Mayor lauds selfless science, maths teacher
Mossel Bay mayor Dirk Kotzé visited the Jizani Youth Development programme at the Thusong Library in KwaNonqaba on Friday, 7 October.
Jizani Youth Development was started in 2005 as an after-school programme with 15 learners receiving assistance with mathematics and physics in preparation for exams.
Since 2005 more than 100 from the Jizani Youth Development Programme have graduated from different universities. Others who were part of the programme are studying at universities in South Africa and one is studying in the United Kingdom.
The classes are offered free of charge by Mzwendaba Jizani.
In 2016 Jizani won the Rotary Club of Mossel Bay Citizen of the Year Merit Award. He also featured on the 2018 list of the Mail and Guardian Top 200 Young People to take to lunch. In the same year he received an honorary award from the University of Cape Town.
During the mayor’s visit, Jizani spoke about the STEM Future Graduate Programme. This acronym stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
“This programme focuses on students taking mathematics, science and natural science who will pursue a career in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.”
The programme is also aimed at assisting Grade 12 learners who need to complete the National Benchmarking Test (NBT) as part of their university applications. Jizani helps learners apply for National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) bursaries and scholarships.
“The next Elon Musk, Klaus Schwab or mayor of Mossel Bay is sitting here today,” Mayor Dirk Kotzé said. "Mathematics and science provide learners with essential problem-solving skills. You must identify and define which assumptions you are working with. You must always solve problems.”
Quoting technology billionaire Elon Musk, Mayor Kotzé said: “To solve problems, you must break them down to fundamental principles. Then you must create a new solution.”
He challenged those present to think long and hard about some of the major challenges facing the youth, Mossel Bay, the Western Cape and South Africa.
“Consider how you can apply problemsolving skills to these issues and then you will see why mathematics and science is essential for successful problem solving.”