EE Friends Quarterly Newsletter
October 2014
H
aving just been the month of trees and heritage may
we be inspired to grow from what has gone before us.
There was much discussion at the recent quarterly
meeting about the frequency, attendance and timing
of EE Friends meetings and the best way to grow ourselves and
the group. When we look back, we find that attendance has
not been very high or reflective of the diversity of organisations
subscribed to our group. It was suggested that we meet once
every six months or once annually, but the consensus was that
quarterly is best, especially when the meetings include site visits
and other opportunities for learning. The idea was put forward
that members should be responsible for the growth of the
group, by bringing new people to the meetings.
GOALS OF THE EE FRIENDS
To enable networking and communication amongst
environmental educators.
To share ideas, information, programmes and
resource materials.
To provide opportunities to learn and be informed.
To improve coordination of environmental
education activities.
To enable people to participate in decision-making
and advocacy.
To enable members to promote their initiatives.
The proximity of meetings to ‘special days’ was raised as a concern. We will aim to have meetings in advance of
these days, to offer opportunities for preparation, without interfering with members’ commitments. Some members
find it challenging to get to meetings in time, but we aim to accommodate everyone by starting with lunch.
The suggestion was made, and supported, that the EE Friends should do a collaborative education event to raise
awareness about the group. But it is up to the group as a whole to take ideas forward and progress from
discussion into action, rather than relying on one or two members to plan, coordinate and implement activities.
Tour Langa’s Cultural Heritage Precinct
The EE Friends September quarterly meeting was held at the
Guga S’thebe and included a tour to a local museum. As Cape
Town’s oldest township, Langa has a great deal to offer.
Langa was established as a township in 1927 as an area
dedicated for black Africans, as part of early apartheid policies. It
has many long-established families and the late musician Brenda
Fassie is among its many famous sons and daughters. The
township made history in 1960 when over 50 000 people burnt their pass books in defiance of the pass laws, and
again 1976 when learners protested against Afrikaans being used as a compulsory first language in schools.
Langa is a vibrant and colourful area and the Langa Cultural Heritage Precinct has much to offer in terms of
experiences and tours, making it a lovely option for educational outings. Have local caterers serve you a
traditional meal at Guga S’thebe Arts and Culture Centre, be captivated by a presentation on the local history
from a heritage professional and learn to create some basic rhythms on Djembe drums. At the centre you can
also visit the newly-built theatre and various arts and crafts exhibitions and studios.
Nearby is the Old Pass Office Museum, a building which functioned as a pass
office and court during the apartheid era, with fascinating and unique exhibits
Guga S’thebe:
xoliswa.morare@capetown.gov.za and stories, this is somewhere every Capetonian should visit. The museum’s
enthusiastic curator provides a fresh outlook of what life was like in Langa during
Djembe drumming - D’georgio:
apartheid.
073 772 8880
For more information:
The Old Pass Office Museum:
amagwaca@powergrp.co.za
While the EE Friends had limited time, there are many more attractions worth
visiting, such as the Old Post Office Building, Mendi Park, the Eziko Restaurant,
and plenty of public art, all of which are located along Washington Street.
EE Events and Projects Gallery
In Arbor week 363 learners participated in special Arbor lessons in
Kirstenbosch, including learners from Parkfields Primary (left), who were
sponsored by the Gold Fields Centre, and Kuyasa Primary (right).
Learners from Greenlands Primary School
painting with ochre and feathers, in one of the
City of Cape Town’s Heritage Month learner
programmes (25 September)
The EE Friends enjoying a cultural heritage experience, in a
drumming session at the Heritage Month quarterly meeting (16
September).
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden staff help
learners from the Athlone School for the Blind plant
orange trees (3 September)
Share your work and
exciting activities with us
Email photos with captions to
EE.Friends@capetown.gov.za
PSP recently launched a new clay
technology learner book
Approximately 40 teachers
attended the launch, and the
initiative has thus far been found to
be a success.
"Learning about Traditional Pottery"
is the first project book for
Intermediate Phase learners in the
PSP project book series on
Indigenous Knowledge and
Science. These project books are
written for learners, with teacher/
caregiver facilitation.
A few of the 238 Hindle Road High School
grade 11 learners that visited Kirstenbosch
Gardens as a part of their Climate
Change Week programmes in August.
