Latest Stories - CELEBRATING NELSON MANDELA DAY AT WATERFORD KAMHLABA UWCSA

18 Jul, 2024

Waterford Kamhlaba United World College of Southern Africa’s Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) students led the celebration of the 2024 Nelson Mandela International Day by inviting peers from local schools to share information about robotics with female students from public secondary schools in Mbabane, Eswatini. The event was officially opened by the College’s Principal, Jackie Otula, who emphasized the importance of collaboration and continuous engagement with the local community, especially through Waterford’s CAS program.

The CAS program at Waterford Kamhlaba UWCSA embodies the UWC and Waterford Kamhlaba missions by offering students transformative opportunities for personal growth and development. From Form 1 to IB2, students engage in activities that promote self-determination, awareness of local and global issues, innovative problem-solving, and collaboration with diverse communities within the Kingdom of Eswatini. CAS provides a platform for responsible citizenship, real and purposeful activities leading to leadership and personal development, and positive challenges. Students gain skills in planning, budgeting, project management, reflection, and reporting. A distinctive feature of Waterford Kamhlaba UWCSA is the commitment of staff and students to community service and outdoor learning, upholding the school's foundational principle of service since 1963.

In line with the 2024 Mandela Day theme, Waterford students aimed to combat inequalities in terms of the information gap, particularly for young women in STEM. They sought to connect with public schools in the community on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education for girls. Waterford Kamhlaba students made a presentation about coding and robotics, providing participants the opportunity to build their robots using the Lego First kit and learn how to start their robotics clubs in their schools. The schools that participated in this event were Vulamasango High School, Esigangeni High School, and Somnjalose High School.

Mayenziwe Mpila, a Waterford Kamhlaba student from Eswatini, mentioned that it was a pleasure to have students from the local community engage with them and share information. She said most young people did not have information about robotics, and it was important to bridge that gap. Mayenziwe is the current ambassador for First Global’s Robotics as a Sport campaign, a member of the Eswatini robotics team Fortress, and a recipient of the US Department of State 2024 Pan-African Youth Leadership Program.

Speaking about the event, Mazwi Tfwala, a Form 5 student at Esigangeni High School, said, “It was a pleasure to come to Waterford Kamhlaba. We learned a lot about coding; I had never seen a robot before, but now I can start my invention.”

Siphephelo Tsabedze, a Form 4 student at Somnjalose High School, echoed Mazwi’s words, saying, “It was a pleasure to interact with Waterford students. We learned a lot about coding. I also saw my robot, and it was even dancing; I was so happy.” 

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