Wynpress - Term 4, 2019

wynpress

WYNBERG GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOLÂ

VISION

TERM 4 2019 ISSUE

Contents Editor's Letter - Kelly Blake There is still time left - Khanyisile Cotani Dear Grade Nines- Summer Dreyden You cannot have clear vision without healthy eyes -Lieschen Natus Been there,done that..or have I? - Jade Irvine-Smith A glimpse into the future of our planet- Lois Flandorp Veganism: A look into the lives -Sage Seef It's time for plan B - Liezaan Bosch Vision for the future of South African Women -Sadie Kennedy Our country is crying (Poem) - Leah Brown A Vision of Strong and Powerful Women - Jenna Ryklief Teachers: Paving the Way for New Visions - Lara Marais

Editor's Letter

“Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world.” -Joel A.Barker. As we draw to the end of a year, it is normal for us to plan for the upcoming year. 2020 will be a year filled with exciting events and changes. The 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games are taking place as well as the US Presidential Elections. The winds of change will also be sweeping through our very own school with the arrival of our new principal, Ms Wallace in the new year. 2020 will also bring about an entire year of bad puns about vision. I can see it clearly. The newly elected Wynpress committee for 2019/2020 decided to use vision as the theme for our first issue as it is quite fitting, seeing as we are two months away from 2020. Our writers were given free reign and were encouraged to interpret this theme however they wished which provided a diverse range of articles. These articles range from how to take care of your eyes to the vision for the women of South Africa which means that there is something for everyone in this issue. If you would like to write an article for Wynpress, please contact Kelly Blake (20kelbla@wynghs.co.za) - Kelly Blake

There is still time left!

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t. You’re right.” -Henry Ford.

The above quote emphasizes the attitude which one has to success or failure, specifically this emphasizes our attitudes which we have to our successes or failures. For many, the year 2019 has come with its ups and downs, and as we find ourselves coming to the end, we realize that the goals and things we wished for ourselves have slowly faded along the way. However, in these last 84 days it’s not to say we cannot turn things around and change our year for the better and, as a result, this article will be giving you 3 ways you can make 2019 Your Year.

Mindset:One of the many things which obstruct us, as students, from living our lives to the full would be our mindsets. We are not aware that an important factor influencing our success or failure is the mindset which we have, as what we think about constantly has a direct effect on what our behavior will be.

Now, as students, it is of utmost importance

to change our mindset, as studies show that mindset deals with perspective as well. A healthy and positive mindset is one that gets us far in life as soon as we decide to change the world for ourselves. By changing our mindset we’ll realise that life is not as hard as we make it. Now changing our mindsets might not be easy for most of us, but it is important to try little by little so we can slowly reach that end goal. Small steps such as waking up and telling ourselves that we will have a good day or changing the attitude which we have when walking into a maths class will encourage good thoughts and that on its own is a small change in mindset which can have a massive impact on the rest of our day and on our lives.

Set goals:This is something that is constantly mentioned. As annoying as it may sound, it is the truth. The one way in which we shall be able to reach these goals is by physically writing them down, breaking them up into little goals, and being specific with what we aim to achieve. Writing down a big goal tends to be overwhelming and far- fetched, especially if we don’t know how to get there.

That’s where setting little goals which will allow us to achieve that goal comes in. Setting little goals allows us to be on the path to reaching this goal without the feeling of being overwhelmed and stressed. It also allows for mistakes to occur. When things don’t go as planned, we can change that around and seek another way because, essentially, there never is truly one path to greatness. The last thing which correlates with setting goals is to be specific. Nothing vague has a clear result and the same goes for many of our goals. When we are more specific with our goals, we can reach them more easily as it makes us want to ensure that we do reach and achieve them. With the research done in 2015, it is evident that most people who specifically wrote down what their goals actually achieved them compared to people who just wrote one big goal. This shows that the reason most of our goals fail is that there is no substance to them, and as soon as we can change that, great results will be seen.

