I would like to take this opportunity to thank God Almighty, My Director, Yunus, and the whole team for giving me a chance to be part of TABSA 2016.

As an assistant director I was so pleased to meet the team in Port Elizabeth. It was too cold there but TABSA was so enthusiastic to lend a hand. The workshops were superbly organised under the direction of Dr. Govender. The Pine Lodge where we stayed was so clean and comfortable. The venue of the workshop was about 20 minutes drive away from the lodge. My director and I practiced driving between the Lodge and the venue Algoa College late at night so we would be perfect in our driving directions in the morning. Although the lodging was convenient, it hindered after classes contact for those who might need extra help.  Also, the venue needed to be locked at 4pm.

The workshop went well. There were 2 classrooms for Mathematics, about 30 FET phase teachers and about 20 for GET (senior) phase teachers. Same thing applied to Science.  In those 5 days teachers were so happy and excited about knowledge they gained from our TABSA team. They even indicated in their evaluation sheets that they would like to have the same kind of workshop next year.

On Thursday we were invited to a gala dinner. It was amazing! Aviva delivered a very good speech about the importance of Mathematics. Alison delivered a superb speech about the importance of Science. Our Director Yunus was the guest speaker. His speech was excellent and he asked us to be introspective. He said one need not to boast about how good s/he is but what about the impact to others, how others may benefit from knowledge we may have to share. We were awarded with certificates and trophies by the department of education. It was a great evening of socialising, singing and dancing of PE teachers, TABSA and PE departmental officials. On Friday classes continued with a great closing ceremony with slide show by Grant.

The next week was at Nelspruit in Mpumalanga province. There were many more teachers than we expected. The workshop was in Protea Hotel where we stayed and teachers also resided. There were about 70-80 attendees in one conference room. There were two classes for Science and two for Mathematics as well. Teachers were so hungry for knowledge. Our teachers worked so hard and were prepared all the time. It was touching to see our facilitators skipping their meals, especially lunch, preparing for the next session. The boards were not enough, but through negotiations with the hotel management they bought more for us.

Support staff was always available to assist. Unisa observers came to observe lessons in all classes. They commended the good work performed by our facilitators. Teachers also were enriched and promised to use knowledge imparted to their respective schools. They also asked TABSA to return next year. 

We had a dedicated and committed TABSA team again in 2016. It was a combination of old and new facilitators to South Africa. Unfortunately, I had to leave the team when they started workshops in Swaziland. I had to go back to South Africa KZN because our schools were opened and I had to be there. 

Teachers were friendly and sociable. They were flexible always. We became friends, brothers and sisters as if we knew each other long time ago. I once got sick and everyone was concerned and helped with medication. Each member was so loving and caring for one another. I had a best roommate in Brad.

Thanks to all our facilitators, support staff, sponsors and all who made these workshops possible. They were of a great success. 

 

Yunus whoa! Leader indeed! Makes things possible. Thanks for caring.

 

Thokozani Mteshane, Assistant Director