How to Toyi-Toyi - the video

Stressed? Life getting you down? Or is your bum in the butter? Either way, living in SA, it is vital that you learn how to Toyi-toyi. Do view the following instructional video.

As part of my passion for using the medium of film as an educational tool (or edutainment), I recently made this short instructional video on an element of African culture. Please enjoy and practice at appropriate opportunities.

Toyi-Toyi: How to - smaller video file

As part of my passion for using the medium of film as an educational tool (or edutainment), I recently made this short instructional video on an element of African culture. Please enjoy and practice at appropriate opportunities. A slightly better quality version can be found here.. http://ubuntu-bridge.blogspot.com/2009/10/how-to-toyi-toyi-video.html

Upcoming Beginners Level 1 Course - Sept 2009

Please note:
All courses are currently underway, and the next course dates have not been set. There is a chance they will start in early November, else in mid January 2010. Do see below information on current and previous courses, as details are likely to be very similar.

The Current Evening BEGINNERS Xhosa with Craig Charnock is a 12 lesson Level 1 course, covering the first two Beginner CDs.

Times and Dates:
12 lessons twice weekly, Mondays and Thursdays.
19h00 - 20h30, Monday 28 September - Thursday 5 November 2009 (i.e twice weekly).

Venue:
Lesley Charnock's Art studio/gallery in Montebello Design Centre, off Newlands Avenue, Newlands, Cape Town. See Map below.

Investment:
Early Price R1150, if paid before or on Wednesday 23rd September, thereafter R1250.
People younger then 25 and older then 60 - R1100
Please add R25 if you pay by cash deposit.

When bookings/payments open (around 16th September), I will notify you by email with bank details and payment will confirm your attendance, but for now .........
Please e-mail to book your place - info@learnxhosa.co.za or

Visit www.learnxhosa.co.za for more info on UBuntu Bridge

Visit Sosebenza this Sunday

Ben Jochanan Getz sent a message to the members of Sosebenza Centre for Peace (MASI).
(facebook Group)

--------------------
Subject: Sunday Vibes - Visit Sosebenza this Sunday

Beautiful Sosebenza Volunteers...
Christoph and Lucy will be heading a visit to MASI this Sunday 5th Sept!
Give them a shout and bring our kids loads of joy & lunch:):):)
Get them on 082 491 9124 (Christoph) Or 079 438 3555 (Lucy)

Ill be spending the whole day there tomorrow with a team of guys - getting the garden onto new levels of goodness! Anyone is welcome to join if you can. call me on 072 475 2977.
Wont see you Sunday, but ill catch you next time.... Enjoy!

Love
Ben
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Xhosa Volunteer Opporunities

It is my belief that the best way for people to learn Xhosa and potentially help heal rifts is to go and volunteer, but not to go as some sort of saviour but rather as your humble self, struggling to learn Xhosa and to get to know people in the process. You provide a service, and learn about your fellow peoples in our beautiful country and have a good time. There is plenty of healing to be done on both sides of the wealth and class curtain. So, if you wish to be connected through some innovative channels, please check this blog label often or subscribe via RSS or just keep subscribed to my mailing list. But hopefully, you can follow one of the links to organisations below and find a place to volunteer that works well for you. At this time, I prefer to not have to manage this process. Take initiative and contact some of the folk below.

At some point, we hope to have a monthly newsletter and a link to a google calendar, still being set up, which will provide up to date connections with events and peoples organising things in the townships. The atmosphere of non-work pressure combined with the inquisitive exposure will allow you the mental space to let your Xhosa grow. Epic! Improve your Xhosa, heal the nation and yourself - Volunteer!

