CONNECTING PEOPLE, INTERNATIONALLY- ANOTHER EXAMPLE

Tanya Louise Singh ( age 21) from Port Shepstone, studying commerce and Emmy Tordenlid from Oskarshamn, now living in Kalmer and is a student at Kalmer university have been twinning since 1999, when one of the educators , Jenny Moses went over to Oskarshamn as a delegate and linked these two students, like the many,100's. It is really encouraging to note that many are in touch. We want to record such stories. Please link up with our Asssociation. gk

YEAR 1997 - 2 EXCHANGE VISITS

A busy year indeed. Lots of interest from the wider community with delegations to and from Oskarshamn.

• Tormod, Runo Hageberg- principal of Oskarsgymnasim, Monica Johansson - official at Oskarshamn Kommun and Jonas Lockman- pastor at Dodurhult Church. Over the next few years Runo made Port Shepstone his next home for a few months in a year. He also spent 6 weeks at two schools assisting with school administration.

• The first twinning AGM was also held this year following the inauguration in November 1994. Tormod was an excellent Programme Director.

• With every delegation there was always a positive response to Welcome, Farewell and Swedish evenings, with a display of Swedish food and culture. Well many of are still trying to acquire the taste of caviar in toothpaste tubes .

• One wonders why that every Swedish delegation song was a nursery rhyme or theme. This has not changed. Children's author, Astrid Lingren had a huge impact in Sweden and worldwide.

• Revas and Rischav, both young twinners were always around. Siyabonga Cwele, present Minister of Intelligence also enjoyed listening to sweet, slow Swedish tunes during our fun evenings after a day of hard work. A very young Ronnie, ( newly appointed Speaker of HCM) in the background.

• Planning meetings , well in advance to ensure that the programme suited the delegation has always met our Swedish delegations approval. From the photo above, men - John Green, Johan van der Walt, John Harrison, Anton Pheil and Selvan Chetty dominated.

• The only SA delegation that year was Kay Nair, first delegate from P.S. Secondary school and now principal of St. Martins de Poress school, Dudu Malinga- still on our Board, Floyd Dlangamandla ( street care worker) and Bonnie Mpofana, an employee at Kay's school and at that time, she was a volunteer at Gamalakhe Child Welfare Committee . g.k

QUAINT TOWN - OSKARSHAMN ( EAST COAST OF SWEDEN)

Photographs:
Personal and Oskarshamn Municipality Magazine.
g.k

COMMUNICATION

COMMUNICATION:

1. SCHOOL MAGAZINE - Jai Hind Jive, Report Back by Bash , a 2003 delegate ( a school initiative)

2. Port Shepstone Secondary School - Short report in 2008 school magazine

3. Local Newspapers - the two dominate newspapers, South Coast Herald and South Coast Fever have always given wide coverage. Invitations to AGMs, Report Back meetings and any other twin news and activity are always given coverage. This is appreciated.

4. Twin Newsletters were distributed to broad membership and any person interested in twinning as early as 1996. (Refer to above article).

This is still the norm; newsletters are distributed at end of year and are much longer. In addition, our AGM's are held mid year. Depending on the activity, there are also additional Report Back meetings.

Since early days, the PSTA board meetings have been held on the last Thursday of every month. This has not changed. g.k

WIDE REPRESENTATION & CONSULTATION

 

PAULINE'S PHOTOGRAPHS CAPTURES HISTORY ,ILLUSTRATION OF SOME MEETINGS

- BOARD MEETINGS,
- GLOBAL SCHOOL PLANNING
- SODERHAMN DELEGATION - INTRODUCTION
- ORIENTATION OF DELEGATIONS
- eSAYIDI FET MEETING WITH LARS KAGG SKOLAN
- TWINNING AGM AND REPORT BACK MEETING
- INTRODUCTION OF TERMS OF AGREEMENT WITH SCHOOLS
- WELCOME- TRIANGLE PROJECT ( DEMOCRACY PROJECT)
- EVALUATION MEETING WITH SWEDISH DELEGATES
- HIV/& AIDS - AWARENESS
g.k

YOUNG TWINNERS - ANOTHER EXAMPLE

 

YOUNG TWINNERS - SINCE 1996

Since 1996, it is estimated that 100's to 1000's of children started twinning. With every delegation, stacks of letters and gifts were sent across to children. There are many stories to be told.

Rischav and Rickard started when they were toddlers. This twin relationship started in 1996 ( off course with the help of adults)A highlight was their first meeting in 2007, when Rischav was part of the Triangle project student delegate. The above collage illustrates the history of the continued relationship from toddlers to teenages. This relationship has sparked an interest in one another's country, lifestyle, culture and sport.

