SA visit inspires Dutch student

Tomas van der Heide (18), an Education student at the Windesheim University in Zwolle, The Netherlands, is one of twelve Dutch students who have just returned to home soil after spending two weeks in South Africa, during which they taught at mostly poor and rural schools. Heita! chatted to him about the experience.

Tomas van der Heide (18), an Education student at the Windesheim University in Zwolle, with learners in one of the schools at which he taught in SA.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF SA? When I left the Netherlands, it felt as if I was flying to Southern France when looking down from the plane. But once I arrived at the airport in South Africa, I immediately felt the difference, mainly because of the hospitality I received from everyone. It was really heart-warming to see how people treat each other. SA even looked much more Western and developed than what I imagined. Later on, I was kindly surprised that it wasn’t the case at all.

WHAT IS THE MAJOR DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SCHOOLS IN YOUR

COUNTRY AND SOME OF THE SCHOOLS AT WHICH YOU’VE TAUGHT

IN SA? There is a big difference between the teaching material teachers have at their disposal. We use digiboards, PowerPoint, etc. to illustrate what we teach in class. But at rural schools, teachers don’t have these options. They usually explain the subject and students take notes. SA learners are way more motivated to learn something. I got the impression that they see it as a privilege to sit in a classroom, rather than a given. It was really inspiring to see.

DO YOU THINK SUCCESS IS DETERMINED BY THE TYPE OF SCHOOL

THAT YOU GO TO? Not necessarily. The teacher plays the largest role and if he/she isn’t passionate, learners won’t learn anything. Schools also play a role in how they enable teachers to do their job well by providing them with the necessary equipment, etc.

HOW DOES SA LEARNERS THAT YOU’VE MET DIFFER FROM DUTCH

LEARNERS? South African learners are way more motivated to learn. They motivate themselves, instead of teachers having to motivate them. They also cherish everything they have. I gave some of the learners pens, pencils and balloons and they were so happy with so little. In the Netherlands, learners tend to think that such things are normal to have.

• As part of an exchange programme between TUT and Windesheim, TUT Education students are handpicked to spend two weeks in the Netherlands once a year, during which they get to teach at Dutch schools, among others. In addition, Windesheim students visit South Africa annually, not only to experience the culture, but also to teach, mostly at rural schools in the Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal provinces.

>>> READ MORE ABOUT TOMAS’ EXPERIENCES ON PAGE 3.

WHAT, A CLASS OF 80 LEARNERS!

Teaching for a class of 80 learners is unheard of in the Netherlands, says Tomas van der Heide (18), a Dutch Education student. Here he shares more of his experiences of teaching at rural SA schools.

Tomas van der Heide (18) in his home country where he is studying to become a primary school teacher.

WHAT WAS THE FIRST THING

THAT YOU TOLD YOUR FAMILY

ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE

WHEN YOU RETURNED HOME? Certainly having to teach a class of about eighty learners. At home we only have classes of about twenty to thirty learners. To walk into a classroom with so many learners was a crazy but awesome experience.

WHAT WAS YOUR WEIRDEST

EXPERIENCE IN SA? Probably being treated like a celebrity at schools. After every class my fellow students and I had to take so many pictures with learners. It was so weird because in the Netherlands we are simply teachers.

WHAT WILL YOU NEVER FORGET

ABOUT THIS TRIP? Definitely the people. No matter where we went, there was always someone who received us with a kind of love which I had never experienced before. That love did not only come from learners, but also from teachers, TUT staff, students and guest families.

WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES OF A

GOOD TEACHER AND WHY DID

YOU DECIDE TO BECOME ONE?

It does not necessarily sit in the didactics, but rather in the pedagogy. Learners will probably not remember you for the subject that you taught, but for the kind of teacher you were. Build a strong relationship with learners. My mentor told me that if you do that, learners will go through walls for you.

