Not Ready For Goodbye
Aberdeen is not ready for goodbye,
Nor so long or see ya later.
Not ready for the end,
Not ready for this reality.
Our small dorpie is not ready for this life,
One without you tatu Tyhopho , Xhamela Nokwindla.
We are not ready for your goodbye.
maybe someone else's,
anyone else's,
just not yours,
never ever yours.
Death doesn't become you,
It isn't your best colour,
So could they change the prognosis,
Tell us it was just a mistake,
Just another mis-diagnosis.
Please remind Aberdeen you are indestructible,
Just like we always used to believe,
Tell us you are still our guardian,
And still going to be living.
Please tell us Ngwevu yakuthi ,
You will still always be our best friend.
Please tell Aberdeen you will never leave us,
And you will be here till the end.
Tell Thembalesizwe we having a nightmare,
And will wake up in the morning,
With all these things being nothing but another forgotten dream.
Tell the world you will always love Aberdeen,
And stay with us,
Our selfishness wants you to always stay by our side.
Knowing that you are going to be gone,
Won't make your leaving any easier.
Aberdeen loves you so much Ngwevu ka Tyhopho,
Infinity and Beyond.
Know sapho luka Xhamela and Aberdeen are all feeling a little bit sad,
That we've lost ingwevu eqotho and our Grandpa, our friend and our Dad
Together we have cried an ocean of tears
As we feel so empty and hold many fears
But utatu Nokwindla would want us to know he's in a good place
And that he's watching us all with a smile on his face
As we have made him so proud, as proud as can be
That he has raised such a beautiful and special family yakwa tyhopho and Aberdeen
Thinking back now, I really must say
I feel lucky and privileged to have known lengwevu ka Xhamela to this day
For in my life, you have played a special part
The memories I will treasure and keep close to your heart...
Xolani lusapho luka Xhamela - all I can say lets not cry but celebrate his life - mzi wase Abza . Amade ntozakuthi nganetyala nde gaammmmm.
Tribute Written By: Lulamile Klassen
Monday, September 14, 2009
Monday, September 7, 2009
Aberdeen Primary School Named First Full-Service School In Graaff-Reinet Education District
On Thursday, 3 September, Aberdeen Primary School was announced as the first Full-Service School in the Graaff-Reinet Education District at a workshop presented by Andre Bouwer of the Directorate of Inclusive Education under the auspices of the Department of Education.
The aim of the workshop was to introduce educators, stakeholders and community members to the concept of Inclusive Education through the conversion of an existing primary school to a Full-Service School (FSS) which is defined as "a mainstream school that provides quality education by accommodating all learners in an equitable manner striving to achieve access, equity, quality and social justice".
The FSS concept was launched in 2001 when the Department of Education proposed a policy entitled Education White Paper – 6 whereby strategies were outlined for addressing disparities in the provision of education for learners with specific barriers such as physical disabilities, socio-economic issues and infrastructure and curriculum obstacles.
The conversion of Aberdeen Primary School into a FSS is not without its own obstacles. Currently classified as a Quintile 3 School (no-fee school), Aberdeen Primary receives all its funding from the Department of Education. This means that all monies received are strictly controlled and may only be used in terms of departmental guidelines and structures. Accordingly, there are no additional funds available for additional educators, support staff, educational equipment or even the re-establishment of the library.
Given these constraints, the school has approached members of the community with a view to devoting one hour per week to alleviate the burden on the teachers by engaging in more concentrated learning with children across the educational spectrum. Special needs children will receive more focused attention in areas of difficulty, while gifted children will be provided with more challenging activities to ensure sustained stimulation and interest.
Members of the Aberdeen community who have already given their undertaking to assist with additional classes are: Professor O Meyers, Mr G Botha, Mrs P Marx, Pastor Jonas, Mrs S Jankovich, Mr N Jankovich, Mrs S Wood and Ramsay McCaull and Ernest Rajcumar of Mediaworks.
Aberdeen Primary School has taken on the responsibility of becoming a Model Inclusive School, serving as an example for other schools to follow. The success or failure of this project depends to a large extent on community involvement, so if any member of the Aberdeen community would like to be a part of this ground-breaking initiative, please contact the school on 049-846-0031.
The aim of the workshop was to introduce educators, stakeholders and community members to the concept of Inclusive Education through the conversion of an existing primary school to a Full-Service School (FSS) which is defined as "a mainstream school that provides quality education by accommodating all learners in an equitable manner striving to achieve access, equity, quality and social justice".