Have a break! School, family, friends, social media, etc. can become stressful and overwhelming, this is when we need a break, and, perhaps, a KitKat. It’s something we all know and want, but for which we never seem to have time (or so we say...) Breaks are essential for our health, whether it be our physical or mental health. We all do need a break to repair and restore. However, in our constantly busy lives, we never have time for these breaks. I would like to suggest that in the last few days of 2019 we need to take breaks either to reflect on ourselves and how far we’ve come; breaks to get some rest or even breaks from some toxic relationships.. Whatever aspect it is, we need to understand that breaks are key. Many of us say we have no time for these breaks, but constantly spend our time on social media on stuff that does not benefit or grow us when we could be taking breaks or doing something effective and productive. As it is the last days of 2019 we must spend our time doing things that will either grow us, grow others or, at least, not take a negative toll on our well being as we start preparing for the new year. What we do in these last days will slightly determine how we go into the new year and even possibly determine the 2020 goals we set for ourselves. But before I start preaching let's go back to talking about the breaks I speak of. The breaks will be working on our sleep schedules: there is nothing more important than having a well-rested body and mind as it allows for focus as well as growth. And secondly, take a break from social media. This can go in the form of deleting the app or even logging out for just a day, nevertheless doing this prevents many of us from wasting our evenings and will allow for necessary work to be completed, and can even can result in sleeping earlier.

It may not be easy, and it may not seem easy but it is possible. All we need to do is take time to put ourselves and our well being first and we’ll realise that it was not that difficult in the first place.

“If you deliberately plan to be less than you are capable of being, then you will be unhappy for the rest of your life”.

- Khanyisile Cotani

Dear Grade 9s Dear Grade Nines, it has been a long year. You've been through some challenging tests and harder exams, but have hopefully had some fun along the way. There have been camps, outings and defined classes. You've chosen your subjects! The latter is not an easy task. Now that it’s over, the question on every Grade Nine’s mind is: will grade 10 be any different? The answer is “Yes, it will be” However, whether or not this is a good change is up to you and your vision for the grade 10 year. If your vision is to have fun, then you couldn't have chosen a better time as this is the last year before all the stress concerning acceptance into universities. Grade 10 is the perfect time to join the societies and sports that you've always wanted to try out. Surprisingly, even after two years, there are always new people to meet and friendships to be made at Wynberg. There are many events to be excited about like the “Plant The Seed” workshop where we engage in topics of sustainability, biomimicry, indigenous fauna and flora and more through lively activities. There is also a movie night that is filled with cheesy chick flick movie scenes, laughter, and pizza!It's a good year to achieve your vision of succeeding academically as this is when you take the subjects about which you are most passionate . It is important to keep in mind that although you have fewer subjects, there is a heavier workload compared to Grade 9. So make sure you apply your strengths and work ethic (that you've by now figured out works best for you) to your subjects. It is beneficial to gain an understanding above all else as most of what you're learning is a foundation base for Grade 11 and 12. If you're considering dropping a subject you need to email Mrs Paverd to schedule a meeting and from there she’ll guide you through the process.

This is also the year where you'll be able to use your Wynberg Pass to stay at home when you're not writing during exams. With exams and life pressures comes a lot of stress so don't hesitate to take advantage of academic support and peer guides to assist you.As you are no longer juniors, it’s overwhelming to enter a whole new system, but take care to remember that there are always people who are more than happy to give you advice on how to make the transition from Grade 9 to Grade 10 an easier one. Enjoy, and use grade 10 to make mistakes and learn from them so that you are prepared for the years to come.

Yours sincerely - Summer Dreyden

Your eyes are one of the hardest working and valuable organs that provide you with the gift of sight. It constantly reacts with light allowing your brain to interpret colours and form pictures. Despite its complexity and the intricate workings of your eyes, they are extremely sensitive. They require care and nurturing to allow you to see all the wonders around you. Here are some simple steps you can take to care for your eyes and to improve or maintain your vision.

1) Eat a balanced diet:It is important to eat a healthy, balanced diet to ensure that you are supplying your body with all its required nutrients for optimum functioning. It has been scientifically proven that a healthy diet plan which includes at least five servings of fresh fruit and vegetables can help maintain excellent vision while simultaneously reducing the risk of eye health problems. Here are some foods that promote healthy eyes r: Fish (especially salmon), nuts and legumes (walnuts, peanuts, lentils, etc.), citrus fruits (lemons, oranges, and grapefruit), leafy green vegetables (spinach, kale), eggs and carrots. Carrots specifically contain a high concentration of Vitamin A which plays an essential role in stimulating the retina to absorb light 2) Exercise regularly:Creating an exercise routine and having the motivation to follow through with it will not only do wonders for your vision, but it will also leave you feeling fit and healthy.