OTHER YOUNG TWINNERS THAT ARE NOW YOUNG TEENAGERS OR YOUNG ADULTS, PLEASE SHARE YOUR STORY WITH US. LEAVE YOUR POST AT THE OFFICES OF ZIPHAKAMISE OR CONTACT TWINNING BOARD MEMBERS g.k

1996- INTEREST GAINING MOMENTUM

SOME POSITIVE IMPACT OVER THE YEARS.

• CULTURAL EXCHANGE OF FOOD, MUSIC AND DANCE.
• ACCEPTANCE OF ALL PERSONS IRRESPECTIVE OF RACE, COLOUR, CREED OR POLITICAL AFFILIATION
• IMPROVED NETWORKING HENCE CREATING IMPROVED SERVICES .
• IMPROVED COLLABORATION ACROSS PROFESSIONS AND DEPARTMENTS
• INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE IN ONES ONE PROFESSION.
• ENVIRONMENT AWARENESS AND EXPOSURE WAS ALWAYS INCLUDED AS PART OF OSAK'S PROGRAMME
• PUPIL TO PUPIL EXCHANGE OF LETTERS ( TWINNING PEN PALS) CREATING LONG TERM BONDS
• EMPOWERMENT OF SELF ( DIFFICULT TO MEASURE BUT WAS CLEARLY EVIDENT).
• RURAL AND URBAN EXPOSURE - BROADER FOCUS OF NEEDS. APPRECIATION OF WHAT WE HAVE
  DEVELOPMENT OF CLOSER WORKING LINKS WITH MUNICIPALITIES
• PROMOTING EQUITY , IRRESPECTIVE OF " STATUS"
• BRINGING A COMMUNITY TOGETHER - AN IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION.
• INTERNAL CULTURAL EXPOSURE AND NATION BUILDING AS AN ONGOING PROCESS. CREATED INTEREST IN GLOBAL ISSUES
• PROMOTING DEMOCRACY
  
  GULSHERA KHAN

1996 - HIGH ACTIVITY - WIDE REPRESENTATION

DELEGATIONS - 1996

1. RAVI PILLAY AND ANN McKAY - SPEAKERS AT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN OSKARSHAMN

2. CARL BLOOM, SVEN AKE JOHANSSON AND EVA CHATTINGIUS

3. JOHN GREEN, ( PASTOR) GABRIELLE CELE ( PORT SHEPSTONE COUNCIL - LIBRARY), LATE SAGIE NAIR ( TEACHER - MARSEC AND SADTU MEMBER) AND THEMBI KHAWULA- LIBRARY TEACHER AT OLWANDLE HIGH ( THE BEGINNING OF A RELATIONSHIP WITH THIS SCHOOL AND PRESENTLY DIRECTOR OF HCM - HEAD OF MUSEUM SERVICE)

4. TORMOD NESSET- OSAK CHAIRMAN THEN AND NOW, LOTTA LINDGREN ( PRESENT PRINCIPAL OF KRISTENBERG SCHOOL) AND HAKAN.

5. JOHN HARRISON- ZIPHAKAMISA, PRESENTLY RETIRED IN CAPE, IDA PETERSON - SOCIAL WORKER, MYRTHLE VAN HEERAN ( TEACHER AND STILL AT MERLEWOOD PRIMARY SCHOOL) AND ZINDILE MZINDLE - DEVELOPMENT WORKER FOR A PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED ORGANISATION- NO LONGER A PORT SHEPSTONE RESIDENT.

During the early period, upon every delegation's return, the previous delegation accepted leadership in preparing and assisting the next delegation. There was always wide consultation and consensus. Demographics of region , wide representation from NGO's, involvement and empowering of municipal staff and employees were some selection criteria considered . Gulshera

1996 - 2nd OSAK DELEGATION - NEW KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS CREATION

ON THIS DELEGATION: Carl Bloom - Town Council Architect, Sven Ake Johannson- ABF and Eva Cnathingius - librarian

Highlights :

1. One delegate's passport was mistakenly left on the plane from Stockholm to London. With no advanced system of communication, the Welcome Committee in Port Shepstone waited anxiously at the Durban airport. Glad, they had arrived the next day.

Communication has really advanced in the last decade.Telephones and faxes were the only link during this period.