Volunteer organisations, please just post your details to this page, if you are seeking volunteers or email me. The following is an ideal structure:

Name of organisation:
Description:
Need volunteers who can:
Venue:
Email:
Phone:
Website:


IkamvaYouth

Name of organisation: IkamvaYouth (officially Ikamva Lisezandleni Zethu)
Description: A South African non-profit organization focussed on the empowerment of youth through education, e-literacy training and career guidance.
Need volunteers who can: Tutor subjects to students in grades 10 - 12; help with mentoring, career guidance, computer literacy training, HIV/AIDS awareness, and organisational administration.
Venue: Nazeema Isaacs library, Makhaza, Khayelitsha; and Nyanga library. Times: Saturdays: 9:00 - 12:00 (Nyanga), 9:30 - 12:00 (Makhaza).
Tuesdays & Thursdays: 15:00 - 17:00 (Makhaza)
Email: volunteer@ikamvayouth.org
Phone: 021 362 6799
Website: www.ikamvayouth.org
IkamvaYouth are glad people want to be involved in the Equal Education "movement". We have a document setting as an application form. It permit us to know more about skills, and aspirations of our future volunteers.
For more information, please contact me.
nicolasc@ikamvayouth.org


The Earthchild Project

is launching the REACH OUT campaign at our school in Khayelitsha next week... and you are invited to get involved! For the next 3 Wednesdays we are giving you the opportunity to join us in this exciting initiative. The REACH OUT campaign is a 3 week program whereby we aim to uplift, energise, inspire and encourage children to take action for themselves, the earth and their greater community. There will be programs in the classrooms and at assemblies run by our Earthchild facilitators and guest speakers.

Where do YOU fit in??
You can join us on a Wednesday during break times and at our Earthchild extra mural activities... we need lots of funky, crazy, energetic, smiling volunteers to promote the campaign and get the children inspired and excited!

If you're available on Wednesday
2nd September (NEXT WEEK) and/or
9th September and/or
16 September
between 12:30pm and 4:30pm
then please contact:
Email: lisa@earthchildproject.org
Cell: 083 644 4980
Please RSVP by Thursday 27th August.


Sosebenza Centre for Peace (MASIPHUMELELE, near Kommetjie).

Dear Friends...
Our Sosebenza vegetable Garden is VERY ready for a BIG PLANTING of seeds and seedlings so that we will be able to make ABUNDANT HARVESTS into 2010:) We will be planting Beetroot, Lettuce, Spinach, Turnips, Carrots, Potatoes, leeks, onions, broccoli and cabbage.
Join us for a fun in the garden session and lunch THIS SUNDAY 9th August - 12 - 4pm
(These happen every or every other Sunday. Contact Ben for details.)
Love Ben
(sms or call me on 072 475 2977)


UBUNTU YOUTH PROJECT.

hey, these is what i have bee looking for i am so interested in welcoming the volunteers and they ca learn xhosa at my project with the kids .i would like to have a community day on the 10th of july . the name of the project is UBUNTU YOUTH PROJECT. we do arts and craft , the ages are from 6 to 18 i think it will be a good thing for them to meet new people . also there is a preschool so for those who are interested can come during the week days and play with the kids.
the venue is in Khayelitsha Harare you take N2 from town then turn off at Spine road drive 2km then turn left at Bonjour Garage drive again for 2km pass the bridge then turn right by the Cell c container then right again you will see a yellow preschool .
thanks
juma.
0734004064

Feedback August 2009

Metropolitan Health Group, Cape Town

"I have found this course perfect for my style of learning. Due to operational requirements, I could not attend all the classes, but, I do not feel deprived or totally lost due to this. I still feel as if I gained as much from this as all the students who attended every class. I have learnt, not only to speak and understand isixhosa (to some extent), but was also introduced to some of the amaxhosa traditions and culture.
Craig is a patient teacher and was impressive in his knowledge and understanding and passionate portrayal of his love for this culture. As an experienced facilitator myself, I admire how he keeps the audience on track when they become somewhat distracted, without losing his temper (too often..LOL!). He is an assertive teacher without being overwhelming. Even though he is a serious teacher, his vivid sense of humor shines through too often to be ignored. This assisted in our learning and awoke in us a passion for the people, culture and language.
Harrison’s flair for the dramatic was refreshing in this strange world of discovery into a “foreign” culture and language.
The manuals are easy to use and makes for wonderful tools when combined with the cd’s. I would, however, suggest that we encourage continual learning and ensure that all four cd’s and manuals are completed (with a break in between, of course).
This was a wonderful journey of discovery and I enjoyed it immensely.
Enkos’ kakhulu, titshala!
- F. de Wet