The FSS concept was launched in 2001 when the Department of Education proposed a policy entitled Education White Paper – 6 whereby strategies were outlined for addressing disparities in the provision of education for learners with specific barriers such as physical disabilities, socio-economic issues and infrastructure and curriculum obstacles.
The conversion of Aberdeen Primary School into a FSS is not without its own obstacles. Currently classified as a Quintile 3 School (no-fee school), Aberdeen Primary receives all its funding from the Department of Education. This means that all monies received are strictly controlled and may only be used in terms of departmental guidelines and structures. Accordingly, there are no additional funds available for additional educators, support staff, educational equipment or even the re-establishment of the library.
Given these constraints, the school has approached members of the community with a view to devoting one hour per week to alleviate the burden on the teachers by engaging in more concentrated learning with children across the educational spectrum. Special needs children will receive more focused attention in areas of difficulty, while gifted children will be provided with more challenging activities to ensure sustained stimulation and interest.
Members of the Aberdeen community who have already given their undertaking to assist with additional classes are: Professor O Meyers, Mr G Botha, Mrs P Marx, Pastor Jonas, Mrs S Jankovich, Mr N Jankovich, Mrs S Wood and Ramsay McCaull and Ernest Rajcumar of Mediaworks.
Aberdeen Primary School has taken on the responsibility of becoming a Model Inclusive School, serving as an example for other schools to follow. The success or failure of this project depends to a large extent on community involvement, so if any member of the Aberdeen community would like to be a part of this ground-breaking initiative, please contact the school on 049-846-0031.
Article By: Samantha Jankovich
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Aberdeen CPF Exco Elected
Dept Safety and Liaison and SAPS(fltr) Supt. Siyaya, Ayanda Tyokwana,
Alfred Mangcingwana, Capt. Minnaar
On Tuesday, 11 August 2009, a meeting was held at Thembalesizwe Community Hall to elect a new Community Policing Forum (CPF) committee to serve the community of Aberdeen.
In line with the new formalised approach to community policing by the Department of Safety and Liaison, the election was overseen by two representatives from the Department, Alfred Mangcingwana and Ayanda Tyokwana. In addition, observers were sent from the Graaff-Reinet cluster including Superintendant Siyaya, Inspector Theron and Inspector Van Rooyen. Inspector Stofile and Inspector Dunster, representing SAPS in Somerset East and Pearston respectively, also attended the meeting.
Mr Mangcingwana opened the meeting by outlining the roles and responsibilities of the CPF and highlighted the importance of three pronged approach to community policing involving the CPF, the Department of Safety and Liaison and SAPS in combating crime.
Mr Tyokwana then co-ordinated the voting, which was held via a secret ballot. Only those present from the various stakeholders were eligible for election.
In line with the new formalised approach to community policing by the Department of Safety and Liaison, the election was overseen by two representatives from the Department, Alfred Mangcingwana and Ayanda Tyokwana. In addition, observers were sent from the Graaff-Reinet cluster including Superintendant Siyaya, Inspector Theron and Inspector Van Rooyen. Inspector Stofile and Inspector Dunster, representing SAPS in Somerset East and Pearston respectively, also attended the meeting.
Mr Mangcingwana opened the meeting by outlining the roles and responsibilities of the CPF and highlighted the importance of three pronged approach to community policing involving the CPF, the Department of Safety and Liaison and SAPS in combating crime.
Mr Tyokwana then co-ordinated the voting, which was held via a secret ballot. Only those present from the various stakeholders were eligible for election.
Aberdeen CPF Executive Committee
Back (fltr): Supt. Siyaya, Moses Dunjana, Lucky Mahale, Funeka Maya, Jackie McMahon, Capt. Minnaar
Front (fltr): Sandiswa Alam, Masterboy Blaai, Thembisa Nonnies, Samantha Jankovich
The Aberdeen CPF committee comprises:
Chairperson: Masterboy Blaai
Vice-Chairperson: Thembisa Nonnies
Secretary: Samantha Jankovich
Treasurer: Jackie McMahon
Public Relations Officer: Moses Dunjana
Additional committee members: Lucky Mahale, Funekwa Maya and Sandiswa Alam
Ex Officio members: Ward Councillors Vuyisile Jacobs and Maureen Jacobs
Captain Minnaar, Station Commissioner of the Aberdeen Police Station wished the committee luck and reinforced the responsibility with which the committee had been entrusted on behalf of the community. He went on to state that within that function, the CPF would be the moral guardians of the community and that those values which they teach in their own homes should be enforced within the community.