2. By now, the interest in Twinning spread like "wild fire". Over 80 participants attended a days workshop on 31 January 1996. The workshop was divided in three specialised fields:

Environmental Issues, Study Circle and Library in Sweden.
The delegates were excellent facilitators. Carl, bringing to our attention the need to be environmentally aware, study circle method was introduced and the third group focused on how a well organised library can be an important resource in a community. During this period, few libraries were based in urban, advantaged communities and none for the majority.

A research study to asses the roll out of basic resources and infrastructure,post democracy is needed.

Johan van der Walt is recognised for his role in arranging this workshop and promoting the twinning concept.

3. Relaxed, Sven Ake, braaing at a farewell function at Pastor John Green's residence. Photo above.

4. Cultural exchange of music and food, gaining momentum with every delegation. It is now part of every delegations programme. g.k

N.B.Programme, attendance register/s and other correspondence are kept in an archive.

Challenges from First invitation to date

1. Photo above: A picnic at Oribi George at the end of the 2 week programme (First Oskarshamn Delegation in 1994). We had invited Ronnie, who in turn invited Pauline. Both, principals at that time. Her photography continues to speak volumes.

2. Invitation to Oskarshamn - letter dated 23 January 1995. There aren't words to express our feeling of jubilation.

3. The first SA delegation - 1995:
Themba, Fana, Emily, Selvan, Anton, Johan, Pauline and Gulshera.

It was difficult and continues to be so as not all elected on the Twinning Committee were invited. (refer to letter above)Selection criteria of delegates continues to be a challenge, especially so few persons have travelled abroad. The way forward was challenging and we had to ensure consensus at a broad level in selection of delegation especially in terms of racial and gender balance. The first transitional council nominated Themba- first black deputy mayor and Pauline, mayor to be part of this delegation ( although it was a civil society invitation. PSTA always included municipality)

Developing country versus developed country norms and values, needs, priorities, synchronisation of times and dates, differing structure and accountability, etc are challenging issues. We learning daily and co-operating towards mutual interest.


4. Themba: Themba in Oskarshamn was very popular. He enjoyed the attention.

5. Nesset Home:
Photograph of the family in 1995. A home away from home. Always welcomed.
g.k

BREAKING STEREOTYPES

On that afternoon of the first workshop, my first telephonic communication with Johan was positive. Refer to letter above.

To my surprise, within 2 days, he replied (read above).

Our first twinning meeting held on 6 December 1994 at Practical Ministry offices.

"Vividly, I remember the first meeting of this newly elected committee and only the three of us attended, i.e. Johan van der Walt, Emily Mavundla and myself. We had no agenda and did not know what to discuss. But most significantly, the twinning process at local level began here. We discussed our culture. For Johan, it was his first opportunity to ever communicate with a Black and Indian Female. The contribution of twinning in this type of reconciliation cannot be over emphasized.
This was the beginning of our internal nation building process".

Extract from a speech delivered at an international conference in Oskarshamn in 1998

PHOTOS ABOVE: FIRST DELEGATION TO SWEDEN

1 Themba playing at one of the soccer machine.
2.We learnt that Fana Sishi, member of the Port Shepstone Peace committee and trade union was very talented. He could compose and sing beautifully.
3. Johan was so excited to see a miniature trolley. We all were.

g.k

WOW! LOOK WHAT I FOUND - 1994

Original documents displayed above:

1. Invitation to first twinning workshop.
2. Attendance register.
3. Invitation to child welfare organisations - both urban and rural
4. Open invitation to NGO's to plan the first delegation programme.
5. Swedish delegation creating bonds at workshop.

At this first workshop, after a two week programme, we had no idea why we were meeting. There was so much of international interest in our country, that personally I felt-- " it is one of those, wanting to see and go" Never heard of ISAK.

A short presentation by the delegates was followed by a motivation by Tormod in an amateur video. Tormod impressed the need to formalise a partnership and elect a committee. We obeyed their wishes. Why?

Karl Bloom motivated the need to elect one person from the municipality in his absence. He had a 5 minute meeting with Johan van der Walt, a town engineer and his name was proposed. Negative as I/we was/were, I/we obeyed the Swedes. This can be understood coming from a background such as ours, just 6 months in our new found democracy.

Persons elected were: Emily Mavundla - Betania creche, Lynette Zwande- principal of a school in Kwa Madlala, Mrs Ngobese- vice principal of Inala Combined School and David Memela of Practical Ministries and myself as the co-ordinator. Off couse Johan van der Walt. ( We have become great buddies after our trip together to Sweden. I respect him for his courage and honesty)

The reaching out to all communities and desperate need to twin internally as part of a reconciliation process was always a key focus by many. This belief, passion and commitment was and still is a driving force that keeps us going and not giving up.


