, across all years (B Ed).

The School of Education Student Excellence Awards provides a great platform for students to celebrate their achievements

on academic, leadership and community engagement. 2020 has not been an easy year, institutions and individuals had to

adjust to new ways of doing things. It was exciting to be part of the first ever Virtual SOE Excellence Awards.

I am truly grateful to the School of Education for continuing to recognize excellence even in these trying times.

Lastly, I wish to send my warm regards to the SOE and UKZN community at large. May we continue to strive for excellence

and INSPIRE GREATNESS in spaces that we occupy.

Authors engaged in UNESCO milclicks Facebook on 17TH December

We received a call from Joe-Anna Pinard, Media and Information Literacy and Media Development Section, Communication

and Information Sector UNESCO for some artists to go live on UNESCO milclicks Facebook on the 17th of December. We

are happy to report that Ms Jennifer Sheokarah and Ms Tivana Chellan participated, sharing their poetry from the magazine.

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Eersterust moving forward: Love circle senior citizens club by

Josina Tellie (Love Circle Senior Citizens Club)

josinatellie1023@gmail.com

The last few months have been getting better for the community of Eersterust. Most of the community members are back

at work, although some work from home. Many people do not fully enjoy working from home because they feel uncertain

if their jobs are safe for 2021. The community realises the seriousness of COVID-19, but they still throw caution to the

wind by hardly wearing masks.

Our Love Circle Group is in a recess due to deaths in a family and one of the families who have all tested positive for

COVID-19. They will only return to the club in 2021 but will attend the club's closing lunch on 27 November 2020. Life at

the Mokukus (Shacks) is still the same with a difference that the Social workers, Victim Empowerment Centre (VEC), Social

Crime prevention and gender-based violence (GBV) awareness campaigns have been relatively busy in the area which is

of great help and everything seems quiet for now.

>>>>>

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The station commander is trying his utmost to curb crime, and crime statistics are low. While GBV has been

growing, victims are starting to speak up. The first Gender-Based Violence organisation, Elimination of All

Forms of Violence Against All People (EFVAP), has been registered. EFVAP is doing well, still operating from

my home. The organisation has partnered with the Victim Empowerment Centre, the South African Police

Service (SAPS) Crime Prevention Unit and a private nursing sister, who volunteers her service. They started a

GBV Support group for victims and survivors. We have clients that we refer to SAPS and the VEC to get them

to a home of safety, and this will be launched on the 22 November 2020. Our challenge is that we still need

an office to work from.

The community destroyed the post office because they did not get their R350 from the South African Social

Security Agency (SASSA) and the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF). Now everyone has to suffer because

of the damage done. The community youth formed a party called the Patriotic Alliance, and they are recruiting

members. The GOOD party is also very active, as are the ANC and DA.

The Eersterust Community Police Forum partnered with the Voice in Action and EFVAP to introduce

programmes at the schools, by engaging 50 learners per school to assist with challenges for 2021. The

programme is aimed at creating jobs and opportunities. A ray of light is that I received the Tshwane Woman

in Sports award on Friday, 13 November 2020 in recognition of being a winner in the Sports Confederation

President's Award. Five ladies in total received the award. What a way to end the year!

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FUTURE OF THE MAGAZINE

We have requested comments from editors and magazine creative piece submitters. Some comments:

I think we must continue with what we are currently focusing on in the Creative Network Magazine until the end of March 2021 (exactly 3

months) since the country has recently been hit by the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, I think the pandemic is still far from

being over looking at the current situation and statistics. It is here to stay with us. We will therefore decide on what to do when we approach

the end of March 2021 or even extend the current focus by a month of two if the pandemic continues to strike at us – Luthando Molefe.

Create URL for the Creative Network Magazine and consider producing two Magazines that comprise articles that are highlights for the year (one

mid-year and the other at the end of the year) – Dr Eugene Machimana

This magazine has served an important purpose this year. The writing/drawing/photographs and sharing of the creative pieces, highlighted the

concerns, challenges, progress, relationship, learning and emotions experienced, during this time of difference, 2020. We have much hope and

light for 2021. We intend to continue with the weekly publications, starting in the third week of January 2020. We are planning to introduce a

Community Engagement Journal in 2021 – watch the space. MANY THANKS TO ALL SUBMITTERS, EDITORS AND READERS. MAY YOU HAVE A

RELAXING, MEANINGFUL TIME. Dr Angela James

Creative Network Magazine Evaluation Dec 2020

We are requesting the readership and authors (submitters) to please respond to the magazine evaluation and submit it.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdy5CaK6-u7kdkcYaS73-

_tWWHeVFJBzC_JDLJ9zr3aBDDy_g/viewform?usp=pp_url

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ADVERTISEMENTS

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IMPORTANT NOTICES TO ALL AUTHORS

NOTICE 1 NOTICE 2

Dear Authors

Thank you so much to everyone who

submitted their great creative piece(s)

which were published in Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4,

5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and to those

whose pieces are in the current publication,

we are grateful for your amazing work.

Creative pieces in any language are

welcome.

Kindly please note that we ONLY publish 8–

10 “creative pieces” each week.

If your piece is not in the current

publication, it will be published the

following week.

Kind regards,

Creative Network Magazine Team

Dear Authors

Thank you so much to everyone who

submitted their great creative piece(s)

which were published in Volumes 1 - 38 and

to those whose pieces are in the current

publication, we are grateful for your

amazing work.

Creative pieces in any language are

welcome.

Kindly please note that we ONLY publish 8–

10 “creative pieces” each week.

If your piece is not in the current

publication, it will be published the

following week.

Kind regards,

Creative Network Magazine Team

Dear Authors

Whenever you submit your

creative piece to Dr. James, we

kindly and warmly request you to

please also send the following

note with your submission:

I ……………………… (Full name

and Surname) hereby grant

permission for the Creative

Network Magazine to publish my

submission (creative piece).

Kind regards,

Creative Network Magazine

Team