Cardiovascular exercises such as aerobics increase the flow of blood to the optic nerve and retina. This can cause overall eye health and improves vision. You do not have to do constant high-intensity workouts: something as simple as

You cannot have clear vision without healthy eyes

a brisk 20-minute walk in the park four times a week will increase your fitness and help preserve your vision.

It’s that simple!

3) Wear sunglasses:Now we all need a bit of Vitamin D from time to time, but too much sun can damage your eyes and lead to a variety of eye diseases. It is for this reason that wearing sunglasses is one of the most important steps you can take when it comes to improving your eyesight.As you can see, shades are not only a fashion trend; they have a vital purpose. You want to buy sunglasses that can block out 99 to 100% of UVA and UVB rays from the sunlight.

4) Follow the 20-20-20 rule:It is clear that your eyes work hard during the day and need a break now and then. The strain can be especially intense if you stare at a computer or a phone screen, or even a book for long periods. To ease this pressure, you can follow the 20-20-20 rule. That means every 20 minutes you should stop staring at your computer or book and look at something 20 feet (about six meters) away for 20 seconds.

5) Make sure your hands are clean when dealing with your eyes:You need to ensure that your hands are clean when touching your eyes because your eyes are especially vulnerable to germs and infections. Even things that just irritate your eyes can affect your vision. So, it is vital to ensure that you wash your hands before putting them anywhere near your eyes. It is also a good habit to avoid rubbing your eyes as this is the main way that bacteria are transferred to the eyes.

6) Drink lots of water:You need to stay hydrated to make sure that your fluid intake is sufficient as this will contribute to your body’s overall well-being. If you drink enough water, you will prevent your eyes from getting dry and irritated.

According to the most recent dietary recommendations, teenagers should be consuming about 1.8 liters of water per day.

7) Get enough sleep:Just like the rest of your body, your eyes also need some recharging time. Sleep is the only thing that allows this. Therefore, you must get a sufficient sleep each day to keep your eyes revitalized and healthy. The average amount of sleep that teenagers get is between 7 and 7 1/2 hours. However, they need 8 to 10 hours of sleep for maximum brain development and rejuvenation.You may not associate washing your hands, drinking enough water or even eating all your vegetables as key steps towards better eyesight, but they all play a role.

Living a healthier lifestyle and protecting your eyes might not make you immune to all eye diseases but they lower your odds of developing a problem that could seriously affect your vision. So make sure that you spare a thought for your hardworking eyes and take the necessary steps to care for them in the best possible way so that your vision is crystal clear.

- Lieschen Natus

Been there,done that...or have I? - Jade Irvine-Smith

Do you feel as if you've read this exact introduction before?

Would you swear that you have sat in that exact chair in which you’re sitting, reading this exact article, with the same song playing in the background before?

That’s Deja Vu for you.

(French for “already seen”) Most people will have experienced this incredible event at least once in their lifetime. If you have not experienced this before, take it from us; it's quite creepy.The mystical phenomenon that is Deja Vu has prevailed as a scientific enigma for quite some time. It is a tricky one to study; there is no predictability in Deja vu, only unexpected, inexplicable and fleeting flashes of images that we swear we’ve seen before. So what is Deja vu?

And why do so many of us experience that eerie feeling of observing moments more than once?

Are we all secretly psychic? Well, the answer is unfortunately “No.”.There are many theories around the exact causes of deja vu. Some of the earlier theories include that maybe we are experiencing a past life of some kind. But what if the person or place we feel we have been to or met before is relatively new?Then what?

Or the most popular being that it was a glitch in the matrix...Here are some of the more recent theories around our freakish psychic like visions.Similar environments.Some researchers and scientists believe that it could be triggered by entering a space very similar to the one with which you are particularly familiar.High use of imagination.People who tend to daydream or think up scenarios of their life ahead of upcoming events are more likely to experience a sense of deja vu. This is because the brain cannot always recall or differentiate between what is an externally created memory or one entirely made up within our heads.Sections of the brain are out of sync.It is possible for separate parts of the brain to momentarily interpret signals at different speeds. The fascinating thing is that there is not just one section of the brain that deals with the interpretation of what our eyes see, but multiple. It’s going to get pretty science-y so stick with us.