READ AS HISTORY UNFOLDS HEREON

PAULINE WRITES

Gulshera and I went to Prince Mduduzi Hlophe's funeral today, held at the Bhuqu Sportsfield in Bhomela. Prince became involved in the twinning when the Time Travel group were here in May 2008. He met Ebbe, Helen, Carina and Bobbo at their home in Oslo Beach, and attended the Time Travel workshop, where he was elected on to the Time Travel committee.

Prince became ill 2 weeks before his death and I'm sad for him, his family and all the people in whose life he featured. Too many young South Africans are dying, and with a person like him, a lot of history has died as well.

FIRST OSKARSHAMN DELEGATION OCT/ NOV 1994

From left to right:
Carl Bloom - Town engineer, Gunnel Asklund- teacher, Camilla Johansson- journalist, Lillemor Nesset- student and Gunilla Hendriksson- preschool teacher.

Initial bonds:

1.Lillemor Nesset was part of the 1993 delegation and developed links with some leaders.

2.Tormod Nesset visited Port Shepstone overnight,immediately after the first democratic election in 1994 ( he was an international observer during the elections in Eastern Cape region) and initiated contacts with leaders and held a successful meeting. Outcome of the meeting was a positive response to initiate a twinning project.( civil society)

3.Camilla Johansson continued to maintain contact with Ravi Pillay in preparation for the first formal twinning delegation from Oskarshamn. (via fax and telephone)

4.Selvan Chetty assisted Ravi in co-ordinating the programme. Selvan was an employee of Practical Ministry during this period. A human rights / church based organisation that played an important role during this transitional phase.

5. Gulshera Khan, as Area Manager for child welfare was tasked to expose the delegation to some NGO's and co-ordinate the first twin workshop on 9 November 1994.

N.B : The above is a broad sequence of events,locally. G.K

FROM EXCLUSION TO INCLUSION - 1994

 

HISTORICAL ARTICLE THAT SPEAKS OF NEW BONDING AND A WAY FORWARD.

DENNIS GOLDBERG WAS ONE OF THE ROLE PLAYERS THAT MOTIVATED ISAK AND OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS STRONGLY FOR A CONTINUED RELATIONSHIP AND INTEREST IN OUR NEW DEMOCRACY. HE IS RECEIVING A GIFT OF APPRECIATION FROM A MEMBER OF THE FIRST PORT SHEPSTONE DELEGATION IN 1995.

WE MET HIM IN LONDON AFTER OUR 2 WEEKS TWIN PROGRAMME IN OSKARSHAMN. WE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM HIM. WHAT AN EXPERIENCE! G.K.

LILLEMOR NESSET - YOU REMEMBERED

Lillemor Nesset - second from left.

Lillemor Nesset was part of a 1993 delegation to S.Africa, after decades of sanctions. She and two or three persons from this delegation spent a few days in Port Shepstone- 16/17 years at that time. Port Shepstone was one of many areas visited If, not mistaken , she was the only person on this delegation from Oskarshamn. This delegation was exposed to the area and held meetings with many leaders of this region, amongst them,present Minister Siyabonga Cwele, late George Mbele, Ravi Pillay and others.

A first "white person" to stay over at our home. Upon her return, she had convinced / motivated her dad, Tormod Nesset and others (ISAK members) for continued relationship with SA.

It is documented that although both coastal towns (Oskarshamn and Port Shepstone) has many similarities, it is the people and their commitment that is its greatest strength. There are so many persons that are truly committed and gives unselfishly , not only to the twinning project but in many small and developing NGOs. We are committed in building our democracy.

PHOTO FROM MOT SYDAFRIKA och bli van FOR live

Gulshera

Port Shepstone - INLAND

Our beautiful landscape

AMAZING 15 YEARS OF TWINNING PARTNERSHIP/S

 

WATCH THE SPACE !
copyright Gulshera

Madi Gray , author of article below, with Tormod Nesset

copyright photo: Gulshera

"Mady Gray was born in Cape Town. A critic of apartheid since her student days, she left South Africa and moved to Sweden where she joined the ANC of South Africa and the solidarity movement The Africa Groups of Sweden, in the same year. Gray worked as a freelance journalist and editor and contributed to the anti-apartheid struggle in various ways, particularly through writing articles and appearing on public platforms, speaking to a variety of audiences including preschool children, trade unionists and peace activists. Currently she works as a tourist guide and enjoys showing her guests how the problems in South Africa are being resolved." By Bertil Högberg:

Tormod and I met Madi Gray in Stockholm in 1995. A S.African citizen, living in exile. We stayed overnight in Stockholm as we were appearing the next morning as " special guests" on a national morning television programme on the twinning concept.

