Being the change you want to see
ABOUT 100 pupils from 10 local schools had a lifechanging experience when they embarked on an educational tour to Robben Island, as part of the Nelson Mandela Centenary celebrations.
The tour this week was organised by the Airports Company South Africa (Acsa), and was aimed at elevating Mandela Day and educating pupils about the life of the Struggle icon.
Acsa spokesperson Deidre Davids said they hoped that the learners would contribute to “being the change in the world”.
“Many of these learners here today have never been to Robben Island, and their stories of excitement they shared was a great highlight for us.
“It was certainly great to be able to give them this opportunity, and I believe that many of them were left inspired.
“This was something that we wanted to achieve,” Davids said.
“The notion that says ‘Be the Change You Want to See’ in the world was the message we wanted to convey to them,” she added.
The top performing learners from Bishop Lavis High School, Belhar High School, John Ramsay High School and the Sithembele Matiso Secondary School, among others, were selected for the tour.
For John Ramsay High School learner Hakeemudeem Corkier, 16, the opportunity was “eye-opening”.
“Today was the first time that I went to Robben Island,” he said.
“And, at that moment of entering the prison that Mandela was in, caused me much pain, and hearing about all the things he went through…
“It was poignant, but then the inspiring part is how we learnt of the things he made possible, despite his traumatic ordeals.
“This tour educated me, and emphasised a strong message that anything is possible in life and that you can certainly be the change,” said Corkier.
He added that he would one day fulfil the Mandela legacy, by contributing to help the needy.
“We may not be able to help everyone, but we can certainly start with one person at a time. It’s all about having that impact on someone’s life, ”he said.
The tour also provided a platform for the pupils to engage in a deeper understanding of heritage.
Courteney Loff, 17, also from John Ramsay High School, said it was heartbreaking hearing about the history of Robben Island prisoners.
“This was the most emotional part as it made me think of the drastic measures that prisoners, including Nelson Mandela, had to take,”she said.
Other activities of the day included a beach clean-up on the shore of the island, where pupils filled 100 refuse bags with litter, to mark the 100 years for Mandela.