1. There is really nothing to improve. The course is presented very well.
2. I like the easy flowing of the course. Not too stressful. It is very a very relaxed atmosphere and the teaching is also relaxed.
3. Craig's teaching is excellent. Very easy going guy and takes his time with each one.
4. Harrison's teaching is excellent. He is very patient with all of us.
- Madeline F

Evening Class, Newlands

Many people in South Africa can speak Xhosa. Not everyone who speaks it can teach it. Craig KNOWS how to teach! He has a gift for interacting with people of different ages and backgrounds, making everyone feel comfortable in class. He doesn’t let anyone get away with not speaking Xhosa in class, but at the same time is aware of, and sensitive to, people’s anxieties about speaking in a group. Classes have just the right mix of learning and humour to make it an enjoyable experience. Although I already knew some Xhosa vocab, the course has given me the building blocks to use this vocab to communicate with correct grammar, as well as being a firm foundation from which to keep learning. I have been wanting to learn Xhosa for a long time and am so pleased that I finally took a step towards it! - Ingrid V

I always wanted to learn to speak Xhosa but due to language in general not being one of my strong points, I have put it off for many years. Having taken the plunge by doing Craig’s course, I have confirmed that Language is not my strong point, but never the less I was able to learn and understand much more in these 12 lessons that I would ever have thought possible. Craig’s genuine love of the language and his students makes for a comfortable and stimulating atmosphere in which to learn. Thanks for everything Craig. I will certainly be coming to your CD 3/4 classes when you have them. By then I should have caught up with my classmates in verbosity. - Rob B

Xhosa dinner outing

Join my level 2 students.
email for the phrase lists related to eating out.

Date: Wednesday 29th July
Time: 19h15 - 20h45
Venue: Dijo restaurant, Palmer Rd. Muizenberg. enter muizenberg, at main robots with Shoprite on your left, turn left and go under the dangerous railway bridge. first left into killarney, slight left and straight into palmer. Dijo is about the 2nd place on the right after the pub (on the corner).

Theme: Eating Out. The idea is to just meet and eat, but order in Xhosa and have a chance to ask me questions.
Sobonana.

Upcoming Beginners Level 1 Course - July 2009

The next Evening BEGINNERS Xhosa with Craig Charnock will be a 12 lesson Level 1 course, covering the first two Beginner CDs.

For more information on the CDs go to
http://www.learnxhosa.com/downloads.htm
Included is the beginners Cd1 and CD2 and manuals.

The Venue:
At Montebello Design and Craft Centre, Newlands Avenue, Newlands, Cape Town.

Times and Dates:
12 lessons twice weekly, Mondays and Thursdays.
19h15 - 20h45, Monday 20 July - Monday 31 August 2009 (i.e twice weekly). Only one lesson in week of 10 August, and it will be on wednesday the 12th.

Investment: Early Price R1150, if paid before or on Wednesday 15 July, thereafter R1250.
People younger then 25 and older then 60 - R1100
Please add R25 if you pay by cash deposit.

Email now to book your spot: info@learnxhosa.co.za

Earthchild Volunteer Opportunity THIS week!!!

Earthchild Project is running an exciting holiday program for 100 children at each of our schools in Khayelitsha and Lavender Hill.

HOW CAN YOU BE INVOLVED?

• Donation of money for healthy snacks and lunch
• Run arts & crafts, drama, dance, music, yoga or any other fun and uplifting activities with the kids
• Join in and assist activities mentioned above, as well as gardening, worm farming and story telling workshops
• Help with preparation of food

Dates: 29th June - 3rd July (first week school holidays)
Time: 09:00am – 1:00pm
Venue: Sakumlandela, Site B, Khayelitsha & Zerilda Park Primary, Lavender Hill
For more information contact: Lisa on 021 462 2218 or 083 644 4980