Tuesday 13 December 2016

ARROWSA Palmiet Nature Reserve educational programmes article in the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology School of Media and Communication Bulletin

Shared below is a link to an article written by Mary Lange and Luthando Ngema on the Palmiet Nature Reserve and the work done by ARROWSA there. The article was featured in the Communication for Development Bulletin Issue 2 by the School of Media and Communication at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.

You can download this Bulletin (or the previous issue) from the website of the Digital Ethnography Research Centre: http://digital-ethnogr aphy.com/publications/



Miliswa Magongo
ARROWSA Head: Media Portfolio



The ARROWSA educational programmes to the Palmiet Nature Reserve and the Bergtheil Museum will continue in 2017.  For more information or to make bookings contact Mary at marylange@telkomsa.net / 0826527091

Friday 14 October 2016

KALAHARI INTERCULTURAL EXCHANGE 2016

"The trip was splendid.  It was very exciting from day one till the last day..."  Mabutho



"The experience I had on this trip was one that I will never forget.  It taught me so many things that are essential for my growth as a young woman.  Things such as being independent and someone who is hands on and a good listener." Angela

"The things that I have done, saw, inspired me and helped me grow as a person.  People I have met made me realise that no matter what colour you are it doesn't matter we are all one..." Sanele

"My experience was a very nice experience because I got to see how other people survive in bad situations - like being unable to travel the world because of where you come from and what you have.  This trip taught me to be grateful for what I have and what I have achieved in life." Andile

"It was a phenomenal experience to really see and understand the world for myself, to interact with other people and look at the world from their point of view involving tradition and belief so that I wouldn't just believe the everyday stereotypes." Thabiso

A group of 8 ARROWSA participants went to the Kalahari in October for 8 days. The group included 5 male teenagers and 1 female - all ARROWSA Bechet participants between the ages of 15 and 19 years.  Leading the group were Mr Bhekithemba Dlamini (ARROWSA Bechet co-ordinator) and Ms Mary Lange (ARROWSA Chair). As outside funding was not available each participant and the production held by ARROWSA Bechet for the school and public had raised funds needed for the trip.

The trips to the Kalahari are one of ARROWSA's projects that aim to bring different cultures together in face-to-face meetings that promote knowledge and thereby breakdown negative stereotypes. This is the sixth ARROWSA Kalahari trip over the past 11 years.

Due to logistical reasons and funding challenges the teenagers flew to Cape Town from Durban with Mr Dlamini and Ms Lange drove them up to the Kalahari.  This gave them the opportunity to not only go to the Kalahari but also to see and visit Cape Town's natural and cultural heritage sites such as the beaches, Table Mountain, District Six Museum and the Company Gardens.  The group was also interested in seeing the townships in Cape Town, specifically one of the largest in South Africa - Khayelitsha.

"It also taught me things about our country and its history and cultures.  I personally would've loved to spend another week there.  This trip helped broaden my knowledge about nature  and its beautiful features. We live in a beautiful country and I am glad that AROWSA provided us with these opportunities."  Angela

The route to the Kalahari via Worcester in the Boland led to the group driving through one of the most beautiful areas of South Africa and they were fortunate to be in time to see masses of Namaqualand flowers and Cape flora.  They appreciated the contrast to the lush Cape of the Karoo and Kalahari.

The long trip from Cape Town to the Kalahari proper was broken by sleeping over in Upington enroute.  There the group was spoilt by the River City Inn owners and management and on the way back they got to visit the Fishers' home and share supper with them at the hotel. For some of the group this was a highlight as  to have their own hotel bed was wonderful!



"What a phenomenal experience I had in the upper life #Cape Town, Kalahari & Upington etc...I can actually write a book about the trip." Sanele

The journey into the desert was broken by stopping and meeting the South Roots team and Belinda Kruiper and Oom Oeliset Jan Org. Oom Oeliset shared words of wisdom with the group before he and Belinda returned to Botswana.



After a sweltering first day camping in the Kalahari proper at Kalahari Trails the desert became unusually cool for October.  A wonderful evening of interculural sharing was held with the visiting South Roots group on the first day around the fire.  After each group danced and leaders explained the context of their performance each individual from both ARROWSA Bechet and South Roots explained how they became involved in their particular group and what it meant to them.  The ARROWSA Bechet group did us proud with their dance and the confidence in which they spoke in front of strangers.  The leaders were impressed and surprised by the depth of their reflections on why they joined their groups and what they gained from them.

