Port Shepstone Twinning Association: FROM EXCLUSION TO INCLUSION

Saturday, January 3, 2009

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.

PORT SHEPSTONE DELEGATIONS

1995

Selvan Chetty Pauline Duncan,Gulshera Khan, Emily Mavundla,Anton Pfeil Fana Sishi,Johan van der Walt andThemba Zondi

8

1996

John Green, Gabrielle Cele,Thembi Khawula andSagie Nair (late)

John Harrison, Ida Peterson,Myrtle van Heerden and Zandile Mzindle

Ravi Pillay Ann McKaY(Oskarshamn International Conference)

10

1997

Floyd Dlangamandla, Kay Nair,Bonnie Mpofana and Dudu Malinga

4

1998

Gregory Nota ,Peggy Nkonyeni,Philip Christiansen andVictor Cele andGulshera Khan ( Oskarshamn International Conference)

Cathy Acheson, David Memela,Dumisani Khumalo andThemba Mavundla

9

1999

Ronnie Nair, Ellen Mbele,Jennifer Moses and Mimi Jabe

4

2000

DD Naidoo ,Kogan Moodley,Lynne Footit, Mandla Cele,Dominica Msomi and Douglas Rawlins

Elsie Zulu, Cheryl Gamble,Pardon Mathebula and Trevor Hodgson (late)

10

2001

Thandi Phehlukwayo, Gary Moodley,Rose Sheme andPeppy Govender

Daniel Malishe ,Thabani Cele,Zinhle Ndabezithe and Eslina Rakaki

8

2002

Christa Nightingale, Gertrude Lushaba, Caleb Phehlukwayo andPauline Duncan

Dell Pendock ,Tholi Ngobese,Thandi Mathabatha and Cynthia Maresia

8

2003

Lulu Bodla ,Marcia Kriek,Bash Naidoo and Ravi Pillay

Annette Gamble, Noswazi Gwexe,Sandile Makhanya and Ntombifuthi Shomela

8

2004

Jeeva Kistasamy, Bongiwe Malishe,Anderson Nyawose(late) and Jurgens Steyn. Farea Engar- student of P.S Sec

5

2005

Thaira Rahimtoola, Esmy Poweys, and 2 others were invited by Gunilla, Oskargymnsium

Pauline Duncan Sibongile Zamisa ( GSJ INVITE)

Gulshera Khan, Dudu Malinga,Lynne Footit ,Gary Moodley,Zinhle Ndabezitha ,Kay Nair (Port Shepstone Twinning Association Management Council visit to OSAK)

12

2006

Mayor NF Shusha, Clr Doctor Njoko,Deirdre Rankin and Brian Dube (HCM)

Lynne Footit, Mzi Ndwalane,Londi Ngubane, Phumlile Zondi.Sandile Cimela (150th Anniversary: Oskarshamn Municipality)

9

2007

Joyce Majola Pauline Duncan (GJS INVITE)

Marlene Naicker, Anisa Moosa,Tenille Ragoobar, Goodwell Madikane, Zibuyile Tutshini, Soma Iyaloo,Rischav Pillay ,Nonhlanhla Ngcobo and Sanele Cele ( Triangle project)

Dr Sipho Nzimande (eSayidi FETC/Lars Kagg Skolan co-operation)

12

2008

Cynthia Mqwebu Toffie Khumalo Thabani Nxumalo Khumbuzile Cele ( HIV and Aids project- HCM)

Penny Letsatsi-Nguqa ,Judy Mkhize ,Silvy Ragoobar and Justice Ngesi (Time Travel)

Thabang Moshoeshoe ( eSayidi FET/ Lars K Skolan)

Kobus van Vuuren, Vela Mazibuko andSibongiseni Dlamini

(Visit to Soderhamn- Ugu/ Soderhamn co-operation)

12

2009

May: Prenesen Naidoo, Joe Venter, Sizwe Gcaba and Gulshera Khan ( Time Travel Delegation) 4

May: Lynne Footit, Christa Nightingale, and 2 GroundBreakers ( HIV/Aids) 4

Sept/ Oct: Mayor Cele, Brian Dube, Thabani Cele, Lyvuso Mahlaka (mm), Dr. Sibaya ( Head of Education),Lindiwe ( Deputy Director - FET), Pauline Duncan ( PSTA)and 4 Educators from ESayidi FET

2010

May Delegation- Time Travel Project"Howard Masomi, Thulas Mkhize and Rosey Mudaly

HCM Delegation to Oskarshamn Commune

Mayor Shusha

Ronnie Nair

Dr. Njoko

Sbu Mkhise

Nomusa Zulu

Colin Ngilande

another female ( white employee)

Youth Delegation:

Ayanda Nwabe

Yachika

Jeevan

2011

Soderhamn Delegation:

2 educators: Famida and a teacher from Gamalakhe ESayidi FET college and 10 students from eSayidi campuses.