I enrolled for teaching by accident. I always wanted to become a children’s doctor, but my marks didn’t allow for that. In addition, I was really bad at Biology, Maths and Science, so I had to choose something else. I looked around and opted for teaching and decided to become a primary school teacher. As a teacher, you have the chance to give learners tools to develop themselves. That’s the beauty of our job since there is almost no other job in which you can do that.

FIVE TUT EDUCATION STUDENTS

WILL TRAVEL TO YOUR COUNTRY

IN SEPTEMBER. DO YOU HAVE

ANY ADVICE FOR THEM? Enjoy your time while you are in the Netherlands and experience as much as possible. I trust that the exchange programme did not only inspire us to become better teachers, but that it will inspire you as well.

"Learners will probably not remember you for the subject that you taught, but for the kind of teacher you were."

Architecture students have been creating concrete furniture since 2014 as part of Pretoria’s Cool Capital Biennale. By now, you must have noticed, or even sat on, one of the series of ten benches they designed and which are featured at important nodes in the capital, such as the National History Museum, Museum Africa, Church Square and the Union Buildings. But what have they been up to this year? Students once again got their hands dirty and this time around designed smaller modular units in the form of 400mm cubes that act as seats. When arranged collectively, the units should read as a whole installation. The 2018 exhibition pieces were first placed on WF Nkomo Street, across the road from the Reserve Bank at the 012Central entrance. The installation has since found a permanent place of exhibition at bus stops on George Storrar drive in Groenkloof. Go check it out!

Well done to the design squad: Gail Bester, Zehann Burger, Eduan Coetzer, Dominic Farelo, Shawn Faurie, James Frost, Lourina Grobler, Siobhon Hill, Xander Jacobs, Louis Liebenberg, Itumeleng Llale, Raymond Lourens,Tawanda Magaya, Mfundo Mahlangu, Jean Marais, Juanette Markgraaff, Bususwe Mgwenya, Faith Mokoena, Matshepo Molotsi, Abel Mudau, Gericke Nel, Letlotlo Nkwadi, Lungile Ntuli, Masego Rakumakwe, Nicoline Roux, Ryan Sam, Tlhologello Sesana, Jan-Herdrik van Jaarsveld, Drikus van Tonder and Armandt van Zyl.

Honing his craft from a young age

TUT students are making their mark in every field of study possible. Soweto-born Dumisani Hlongwani, a Fine and Applied Arts student known for his unique drawings, is no exception. Nompumelelo Magagula met him.

Dumisane grew up in a family of artists and describes his childhood as the best because he could watch his older brother, Jabulani Shibambu, and father, Daniel, at work.

Daniel recalls that a young Dumisane could draw before he could even walk. “We were amazed by his talent and imagination. He used to draw cars and tell us to get inside them so that he could drive,” Daniel says.

While other Grade 1 learners were still learning how to draw, Dumisane already excelled at it. He says he would fight with his teacher for simply drawing sticks and saying that it was people. “My teacher would draw a circle and two dots and then tell us that it was a person. I would object because my brother had taught me how to draw a proper person,” he says wryly.

He adds that drawing does not really feel like work to him. “When I say I had a great day, it is when I did some art. I feel more relaxed when I am drawing.”

Initially, Dumisani dreamt of studying Architecture, because he took Maths and Physics at high school. However, he changed his mind after failing to write a selection test and thereafter considered studying art. He never formally applied. “I just went there with my work. They were so impressed by it and accepted me,” he adds.

Dumisani draws inspiration from his favourite South African artist, Diane Victor, and football player, Christiano Ronaldo. In his spare time, he likes playing soccer and chess. “I am also a map fanatic. I know every place you point out on a map,” he adds.

He dreams of having his own studio and becoming a well-known artist who is recognised internationally. “I actually want to challenge the world of the arts, which tends not to focus on the ability of the artist, but rather on the concept of the art,” he concludes.

One of Dumisani’s drawings.

When I say I had a great day, it is

when I did some art. I feel more

relaxed when I am drawing.

“