"I'd say my highlight was when we met the South Roots group and had a cultural exchange, and got to know each other.  And also meeting the Khoisan People, and seeing their craft work." Mabutho

On the second day in the Kalahari the ARROWSA group went into the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and standing on the Botswana side of the camp was a highlight for many of them.  A visit to some of the //Khomani crafters then followed.  Firstly Oom Dawid Gooi and his wife Bettie were visited at their stall on the side of the road and the group saw the traditional attire of the //Khomani and viewed and some ordered their crafts based on traditional practises.  Oom Patat was next to be visited and he kindly invited the group to view how he burnt images on bone using a heated piece of sharp iron. Some of the group also purchased crafts from Patat.



The teenagers were excellent in assisting with the preparation of lunches and the cooking of food on the fire each night in the Kalahari and many enjoyed eating food that was different to what they were used to eating at home.

Despite the mosquitos, the six males being squashed in a tent and the threat of scorpions in the sand at night the group made the most of the experience.  Early on the third morning the group were up and ready for a nature walk at Kalahari Trails.  The colony of rehabilitated meerkats accompanied the group and the presence of a number of baby meerkats not only led to much interest as they were fed by babysitter meerkats but also literally kept us on our toes ensuring that we were not nipped by their very protective mother Tigger. The nature walk was one of the highlights for some of the group as they learnt not only about the meerkats but about much of the fauna, flora and the geology of the Kalahari desert from Jaco.


                                     




Later that morning we once more visited Oom Dawid Gooi and Bettie and Oom Patat to pick up crafts that had been ordered.  Two of the young male teenagers were thrilled with the bone and beaded necklaces that they had ordered from Oom Dawid and how he had burnt their names on the bone - with a hashtag # infront of them!  We also were fortunate to catch Oom Isak Kruiper at his home just as he was on his way to lead a veld school.  He gave time to chat to Mary while the teenagers played with the pre-schoolers in his yard. 



That evening at the fire the reflection time that was part of every day's closure was especially meaningful as the group asked deep questions about the origins of the San and their own cultures in South Africa as well as religious beliefs and scientific theories of origins.  After this a fun photo shoot time was had on the nearby dune as the sunset.

 

The next morning was back on the long road to Upington.  A highlight for the group was a tour of the Protea Upington and Oasis hotels.  As some of the group were tourism and hospitaliy students the opportunity seemed appropriate.  Cooldrinks drunk at the splash pool in the Protea Upington courtyard gave the group a taste of the 'high life' and some expressed that it inspired them to strive to be successful one day.  A visit 

to the Fisher's home as previously mentioned followed and then a meal on the River City Inn stoep where the teenagers chatted to Devene and learnt a bit about Upington life. Carolin and Michael Fisher were impressed with the ARROWSA Bechet's performance that they did for them on the stoep and especially with the quality of choreography.

Enroute back to Cape Town the next evening the group once more slept at South Roots leader Shanette Martin's home and were thrilled at the supper she prepared for them.  Recipes for how to make 'English' mashed potatoes were shared.

After a visit to Gordon's Bay and a walk on the beach the group stopped at Mary Lange's flat in the Strand for a short while before making their way to the District Six Museum. Ex-resident Oom Noor was their guide and had them enraptured with his stories. They also met Ms Merel Godrie of the Netherlands at the museum.  A walk through the city past the parliament buildings led the group to the Company Gardens where they were intrigued by the begging squirrels.  The VOC vegetable and herb garden was visited before the group returned to the airport for their flight back to Durban.