Global Profile Project - Kalmar

Dinah Naidoo - Marsec

Hazel - Nobamba High school

GRAND TOTAL = 164` ( all projects and partnerships as a direct spin- off of this twinning relationship)

National Meetings and Exchange: Via the Twinning Project over the years there has been many representatives to various meetings, conferences, workshops.

1999

David Memela and Gulsher Khan - presenations and attendance - workshop - Cape Town
2

2000

Kay Nair and Pauline Duncan -Meeting at Swedish Embassy- early 2000.

2

2008: Bridging Ages Conference and Participation in Bridging Ages: Pauline Duncan, Yugesh Pillay, Thembi, Sibongile Zamisa, Penny Latsatsi and Gulshera Khan

2009

October - Bridging Ages Launch: Gulshera Khan - elected secretry of Bridging Ages SA.

Live TV. Panel Discussion - Johannesburg:

Gulshera Khan- on panel, Representing schools: Judy Mkhize, Silvy Ragoobar and Johan Buys

Time Travel Delegation 9 - 18 February 2009 - " WE NEED TO RECORD OUR HISTORY"

A delegation of 4 will be arriving from Sweden on Monday, 9th February 2009.

They are : Ebbe - Senior Curator and Archaeologist at Kalmar Lans museum, Helen - educator based at the museum, Meg, - a historian and Laila - an educator. An old friend from Oskarshamn.Gunnar, an expert in Folkbilding , (giving one a second chance in education) will join them on the 10th .

A 2 day workshop on TT is planned for 11 and 12 February 2009 at Marsec school, commencing at 2.30 until 6pm. Meetings are planned with individuals and institutions to explore and introduce Time Travel methodology to our region. A site will be identified to pilot the first Time Travel project. This is scheduled to take place towards the latter of the year but is dependent on funding and our committment to the project.

Interested persons that would like to know more about this project or contribute in anyway, please feel free to contact members of the Twinning Association.

Gulshera Khan , TT - Convenor

A CHALLENGE FOR ALL OF US!

There is a crying need for a professional, dedicated and credible " Our History Project" that seeks to research, record and publish for this and future generations the history of our region, especially the last 20 years.

This should include our struggle against apartheid, the violence of the 1990's, the peace process, building democracy and not least economic history.

There are many, many stories of struggle and sacrifice, of pain and death, of hereos and heroines, of courage and success, of betrayal and failure.

This task is now very urgent because many of the real life participants and other custodians of this history are fast passing on. Prince was one such example. Sipho was the other. Anderson Nyawosa from Shobashobana, a past delegate. Saggie Nair and not forgetting George Mbele.

There is the real danger that if we delay further, that when we do start, there will be no original sources any more. That would be a further tragedy and a grave disservice not only to future generations but also the generation that gave so much for all of us.

GULSHERA KHAN

Expansion of Twinning beyond Oskarshamn.

Since 1993, many Swedes, especially from Oskarshamn were part of the twinning, one to one empowerment and democracy project. Due to this link, during the former years, a Tourist Company in Soweto that has links with the Swedish tour operators, twice a year, included Port Shepstone as part of their itinerary. They interacted with members of Twinning, attended church and shopped in the town of Port Shepstone, giving our region further exposure.

This was further enhanced and expanded with the focus on the project approach, especially Global School Journey and Triangle project. New twinning interests and initiatives emerged , viz Lars Kagg Skolan project with eSayidi Fet and the most recent Ugu and Soderhamn Twin Town Agreement.

Port Shepstone and our region are now touching base with approximately 27 other towns from all over Sweden. This is positive for our country and a boost for local economy.