The visual cortex in the occipital lobe deals with the conscience interpretation of what we see. But this portion of the brain is all the way at the back of the brain. But the visual cortex isn't the first stop the images make. First, they pass through areas such as the amygdala and tectum which subconsciously process the images. Therefore, by the time our brains actively interpret what we are witnessing, we have already subconsciously seen the image and if these processes don't sync up, well, its safe to say Deja Vu will hit us once again.So if we were to go off theory 3, you could say that technically we really are psychic. We, in fact, can see the future.

And so the only real question left to answer is:

WHAT WILL YOU ENVISION NEXT?

A glimpse into the future of our planet

-Lois Flandorp

It’s no secret that climate change is already happening. It is changing our oceans, weather, ice, and living systems immensely. This brings us to the question: “What will the earth look like in 50 to 100 years?”

Black smog and smoke blazing on a darkened red skyline seems to come to mind, but this is a more dystopian doomsday fiction type of imagery. Scientists have been working hard to debunk this exaggerated expectation, to settle some of the anxiety of the inevitable.

Climate Models- an advanced computer program-was designed to simulate the earth’s responses to Climate Change. They are broken down into four major impacts: average temperatures rising, changed rainfall patterns, rising sea levels and severity of natural disasters.

In short, by 2100, a lot will have been altered as a result of the actions of humankind, but the nature of the change depends on us.

As sad as it sounds, our current solution is an adaptation. Adaptation, in this sense, can be quite exciting. Now don’t get me wrong, climate change is still a complex global issue, but it is inevitable. New and more sustainable ways of living will be introduced to help us make our home last longer, and we are the pioneers of this future.

Learning to be more sustainable, and spreading the word, can sure give our earth some more time, and maybe give us more time to figure out what the long term solution could be. Jennifer Aniston said, “Obviously when I learn about something new that I can do in my everyday life that makes a whole lot of sense and can help the environment, I do it. Eventually, it just becomes second nature. If we all begin to learn from one another and share some of the things we do, we just might be able to affect the world for the better through these little rituals. Curiously, this would be a great wave of awareness: doing the right thing without being told to or having to think why.''

Veganism: an inside look -Sage Seef Name: Sven Fautley Age: 54 How long have you been vegan?

11 years

by Lula de Rose

Why did you become vegan?

I went vegetarian in 1998, after watching a revealing video. It took me 10 years to get over that 'fence' and align my empathy with reality.

I’ve been vegan for 11 years and could never live any other way now!

Favourite food?

Avocado!

A myth you wish you could crush about veganism?

That it's difficult to be vegan in terms of health and resources. We always imagine things to be harder than they actually are, like Madiba said: "It always seems impossible, until it's done!"

Name: Debra West Age: 67 years Why did you become vegan?

I started learning about food and compassion through a vegetarian friend and started following a pescatarian diet in 1979. But in 1991 I saw a documentary on the catching of yellowfin tuna. The deliberate hunting of dolphins and their slaughter in order to haul in tuna horrified me and I gave up all fish immediately.

Roundabout 2010 I met activist Karen Johnson, handing out leaflets and talking to people about the conditions of animal agriculture and espousing veganism. I learned a lot and joined her doing outreach. It struck me that no-one deserves to be killed, especially for food. I went vegan and felt as if a weight had been lifted from me. I'd found my place alongside the rest of earth's creatures! I belonged. So that was 9 years ago.

What is your favourite food?

I've since discovered l enjoy lots of foods that I didn't before. I like so many foods I can't pick a single favourite. I love a good bread with olive oil, avocado, celery, tomato, olives and cucumber, or a tofu scramble with mushrooms, red pepper and broccoli. Pastas are delicious, as are rice dishes.

A myth you wish to crush about veganism?

Advertising has done much to disillusion us and cause us to develop a healthy scepticism. Living a vegan lifestyle I read labels, ask questions so as to live carefully and thoughtfully, respectful of sharing the planet with all other life forms.