"The Kalahari trip was a blissful experience.  Quite a few highlights for me included meeting the Khoisan people, seeing Robben Island, seeing Table Mountain and visiting District Six Museum. What I came back with was a sense of self, a discernment and unified leadership." Lungelo

"I've really grown as a person to appreciate and have gratitude for the many opportunities and privileges that I have available." Thabiso"

"This trip has had a positive impact on me, it has helped me to grow as a person and has made me realise that I am my own leader and I should not depend on anyone to lead me." Mabutho

"At the first ARROWSA Bechet group meeting on their return the 6 learners that went to the Kalahari each shared feedback/reflection about the trip. It was wonderful as they gave very positive feedback and they encouraged the rest of the group." Bheki 

"Appreciate what you have now while it still lasts" was a statement that was said by one of the group members of South Roots.  I really appreciate everything that everyone did who made this trip a success for me, its such a blessing...I really appreciate it...I really enjoyed myself." Sanele






Monday 15 August 2016

ARROWSA collaborated once more with 

the Durban University of Technology's 

Jewellery and Design Department 

August 2016 (3rd to 19th)


Photos by ARROWSA management Luthando Ngema and Lauren Dyll-Myklebust

                                                

The opening of this yearly event by DUT art gallery manager and ARROWSA management Francesca Verga not only showcases the creative skills of the DUT students but also gave the ARROWSA Bechet group led by Bhekithemba Dlamini an opportunity to showcase their dancing, singing and poetry skills. 

            



A group of 20 learners represented the ARROWSA Bechet group and performed a version of their eThekwini Local History Museum's Abasha Bash programme "Freedom is not Free" that got them a place in the semi-finals.









Also See:
http://radiodut.co.za/arrow-collaborates-with-jewellery-and-design-department-at-the-latest-exhibition/

Tuesday 19 July 2016

ARROWSA Bechet team off to Indra Congress Bethlehem

ARROWSA Bechet Co-ordinator Bhekithemba Dlamini and ARROWSA participant Nonhle Ndwalane flew off to Bethelehem on the 18th July for the week long Indra Congress.  At the congress Bheki will present at the symposium of practitioners and academics and he and Nonhle will perform at the Indra Group presentation afternoon.  They will also share South African culture at the Intercultural sharing evening.  Everyday workshops will be presented on drama, dance, music or visual arts.  The workshops will culminate in a festival at the end of the week. Their attendance is partially funded by the British Council.





The Indra Congress Bethlehem's schedule below:

Date
Morning 1
10.00 – 11.15
Morning 2
11.30 – 1.00 pm
Lunch Break at University
1.00-2.00
Afternoon 1
2.00 – 3.30
Afternoon 2
3.30 – 5.00
Evening
7.00
Sunday 17th of July
Free activities
Free activities
Lunch


Opening & Welcome
Music Concert or Dance performance
Monday 18th July
-          Welcome
-          Workshops
Dance –Circus –Theater – Puppetry & Street Parades
Core symp/Co-ordinators
-          Workshops
Dance –Circus –Theater – Puppetry & Street Parades

Lunch
Symposium
Indra Groups Presentations
4 groups
Theater Performance by Al-Harah
Tuesday 19th July
-          Workshops
Dance –Circus –Theater – Puppetry & Street Parades
Co-ordinators

-          Workshops
Dance –Circus –Theater – Puppetry & Street Parades
Symposium core group
Lunch
Symposium
Visit to Hebron
All
Social
Cultural sharing
Wednesday 20th July
-          Workshops
Dance –Circus –Theater – Puppetry & Street Parades
Symposium core group
-          Workshops
Dance –Circus –Theater – Puppetry & Street Parades

Lunch
Symposium
Indra Groups Presentations
4 groups
Tour in Bethlehem Area
Dinner at Ein Restaurant in Makhrour
Music evening
Thursday 21st  July
-          Workshops
Dance –Circus –Theater – Puppetry & Street Parades
Symposium core group
-          Workshops
Dance –Circus –Theater – Puppetry & Street Parades

Lunch
Trip to Dead Sea & Jericho
or
 Jerusalem
Dead Sea & Jericho
or
 Jerusalem
Dead Sea & Jericho
or
 Jerusalem
Friday 22nd  July
All Day rehearsal
Symposium 6
All Day rehearsal
Symposium 6
Lunch
All Day rehearsal
Symposium 6
All Day rehearsal
Symposium 6
Presentations
Saturday 23rd July
Local Visits
Presentations from Local Civil Society Organisations
Lunch
Free Exchange visits between young people
Evaluation

Sunday 24th of July
Local Visits
Free time
Lunch
Evaluation
Good Bye
Celebrations
Monday 25th of July
Departure






Bechet High ARROWSA

shine at  the finals of 

Ethekwini Abasha Bash Passbook Competition 2016


Led by Bechet High educator Bhekithemba Dlamini the group performed their devised programme on the theme 'Freedom is not for Free' at the Westville Civic Centre in June 2016.  The participants said it was an unforgettable exciting experience to be able to perform on such a big stage in front of a large audience.


