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Ambassador Stories

TEACH Ambassadors are selected based on their achievement at university, their leadership qualities, as well as other key characteristics that are critical to their success in schools. Significant changes have been recorded in the classrooms in which TEACH Ambassadors have worked, particularly with the cohorts of 2009 and 2010.

Leading through Teaching

My name is Brandon Raubenheimer, I am 25 years old and I’m a TEACH Ambassador. I teach English at a school called Fumana Comprehensive in Katlehong on the East Rand of Johannesburg where I try to make a difference in the lives of the children.

As a TEACH Ambassador you are required to do a project that involves the learners, teachers and the community as a whole. I chose to start a soccer tournament during class breaks which kicked off in the last week of July 2010 after the very exciting World Cup. The learners usually spend their breaks just sitting in the sun, so the tournament provided them with an enjoyable and positively interactive alternative to boredom.

Fumana Comprehensive doesn’t have many resources including the necessary equipment or infrastructure for the tournament. I solved this problem by finding a piece of unused land on the school grounds and I went around to schools in the area to borrow hockey goalposts. I also received a sponsorship for soccer balls from my mentor, Andile Ncontsa, who worked at Old Mutual at the time.

The tournament was incredibly successful. From day one the vuvuzelas blew loudly at break time, both boys and girls took part and corridor chatter excitedly discussed who was playing and who was winning. Other teachers loved the effect the tournament had on the learners and parents were happy that their children were involved in fun, positive activity.

My main goal for 2011 for the learners that I teach, is to encourage and develop the soccer tournament as it is a positive influence on the community as a whole.

Read Brandon’s full profile here.

Meet TEACH Ambassador Meurial Magaya

Meurial Magaya holds an MSc in Geophysics. As a TEACH Ambassador for 2009, she was placed at Erasmus Monareng Secondary School on the East Rand, Johannesburg, teaching Physical Science to Grade 11 learners.

Upon her arrival at the school, Meurial was faced with the challenge of providing practical lessons within an under-resourced and under-utilised science laboratory. In trying to bridge the gap between practical and theoretical learning, Meurial offered her extra time to learners. Her dedication and determination resulted in a high pass rate from her learners in that year. She was asked to teach Grade 12s in 2010 because of the positive impact she had.

Read Meurial’s full profile here.