Superintendant Siyaya, on behalf of Director Trollip, congratulated the new committee. She reiterated the call for the return of values to the community and emphasized the partnership and joint problem solving role of the CPF in conjunction with SAPS.
Article By: Samantha Jankovich
MPP Fun League
The Department of Sports and Recreation launched the Siyadlala Mass Participation Programme in 2008. The MPP is a community-based sports developmental programme aimed at "the development of sport in communities" and "the development of communities through sport".
While the programme does not provide any funding, it does assist with sporting equipment where possible, as well as promotional materials and catering costs for large sporting events.
The Co-ordinator for the programme for the Aberdeen hub is Masterboy Blaai, who also coaches one of the Aberdeen soccer teams, the Conquering Lions. Currently, there are several soccer teams involved in the Siyadlala MPP Fun League, including Pystor Football Club, Seven Leaves and the junior squad from Young Blues.
The various clubs organize matches every Sunday, which are held on the Thembalesizwe Sports Grounds.
Last Sunday, the Conquering Lions were resplendent in their new uniforms which were sponsored by Lucky Seven, through Piet May, owner of Mzamomhle Shop in Thembalesizwe.
The afternoon's activities began with a friendly match between the junior and senior squads of the Young Blues club, which was won 5-3 by the juniors. The main match was a "David and Goliath" affair between Pystor Football Club (all senior players) and the Conquering Lions, of whom the oldest is only 17. Pystor were victorious in a 5-4 nail biter.
While the resources and facilities available to these sportsmen are severely limited, the passion, enthusiasm and commitment of the supporters, coaches and players is exceptional.
While the programme does not provide any funding, it does assist with sporting equipment where possible, as well as promotional materials and catering costs for large sporting events.
The Co-ordinator for the programme for the Aberdeen hub is Masterboy Blaai, who also coaches one of the Aberdeen soccer teams, the Conquering Lions. Currently, there are several soccer teams involved in the Siyadlala MPP Fun League, including Pystor Football Club, Seven Leaves and the junior squad from Young Blues.
The various clubs organize matches every Sunday, which are held on the Thembalesizwe Sports Grounds.
Last Sunday, the Conquering Lions were resplendent in their new uniforms which were sponsored by Lucky Seven, through Piet May, owner of Mzamomhle Shop in Thembalesizwe.
The afternoon's activities began with a friendly match between the junior and senior squads of the Young Blues club, which was won 5-3 by the juniors. The main match was a "David and Goliath" affair between Pystor Football Club (all senior players) and the Conquering Lions, of whom the oldest is only 17. Pystor were victorious in a 5-4 nail biter.
While the resources and facilities available to these sportsmen are severely limited, the passion, enthusiasm and commitment of the supporters, coaches and players is exceptional.
Article By: Samantha Jankovich
Conquering Lions
Pystor FC
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
SAPS & Aberdeen Town SPF Visit Aberdeen Primary School
As part of their ongoing commitment to fostering good relations between Aberdeen SAPS and the community of Aberdeen Town, the Sector Policing Forum (Sector 1) organized a visit to Aberdeen Primary School on Monday morning (August 3) during the school's assembly.
This visit was the first in a series of planned monthly talks in which the police will be addressing relevant issues with the children around crime and personal safety.
It was determined that the first address would be informal in nature with a view to introducing the police and the SPF to the children and building a rapport for future talks. In addition, it is of critical importance that children be made to understand that they can play a part in crime prevention and that there exists a place of safety for them in the event of them being a victim of a crime.
The children were addressed by Inspector Renee Sweetland, Sector Manager for Sector 1. She was accompanied by Samantha Jankovich, Chairperson of the SPF, as well as Inspector Dalmé Sweetland and two trainee constables, Constable Mngasi and Constable Kombella.
Inspector Sweetland introduced the group to the children and invited them to ask questions around the law, the work of the police and crime. Once the initial shyness had worn off, a number of questions were asked, which Inspector Sweetland answered thoroughly and in a manner in which even the smallest child could understand. The question and answer session was interspersed with singing by the children, accompanied by clapping and actions performed with great gusto.
Inspector Sweetland also touched briefly on domestic violence, which will be the theme for the next talk.
Inspector Sweetland also touched briefly on domestic violence, which will be the theme for the next talk.
The Aberdeen SAPS and Sector Policing Forum would like to thank Mrs Van der Merwe, Principal of Aberdeen Primary School, her staff and the wonderful children for giving them the opportunity to address the school.
Article By: Samantha Jankovich