By Zwakele Ngubane and Bérénice de la Croix
The phrase “it takes a village to raise a child” originates from an African proverb and conveys the message that it takes many people to provide a safe, healthy environment for children, where children are given the security they need to develop and flourish, and to be able to realise their hopes and dreams.
A safe, healthy environment for children is needed even more when we live in a society with high divorce rates, teenage pregnancies, broken families, sharp inequality and child-headed households – a grim reality in South Africa for many young people.
Therefore, fostering and promoting a sense of community, compassion and care is becoming more critical as we need to help each other fill the gaps. Indeed, many compassionate people amongst us step in to care for, protect, nurture, guide, support and mentor.
Many initiatives demonstrate this “spirit” of what can best be described as ubuntu.
The Durban University of Technology School Engagement Project (DUT SEP) is one such initiative that attempts to make a difference. The project, launched in 2018, involves seven partner schools, approximately 30 DUT students, several staff members from various DUT departments and external partners.
Young people are the future and need to know they are worth investing in. Through participating in holistic education opportunities, the gifts of our youth are unlocked for their benefit and the benefit of society.
With increasing unemployment and joblessness, it is vital that our young people access and develop their confidence, vision and creativity. These life skills are invaluable in both formal employment and entrepreneurial endeavours.
Every society needs ethical leaders to function effectively. Currently, we have a deficit of ethical leaders in all sectors of society, in South Africa and globally; through values-based education interventions such as DUT’s School Engagement Project, our young people are stepping forward as ethical, skilled, visionary leaders.
As one of its key strategic pillars, DUT embraces the tenet of being an engaged University. With this, comes a commitment to be socially responsible and responsive to local, regional and national needs. DUT SEP is an example of engagement in action and fully embodies this critical but often neglected responsibility. It enables DUT students and staff to be engaged in a worthwhile community initiative which enhances the education of both school learners and university students.
The project is informed by Otto Scharmer’s Theory of Change, Theory U, in which he posits that conscious, values-based leadership can give rise to strategic social change. Using his experience working with some of the world’s most successful leaders and innovators, Scharmer shows in Theory U: Leading from the Future as it Emerges, how groups and organisations can develop conscious leadership in order to implement sustainable solutions to socio-economic challenges.
On this premise, the project seeks to impact young people multi-dimensionally through the seven project pillars: Tuition in Gateway subjects, Peace Clubs, Social Entrepreneurship Clubs, Talent Show, Sports Tournament, Career Guidance and Super Chefs Competition. These project pillars are points of leverage that support one another to create inclusive and invigorated educational environments where skilled, ethical leaders can emerge.
A project review is conducted every year, and project stakeholders have consistently indicated the significant contribution that the project is making to academic progress and the development of entrepreneurial and values-based leadership skills.
Ngubane is Chair of the DUT School Engagement Project and De la Croix is the Project Manager.
INSIDE EDUCATION