Sweden, nationally was interested in exploring " where to from here" after years of sanctions against apartheid SA.There was a need to move forward from ISAK campaign(Isolate SA Campaign) with the onset to our democracy in 1994.

The television interview was conducted in Swedish and Tormod replied in Swedish, while I was interviewed in English. The brief interview was " nerve recking" , especially the fact that the twinning relationship was young and fragile. The commitment of Tormod and the 1 million that were involved in ISAK, motivates us to ensure that democracy works in SA.

"Mr. Nesset was one of the people who initiated the establishment of the local ISAC group in Oskarshamn, Sweden. Here he is telling us about how ISAC developed into a big organisation in Oskarshamn. He is also telling us about the cooperation with the municipality as well as what happened to the local ISAC group when the liberation struggle within South Africa was won." Bertil Högberg


Interviews with Madi and Tormod Nesset by Bertil Högberg is on the web. Read about their years of commitment and dedication in solidarity work.

Tormod's commitment and continued support to our country and especially our town is deeply appreciated.

GULSHERA KHAN

CENTURIES OF SWEDEN'S INTEREST IN S. AFRICA

EXTRACT FROM MADI GRAY'S ARTICLE

CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION - GSJ

Certificates of appreciation as a means of our gratitude are handed to persons for their involvement and participation in the global school, including other twinning projects. Our Chief Director of Police of Hibiscus Coast Municipality (HCM), Victor Chetty ensures police visibility, presence and protection of our Swedish and international visitors. We are indeed very grateful. Gulshera

LARS KAGG SKOLAN TWIN PARTNERS WITH eSAYIDI FET COLLEGE IN GAMALAKHE

REPORT BACK BY THABANG MOSHOESHOE, AT TWINNING MEETING ON HIS TRIP TO SWEDEN AND PROGRESS OF THE MEDIA CENTRE PROJECT BETWEEN THESE TWO INSTITUTIONS.

Dr. Nzimande with Minister Ina Cronje & Principal of Lars Kagg Skolan, Carl - Peter Lindén . We are indeed very proud of the progress made between these two institutions. The media centre and many other new initiatives have taken root. WELL DONE . Gulshera

Twinning Board Members - Past & Present

L - R Back Row Gulshera Khan (Twinning Ambassador to Oskarshamn) Lynne Footit (Chairman) Christa Nightingale (Secretary) Thandi Phehlukwayo, Silvy Ragoobar, Gary Moodley

L - R Front Row Sibongile Zamisa, Joyce Majola, Mzi Ndwalane, Dudu Malinga, Thandi Mathabatha, & Dell Pendock on the end

Judy Mkhize & Tilana and of course Pauline Duncan - taking the photo are other Board Members not in the photo and were also present at the AGM.

The Board will serve for the next 2 years.

Pauline's Photos

Pauline camera really captures the moment.
A picture SPEAKS a thousand words. Poverty, lack of basic infrastruture is still the order of the day in many parts of our country. The bundle of wood is not les than 10 - 15kg. Makes us appreciate what we have. G.K

Time Travel

TIME TRAVEL - October 2008

Time travel in Worcester 1773, Ebbe Westergren of Kalmar Lans museum , the founder of Time Travel - some 23 yrs ago is passionate of this method of teaching & learning. Participating in this time travel project, being an Indian slave for 3 hours made me feel disempowered, frustrated and lonely.

WE NOW UNDERSTAND WHAT IT IS TO BE DISENFRANCHISED.

This is a meaningful project for twinning. It further enhances our key objectives of nation building and reconciliation, empowerment, developing partnerships; networking and making our history come alive. We must learn from our past and build on a positive future.

Gulshera Khan

Historical Photo

The first young and beautiful delegation to Sweden --May 1995 .We were honoured and set the pace for future co-operation for 15 years. Growing stronger. Many new projects have since developed. 138 individuals were exposed to international exchange in various professions & projects , including citizens from all walks of life-- bringing us together.

We have created the link for Ugu & Hibiscus Coast municipalities to twin with municiplaities in Sweden. We look forward to Global School project in Oct 2009, Time Travel, Triangle, Lars Kagg Skolan with eSayidi and other new initiatives. WE LOVE THE WORK .

HEY, GIVE US SOME BREAK SOMETIME - G.K

TORMOD AND BIRD

Hej Tormod -- Someday-- the bird will arrive home. We are full of surprises.