In the July school holidays the Bechet Abasha Bash learners visited Ethekwini Local History Museums: Cato Manor; Old House and Bergtheil.  At the museums they had their 'passbooks' stamped as part of their participation in the Ethekwini Abasha Bash Passbook Competition.  They wait with great anticipation to hear the results of the competition at the Prize Giving in September 2016.



Thursday 21 April 2016

PALMIET NATURE RESERVE 

ARCHAEOLOGICAL COMMUNITY WALK 2016

ARROWSA once more led a community educational activity at the Palmiet Nature Reserve thanks to  an invitation from Warren Friedman and Jean Senogles of the Palmiet Nature Reserve Committee. Thanks to Palmiet Nature Reserve staff Sandile for facilitating the use of the well kept hall and premises at the reserve.

Mary Lange, ARROWSA Chair and facilitator, once more led a community walk in the Palmiet Nature Reserve to the iGwalagwala Cliff archaeological dig in March 2016.  Mary started the morning with a brief introduction to the physical evidence found in the area before the group went on a walk to the site.  Due to a massive storm in Durban prior to the walk the dig had a large amount of soil washed into it despite the tarpaulin cover. After the walk interest was shown by other tourist sites for Mary to take their guides on the walk as part of their training in the use of experiential and interactive tour guiding.









Palmiet Nature Reserve and Bergtheil Museum partnership with eThekwini Local History Museums' Passbook Competition continues-

March-April school visits 

Yellowwood Primary School grade 5’s visited the Palmiet Nature Reserve and the Bergtheil Museum in March 2016. Over 130 learners and the teachers attended and their visit was part of the Local History Museum's Passbook Competition.



Nature walks were led by Palmiet Nature Reserve Committee members Jean Senogles and Warren Friedman. ARROWSA chair and facilitator,  Mary Lange, introduced the learners to physical evidence of the cross cultural occupation of the iGwalagwala shelter and surrounding areas in prehistory and recent history.




Big thanks to the Palmiet Nature Reserve field rangers Jeremiah Sihlangu, Philip Mnembe and Sandile Duma for their great help.


The learners picnicked at the Palmiet Nature Reserve before going on to the Bergtheil Museum. At the Bergtheil Museum historian Alvine Calboutin facilitated the learners tour of the museum.  Gogo Aslina Madikizela and Mary entertained and educated the learners in the Bergtheil Museum's teaching room with oral narratives.

In April 2016 Reservoir Hills Primary School visited the Palmiet Nature Reserve, Bergtheil Museum and Pinetown Museums as part of the eThekwini Local History Museums' Passbook Competition. 


Resmount Primary School's Grade 6 (88 learners)  and Grade 5 (92 learners) classes attended the Palmiet Nature Reserve on the 13th and 14th April 2016 respectively. Their experiential environmental awareness  and cultural usage of the natural heritage by inhabitants of the PNR's past  was facilitated by Mary (ARROWSA) , Jean (PNR Committee), Johannes, Phillip and Sandile (PNR field rangers). Nick Evans also presented on both days an experiential interactive educational talk on snakes and  myths and reality related to them . 


The school's attendance was part of the eThekwini Passbook Competition and they therefore went on to the Bergtheil Museum after the Palmiet Nature Reserve in order to view the exhibition on the Palmiet Nature Reserve and other cultural artefacts linked to the area's heritage. At the Bergtheil Mary and Alvine facilitated the museum tours. Before the learners visited the exhibition at the Bergtheil Alvine linked the museum to the Palmiet by showing the learners large photographs of early settlers holding rock pythons that were hunted in the Palmiet area.  



She also told them a story of the Koningkramer boy who had an encounter with a Rock Python in the Palmiet area. She emphasised that these reptiles are now protected in the Palmiet Nature Reserve.