With this in mind, it's easy and joyful to be vegan.

Name: Jo Bosman Age: 53 How long have you been vegan?

It will be 4 years on 15 December 2019.

Why did you go vegan?

For the animals! I just suddenly realised one afternoon when I returned from an animal circus protest what a hypocrite I was saving domestic animals & protesting for & fighting for animal rights, while I was eating others!

Favourite food?

Potatoes & Italian dishes A myth about veganism you wish you could crush?

Vegan food is boring! But Protein deficiency! But Iron deficiency! But Calcium deficiency! Stocking the fridge & cupboards is expensive!

Name: Oliver Hope Age: 17 years old How long have you been vegan?

Roughly 6 months.

Why did you go vegan?

I was brought up vegetarian and I remained this way because I didn’t believe in harming other creatures. Over the past years I’ve been exposed, mainly through social media, to what really happens in the dairy and egg industries. I followed Earthling Ed (A vegan activist) on Facebook because I wanted to know more, and so I kept getting videos from him in my feed, constant reminders.

It took me about a year to finally stop convincing myself that I wasn’t part of the problem, but I made the decision to go vegan.

Favourite food?

I love shephed’s pie with black lentils.

A myth you wish you could crush about veganism?

Veganism is not a diet, veganism is a philosophy.

It’s not only about what we eat but about respecting animals and not exploiting them. Going vegan will not make me weak:the nutrients we need is in plants.

Name: Christine Streit Age: 37 How long have you been vegan?

Since April 2014 Why did you go vegan?

My then 2- year old son made the connection between the chicken he had been playing with and the piece of chicken flesh on his plate.That was the catalyst for me to research veganism and by the end of that day, we had made the decision to be vegan.

Your favourite food?

Spaghetti bolognaise A myth about veganism you wish you could crush?

Veganism is not about compassion or loving animals, it is a moral baseline. If we believe that animals matter morally, then veganism is the logical conclusion.It is also not a lifestyle choice, it is also a social justice issue. We need to bring more awareness to speciesism and how we interact not only with each other, but how we treat animals and the planet.

Name: Grace Age: 33

Name: Rima Geffen Age: 59 years

How long have you been vegan?

I just celebrated 2 years as a proud vegan!

How long have you been vegan?

A year.

Why did you go vegan?

I decided to stop buying and using animal products when I realized that we CAN live a healthy, comfortable life without causing pain and suffering to other beings, so why would we? Like many other people,when I looked at images or videos of how meat, milk, leather, wool, etc are made, it makes me sad and horrified. I used to think that it was an unfortunate thing that HAD to happen, because we need to eat animal products to be healthy. I know now that that's simply not true, and neither are all the other reasons people use to justify hurting animals. The more research I do, the happier I am not to be a part ofthat cruelty anymore.

Why did you become vegan?

I am embarrassed to mention this, but I was one of those people who did not put two and two together when it comes to animals used as product, therefore food.The change came when one of my friends put a post on Facebook about the abattoir and dairy, and to this day I can say I was shocked to the core of my being. I became vegan overnight.

I started researching more and more and as I worked through my research, I hated that abattoir worker, but then I realised that hey, these abattoir workers are not at fault, WE are. They are just doing a job for which they are paid low wages.

Your favorite food? Vegan ice -cream!! Either that or noodles with stir fried veggies and a spicy peanut coconut sauce.

What are common misconceptions about veganism you wish you could crush?

I wish I could crush the misconception that all vegans are angry and trying to convert you to something you don't want to be. Sure, not all vegans are friendly, but that goes for all groups of people. If you wouldn't consider it OK to brand all members of a religious or political group based on the behaviour of a small sample of their members, don't do that to vegans. Most of the time, if we talk about veganism, we're trying to share with you really important information that changed our lives! If you don't believe me, try asking your vegan friends why they went vegan.

Their answers just may just surprise you!

Favourite food?

I was never a vegetable lover but now I cherish them, as well as grains and fruit.

A misconception about veganism you wish you could crush?

We are not pushing our beliefs on others.

Veganism is a JUSTICE movement, not a diet, and not a trend.

Name: Sasha Petersen Age: 18 years How long have you been vegan?

