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Tania Major, an ambitious young indigenous Australian from Cape York,
came to spend the afternoon with SAEP on 15 March 2007.
Tania has recently been awarded the prestigious Young Australian of the
Year award for her work amongst the young people in her impoverished
aboriginal community and for her political achievements.
She was in South Africa as part of a diplomatic mission, and was
accompanying the premier of her province. She met Norton some years ago
at a conference in Australia, and therefore asked that a visit to SAEP
be included in her extremely tight itinerary.
Tania arrived at SAEP on Thursday afternoon, after a visit with the
deputy-president, Phumzile Mlambo-Ncuke in the morning. She met Jane
Keen, Asanda, Phozi and Charne at Erin Hall, and left immediately for
Sinethemba, where she spoke to a gathering of Mr Seyisi's learners, all
of whom are involved in one or more of SAEP's programmes. |
The children were fascinated by her
accent and the pronunciation of aboriginal words, and Mr Seyisi and
Mr Boopedi asked some challenging questions about the importance of
education, Australian perceptions and school exchanges.
After that the entourage left for Zamukhanyo, one of SAEP's most
needy and friendly crèches. Tania was treated to a singing show by a
group of the children, who are being taught by Noluthando, the
crèche principal, to use a variety of musical instruments.
As the last activity, Tania met with the entire group of Gap Year
Interns back at Porter House. Tania and the interns sat around the
table for tea and a moving discussion about the difficulties facing
black youth in Australia and South Africa. Tania shared stories of
the prejudices and struggles faced by her community and served as an
inspiration for the interns by displaying what dedication to a cause
can accomplish. The interns inspired Tania, as well, as they spoke
passionately about the problems facing South Africa's youth and
their own ambitions for a more equal society. |
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Tania Major speaks to the Gap Year
Interns. Augustine and Mongamo listen intently. |
Andile Nqoko, a 2005 Gap Year
Intern and Maths tutor to this year's students, shares his
perspective with Tania and the Interns |
