Download the January 2017 newsletter

We know you’re all looking forward to meeting Matjana’s 2017 kids. But while they settle into preschool, we thought we’d take a moment to introduce teacher Londi!

Londiwe Colile Dlamini joined Matjana Preschool as a teacher over 18 months ago. She’s made a huge contribution to our little school in that time. Here’s what Londi had to say about her experience becoming a Matjana teacher.

How I started teaching at Matjana

I am a young 25 years girl who lives around Ndabeni, Kaphunga. I started working at Matjana preschool on the 2nd of June 2015. I was an inexperienced teacher. I knew nothing about teaching until I met Swane and Ncobile at Matjana preschool. The first week I was just learning to teach from the two teachers, by watching them. Then Ncobile said, ‘Now it’s your turn,’ and I found myself teaching.

It was not hard for me because I like kids. I remember very well my lesson. It was about the three food groups. I was basically talking about energy giving foods. I just gave the children one example so one kid shout ‘ngiyalitsandza liphalishi’ meaning ‘I like porridge’. We laughed and it was very nice and I really enjoyed teaching. But I’ve realised since then that teaching is not easy, and there is a lot we need to learn to make sure our kids get the best possible education.

Learning from teacher Ncobile

I really thank Ncobile who has contributed a lot of her skills to our school. She also taught me a lot of teaching skills, she shows me the way when I don’t know, and she is always patient to me. So now I know all the basics of teaching that Ncobile had taught me and I like teaching a lot.

I have learnt that children learn by playing and also by doing things practically. I have also learnt that for a child to master something you have to repeat it. A child is not punished by corporal punishment because it doesn’t help them learn. There are other ways to teach them how to behave nicely in class, for example talking to them or if they are really naughty, making them take time out.

Being at Matjana Preschool has also given me an opportunity to learn about operating a computer. I’m happy to be developing these skills because now I can talk to our supporters in other countries using email.

The activities I enjoy most

The things I like most at school are also the things the kids seem to like most. Our kids really enjoy traditional dancing and I also love teaching them how to dance. They all like to participate, and it’s really interesting looking at them dancing- lots of laughing. There is this song which they like ‘iMatjana siyayitsandza ngayoyonkhe inhlitiyo yetfu’, meaning ‘we love Matjana whole-heartedly’.

What I want to do in future

I am planning to rewrite my end of high school examinations for three subjects which I didn’t get high enough marks in to get a place in college. These were English, Geography and Maths. English is especially important- I will need to get a credit result in English before I can be accepted into college.

I have applied to study these subjects at Kaphunga high school which is about five kilometres away- I’ll have to walk there but I’ll be happy to do that to upgrade my education. Once I have achieved the marks I need in these subjects I will apply to Helimisi College to study for a Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Development. It’s the same college the other Matjana teachers have attended. I’m really happy to have this opportunity- I will receive support from Matjana Preschool so that I can do this.

I wish to stay at Matjana for a very long time. I am willing to contribute my experience to the coming kids in the future years and see further study as an important part of being a good teacher.