I've been vegan for almost a year and a half. I went vegan without fully researching it, thinking it would be a healthier choice and to grow a healthier relationship with food and my diet, but once I started researching it properly and fully a few months in, I realised how important it is for our earth, the animals we share it with as well humans. I love animals and realised I can't love them fully if I'm OK about eating them and continue the cycle of abuse. Favourite food?

My favourite food is chickpeas (they can go into almost everything- curries, salads, roasts, salads and their byproducts can be made into meringues!) and I love a good vegan cake and brownie.

A common misconception about veganism you wish to crush?

If I could choose a misconception to crush it would be that veganism is expensive. I do see that some vegan diets are expensive, but it's about being conscious and tailoring your vegan diet to what you can afford while getting essential food groups and minerals. I do understand that transitioning into a completely different eating style is quite difficult when you've been raised eating in a specific way and comfort foods help with the transition (like plant milks, plant based meat substitutes etc) and that they can be expensive, but a lot of people overlook that all of the cheapest staple foods are vegan like beans, bread, basic veggies etc.

Vision for the future of South African women - Sadie Kennedy

Throughout the recent marches to demand an end to violence against women it is, with justified reasoning, so easy not to see any future for women in South Africa. At the rate our society has been going, there is no future for women in this country as living in constant fear of our safety is a breach of our human rights. This gross underestimation of our robust females has sparked a much-delayed fight for justice and equality which has been abused for centuries. At last, the suffering to which women have unfortunately become so accustomed is being recognized by South African leaders, international citizens and people who have previously been oblivious to the severity of this epidemic.

It is important to acknowledge that, although change is not occurring at the pace one would prefer it to happen, after all the marches and acts of solidarity with victims of violence against women, our country needs to continue this fight. The time has come where people are recognizing that jokes are far more than just ‘locker room talk’ and that they contribute to endorsing rape culture. By constantly correcting insensitive discriminatory or rape jokes anyone can educate our population to create change. I believe that an often-used quote, and rightfully so, by Nelson Mandela is relevant in this context, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Changes need to be made in the everyday lives of South Africans from all backgrounds to be considerate and sensitive concerning the connotations and the weight of the things that we say.

The onus is now to be placed on the men of our country to be aware that this is not merely a ‘woman’s issue’ but a humanitarian crisis for which we should all have zero tolerance. Men are a crucial and integral part of this struggle for respect and need to stand in solidarity with victims such as Uyinene Mrwetyana and the thousands of women who have been assaulted and are yet to see justice. This all starts with men.

Men need to stop taking for granted the power and significance of females in this society and ensure that their fellow men recognize and practise the fundamentals of consent and respect towards all people. This uprising will mark the end of blaming female victims of violence. Instead, my vision shall be that action will be taken into educating every single resident of this country about the essential requirement of respecting the women of South Africa.

bashed beaten broken our country is crying our women are dying falling apart day by day oh what... what do the men have to say ? they blame it on us but they don't undertsnad why we don't know whom t trust every man i see suddenly poses a threat to me what do i do when my heart starts beating faster and your silence is covered up with jokes and laughter you say you're npt trash and yet when a brother disrespects a woman you're quick to run and dash stop adding to our pain with your ideas of personal gain enough is enough stand up be a real man our country is crying our women are dying but you can make a change you can be the difference

Our country is crying

- Leah Brown

A Vision of Strong and Powerful Women The Grade 10 Visual Art students took part in Simon van der Stel Primary School’s art competition that aimed to empower women to honour the approaching National Women’s Day at the time. The Grade 10 students, along with artists from nine other senior schools in the Wynberg District, were tasked with creating street, pop artstyle images depicting women of strength and value. The best works would be chosen and donated to decorate the walls of the Sexual Offences Unit at Wynberg Magistrate’s Court to serve the purpose of inspiring, encouraging and instilling hope in victims of violence as they go through the process of court cases.Here are three extremely notable works of art created by Wynberg Girls’ finest and the stories behind them (in no particular order): - Jenna Ryklief

“WOMEN OF POWER: WANGARI MAATHAI” By Caylin O’Kelly “I chose to create an artwork of Wangari Maathai as she was an environmental and political activist as well as the first woman to win a Nobel Prize. She has had a great influence on The Green Belt Movement and I think she is of importance.”