This book offers practical activities
using clay, where children can learn
about the development of
indigenous clay technology in South
Africa, as well as the science of how
clay is made into beautiful pottery
and ceramics.
Members’ Survey Findings
Only 24 of our 120+ members (20%) participated
in the survey.
TOP
reasons
to be a
member
3
Networking opportunities
Share knowledge and experience
All four times a year
9%
I’m new
26%
Three times a year
13%
Get ideas for EE programmes
Suggestion: Seek new contacts,
expand the group and
encourage more active
participation and attendance
75%
felt that enough emails are
being
distributed to the mailing list, while 65%
felt that at least half of the emails are relevant and/
or useful.
3
How often do you attend EE Friends meetings?
OUR MEETINGS ARE ON TRACK
TOP items that
a meeting should include
Resource sharing session
Members sharing projects
and events
Presentations
3
Twice a year
17%
Never
13%
Once a year
22%
Only 22% attend more than two meetings per
year, 39% attend once or twice and 13% never
attend. The main reason was a lack of time.
TOP
Suggestion: Have
after-hours events,
workshops, etc.
Site visits and excursions
More learning opportunities
More networking opportunities
Suggestion: Have
tangible initiatives
or projects
things that would
make you more
likely to participate
The majority felt the EE Friends should produce a quarterly newsletter (86%) and various suggestions
were made, almost all of which were incorporated into our design.
What
will
YOUact
do to
on these
findings?
Interested in doing a digital survey?
www.surveymonkey.com
Check These Out
For your classroom clay needs, contact Cape Pottery Suppliers
for their 10kg Red School Clay, and ask for your school-use
discount!
www.capepotterysupplies.co.za
Heart of Nature (coaching and experiences inspired by nature)
now has a website.
heartofnature.co.za
An exciting website has been
launched for educators, trainers
and parents to download
environmental ‘edutainment’
resources, such as illustrated
stories, CAPS linked learning
materials, and much more.
www.ecology.co.za
Member Profile: The Cape Leopard Trust
T
he Cape Leopard Trust is a
n o n ‐ p r o f it
o r ga n i s at i o n ,
launched in 2004 as an active
predator conservation group
in the Cape. It uses research as a
tool for conservation, seeks human‐
wildlife conflict solutions and inspires
interest in the environment through
education. The EE programme runs
camps, outings and eco‐clubs, that
explore the environment through
experiential learning. It incorporates
cutting-edge research on leopard
and caracal, using the charismatic
Cape leopard as a flagship species
to stimulate conservation
awareness and action.
lasting networks and partnerships.
They aim to create interactive and
explorative learning experiences for
all students that they work with, by
getting them out into nature and
having fun while learning. They aim
to immerse children in nature,
allowing them to learn to love and
enjoy being outdoors, and
appreciate and respect their
natural environment. CLT offers a
range of hikes, outings and
excursions for schools around the
Cape, as well as supporting schools
with learning programmes, eco‐
Aims for the education programme
As CLT expands, it hopes to work
with NGOs, schools, educators and
a broader network, to create long
clubs, outdoor extra murals and
presentations.
For more information, visit
their
website www.capeleopard.org.za,
or contact:
Jaclyn Stephenson
capetown@capeleopard.org.za
Hadley Lyners
education@capeleopard.org.za
Elizabeth Martins
elizabeth@capeleopard.org.za
The Lighter Side
Can you guess the Cape heritage site?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_heritage_sites_in_the_Cape
Noon Gun, Signal Hill
Clock Tower, V&A Waterfront
Robben Island
Answers:
Our Next Quarterly Meeting: 27 November 2014
Focus on Waste, in celebration of Buy Nothing Day
Venue to be decided, suggestions and contributions are
welcome.
Seeking Partnerships
A representative from the Langa
Beautification Project shared at the
recent meeting. If anyone would
like to support the project, contact:
Ntsikelelo Gum
Tel:
021 694 2441
Fax: 021 694 2441
Cell: 078 265 1426
Email: gntsikelelo@gmail.com
EE Friends is an informal network of individuals and organisations involved in Environmental Education in and around Cape Town;
without a constitution, office-bearers or membership fees. For more information please visit www.capetown.gov.za/EEFriends.
If you would like to know more or become a member of EE Friends, please contact:
Mrs Skye McCool
Tel: +27 (0)21 487 2318
E-mail: ee.friends@capetown.gov.za