Although our official twinning relationship is with the town of Oskarshamn, this interest has now cascaded to other towns, viz:

Kalmar, Hultsfred, Öland, Västeras, Södertälje,Vetlanda,
Hageberg,Lidingö , Stockholm, Skellefteå,Skövde, Söderhamn, Högsby, Norrköping, Söderköping, Vetlanda,Växjö, Alingsås, Borlänge, Nyköping, Hagfors, Uppsala, Edsbyn, Eslöv, Lidingö, Falun, Skellefteå , Nyköping,Vårgårda, Fagersta, Klintehamn , Bålsta and Monsteras.

Pauline is thanked for identifying the towns that are in contact with us in some way or the other.

In addition to the above, our involvement in the Time Travel and the Bridging Ages Conference has created further links with 10 other countries, globally.

Where to from here? Our involvement , committment and passion for the expansion and development of our region will determine this. The possibilities are endless.

PAY IT FORWARD!

FEEDBACK ON BLOG

Hi

I just previewed the website and spent some time on it.

I was most impressed by the information on display. It has a wealth of information. My congratulations goes to all the persons who contributed towards the development of this website. The photographs and the content was indeed long overdue. The website is Informative, Creative, Attractive and very interesting. It communicates to the public really what Twinning is all about. Potential funders could log on and get first hand information on the activities of the Port Shepstone Twinning Association.

My special congratulations to the entire leadership and members of the PS Twinning Association for the exceptional initiative taken to go online. You deserve all the credit.

Regards

Johnny Rajoo
Enyenyezi Technical College, Bhobhoyi
Campus Manager
21 January 2009

TELL YOUR STORY

MESSAGE FROM OSAK CHAIRMAN - TORMOD NESSET AT 2008 PSTA, AGM.

Dear Twinning friends.

We all know that there is a lot of work ahead of you, for a number of reasons.The main reason is that you all accepted working with OSAK and all others we suggested to you. But what a great luck for us in Sweden, that we in 1993 found a town, organisations and individuals, those said yes to our proposals at that time and still are.

The fantastic work you have done over all this years and still are doing, is sometimes beyond believe. It is our common work that has brought our municipalities together. That UGU is involved with Oskarshamn and others, that schools all over Sweden are in your area today and that hundreds of people both in Oskarshamn and in fact the whole of Kalmar county, has personal friends in your beautiful area and country.

And have we learned the lesson and slowed down a little? Not at all, in fact we are now in a face where we are busier than ever. Our common determination and knowledge, that only through hard work, for greater values, democracy, friendship and love between all people, can we participate in creating a work for all too live in, drives us together. But we must admit, nothing of all that has happened so far it due to your good work in Port Shepstone twinning and we admire you all for that.

Dear friends, have a good AGM meeting and may you take good decisions as always.There is so many of us in OSAK, that no longer can live without you, so let’s make a common decision tonight. Let us grow old together.

Love to you . Tormod NessET

PSTA OBJECTIVES,MEMBERSHIP AND ACOUNTABILITY

The Port Shepstone Twinning Association has been in existence since 1993 and is governed by its constitution.

Embodied in the Constitution are the following objectives:

1 To provide opportunities for people to come together to communicate, to share ideas, skills and resources; and to do so regardless of race, profession, religion, culture, gender, age and political persuasion.

2. To promote reconciliation, understanding and the development of a common identity among all the people in the greater Port Shepstone area.

3. To promote co-operation, friendship and solidarity among the people of the greater Port Shepstone and the twinning town/s

4. To encourage networking among all role players in the interest of community organizations and institutions.

5. To facilitate and promote links between local government structures and organizations in Port Shepstone and their counterparts in the twinning town/s.

6. To facilitate and support the development of individuals, communities and organisations by such means as promoting research, sharing of skills and expertise and accessing relevant resources.

7. To facilitate exchange visits between individuals/ organizations for such purposes as study, skills transfer, project monitoring and cross-cultural experiences.

MEMBERSHIP

1 The Constitution provides for various types of membership including individual and corporate membership, i.e projects / institutions / organisations and govertment.

2. Over the years the Association’s activities have resulted in the establishment of many contacts between our members on the one hand and individuals and organizations in our twinning partner host country on the other. This has resulted in the opening of many doors of opportunity for the Association and its members.

ACCOUNTABILITY

The key principle of accountability underpins the democratic values of the Organisation.It is therefore necessary that all activities be well co-ordinated and effectively monitored, fostering the aims of the Association and honouring the interests of the wider community.