“WOMEN OF POWER: CASTER SEMENYA” By Gemma Hoskins “Caster Semenya is a South African middle-distance Olympic athlete who is well-known world-wide for her exceptional performance and consistent winning streak. Throughout her career, she faced many battles as she was different from the rest of her opponents. Semenya was born with a higher Testosterone level than the average female, but this did not phase her. Instead,she continued working and training hard as well as setting her heart and mind on her goals despite all the criticism she received.”

"EMPOWERING WOMEN: MALALA YOUSAFZAI" By Nabeelah Safodien “I chose to do my artwork on Malala Yousafzai because it’s not every day that you cannot come across a mounted artwork depicting a person of colour, much less one that is a proud Muslim. There was no question as to whom I was going to choose; for me is was Malala. I knew straight away that I’d draw her. She’s extremely inspiring, not only to me, but to many other girls as well. Standing up for her rights - her right to education, specifically - when she could easily have given up after her accident was immensely awe-inspiring. It’s refreshing to see people, like Malala, stand up for girls all over the world.”

Teachers: Paving The Way For New Visions If you had asked me 6 months ago what career path I’d like to follow in the future or what career path I’m most passionate about, the answer would never have been a teacher. As someone who loves working with children, it seemed very surprising to most that teaching didn’t place anywhere on my list.

Then one day my vision changed as I saw things from a new perspective and realized the value and importance of educators around us. These are the people who are responsible for helping to raise a generation; who play a part in the stages of development in a child, who enrich the minds of children from the start, who can inspire and create visions for those they teach.

After a thought-provoking discussion in class as well as some very wise words of an incredible teacher, the importance of education and the lives that it impacts every single day was predominantly highlighted.

Teachers are the people who mould us and shape us. As the people we see 5 days a week for 7 hours a day, how could they not?

We so often take for granted the supportive educators around us who have taught us more about life than any textbook or manual could. The role that educators play in the lives of children has been vastly overlooked for so long. Sometimes we fail to realize who taught us from young, who encouraged creativity, taught us the basics and helped us make decisions.

Professor Nuraan Davids, from the Faculty of Education at Stellenbosch University who was a guest speaker at our school’s Grade 12 Valedictory, highlighted the value of following our visions and if we fail in the process, it’s all part of the learning experience. In addition,our principal, Mrs. Harding, reminded us in an assembly that we can realise our visions-it’s just a matter of getting there.

Teachers all over the world work every day to create a suitable environment for the children that they teach, doing whatever it takes to pave a path for their success. Someone who is a remarkable example of this, is a young Nigerian teacher, Henry Anumudu, who abandoned a promising career in Communication and Media in 2017 to become a pioneer for “Teach for Nigeria.” In an attempt to fix the education system, Amumudu quit his job to teach 82 children from underprivileged homes, at a primary school Abeokuta, Ogun State. He is so much more than a teacher to these children as he has now taken it upon himself to ensure that the children’s limited resources do not continue to impact negatively on their education. With the help of donations from strangers as well as with his own money, access to books, examinations, school fees and even low-cost housing for the families of learners have been provided.

An example of a teacher who has been my role-model is my Grade 6 teacher. While to her it seemed like a small gesture of help at the time, she “took a hand, opened a mind and touched a heart,” without realizing how much she had paved the way for my vision. I am constantly reminded of the role she played in making me the person who I am today-from being a supportive and guiding mentor, to being someone to confide in during difficult times, to be the person who helped me to choose Wynberg Girls’ High School. In the words of UNESCO’s Director-General, “Without a new generation of motivated teachers, millions of learners will miss out, or continue to miss out on their right to quality education.”

Teaching is a profession that is so incredibly important that it needs to be encouraged more and more so that our generation realizes the value and responsibility that we have to raise a future generation that is accountable, inclusive, respectful and empathetic. I am so incredibly excited to become one of the teachers who will help shape the next generation.

As we celebrate World Teacher’s Day this month, let us appreciate the work that they do, value them for how hard they work in our communities and thank them for pushing us to become the people that we are today.

- Lara Marais

“When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.”

― Audre Lorde