ehlanzeni Resource Centre
The eHlanzeni Resource Centre
eHlanzeni Resource Centre is a secondary project of Dexter and Matu Zama (DMZ) Agricultural Academy. It was established in 2023 to cater to the needs of children from Grades R to Grade 7. After lockdown, there was a numeracy and literacy skills gap due to a period of non-school attendance. During this time, a home-schooling project was run, which resulted in the establishment of eHlanzeni Resource Centre to try and remedy the knowledge gap.
The centre is situated in eHlanzeni, near Magabheni, Umkomaas on the KwaZulu Natal South Coast. The main objectives of the centre are to:
- Assist children in bonding with books.
- Develop the 3 R's – reading, writing, and arithmetic (numeracy).
- Develop and strengthen cognitive abilities.
- Widen general knowledge.
- Develop social skills.
- Address challenges in Mathematics at secondary level.
Develop the “3 R's”
Children are nurtured to develop adequate skills in reading, writing, and arithmetic. Skills are adequately developed when the children can read with understanding, write well, and apply arithmetic concepts with confidence. Borrowing books from the library and continuous practice by doing comprehension and arithmetic exercises assist in the development of writing and arithmetic abilities.
Assist children in bonding with books
Children are encouraged to develop a positive relationship with reading and to read with understanding. They are encouraged to borrow books from the library, which is divided into senior and junior phase sections.
Widen General Knowledge
This objective is aimed at children developing a holistic view of learning, which includes activities of interest outside the classroom. The center has a relationship with an organisation in Johannesburg that shares the same interest. Networking activities are organized along with information-sharing sessions. Exciting visits to Shaka Marine are shared with the organisation from Johannesburg.
Develop & strengthen cognitive abilities
Children are enabled to develop and strengthen their cognitive skills. The little ones are engaged in stimulating discussions and picture reading. This involves engagement in activities such as board games and physical exercise. During longer school holidays, interested children attend chess training sessions hosted by an external chess coach. As a result, one of the children took part in a chess tournament in November 2023.
Address challenges in Mathematics at secondary level
Children’s grasp of mathematical concepts is strengthened by providing remedial Mathematics lessons once a week to those experiencing challenges.
Develop Social Skills
Children are assisted in developing social skills by engaging in activities such as role-playing, and make-believe storytelling. We endeavour to strengthen socially acceptable behaviour traits.
Secondary Project
eHlanzeni Resource Centre has a satellite branch in Amandawe, near Scottburgh in Ugu District. The center in Amandawe caters for children from Grade R to Grade 7. Stimulation is given to children up to Grade 3 by enabling them to draw, recite rhymes, and play in a safe environment. Children in Grades 4 to 7 are assisted with schoolwork that they may have found challenging.
