Twinning partnership still going strong
The twinning partnership is most unique – it is people-to-people relationships and contacts.
Port Shepstone Twinning Association, established in November 1994, continues to engage in international and local programmes and projects as a community and volunteer driven organisation.
Gulshera Khan, the first chairperson of Port Shepstone Twinning Association, has since 2019 worked as a volunteer and elected president of Bridging Ages International.
She is the first president from the African continent.
Bridging Ages practices the Time Travel method, supporting the strategic sustainable 2030 goals of the United Nations.
The head office is based at Kalmar museum, Sweden.
In essence the Time Travel Method is an educational method using local heritage in a learning process, creating reflection on contemporary issues and providing tools for community building.
Over 20 countries are members of Bridging Ages, spread over four continents.
The goal is to promote learning, social cohesion and contribute to community building.
The Time Travel Educational Handbook has been launched locally and internationally.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, three people spent over a month daily in compiling the Time Travel Education Handbook.
They were Dr E Westergren (founder of Time Travel Method, Sweden), Gulshera Khan (coordinator of the Time Travel programme, PSTA) and Dr Balenthran Gounden (a school principal who has experience in Time Travel).
This took place during the peak of the pandemic when most countries were on lockdown.
This book was work in process for over five years and its completion was a major relief, not only for South Africa, but for many countries that waited in anticipation.
Thanks were extended to the many contributors.
They are acknowledged in the book, including volunteers and Time Travel facilitators.
Local English ‘expert’ Terry Audan took on the task of editing and the book was proofread by DD Naidoo.
All of the above was a mammoth undertaking including book layout and time spent at the printers. A motivation to Kalmar lans museum, Sweden made it possible for 250 printed copies. This is the first comprehensive book on the Time Travel method at International level.
The book was launched in Port Shepstone in June 2022.
On July 30 the book was launched at Bridging Ages International Conference, held in Turkey.
Bridging Ages President Gulshera Khan, was accompanied by Dr Gounden.
The travel was fully covered by the Bridging Ages Turkish team.
Over the last decade, there has been a shift in funding policies in Sweden, with priorities changing.
Hence, there have been fewer funded programmes.
The twinning partnership is most unique – it is people-to-people relationships and contacts.
Deep relationships developed over the years.
Respective individuals from various schools and communities source the funding for continued programmes of empowerment, beneficial to both countries.
Discussion about a collaboration between the two schools began in 2019.
Detailed programmes on dates for the physical exchanges to both countries were twice postponed due to Covid-19 travel restrictions.
It eventually culminated in September where a delegation of four had the opportunity to explore and visit the school in Sweden focusing on subjects – maths, physical science and English – and a similar exchange from Slottskolan to Port Shepstone during October 2022.
The success of this exchange resulted in further funding.
In October a delegation of two educators and two learners spent two weeks in the local community.
The collaboration continued with Ingwemabala Comprehensive High School and Marburg Primary School .
The Swedish delegates were Christinah Larson (Slottskolan coordinator), Jonas Boberg (maths and physics teacher) and the two learners, Julia Noren and Sanna Martinsson.
They spent two weeks on the coast.
This included time at Ingwemabala and Marburg primary schools.
There was an exchange programme last year between these schools.
This collaboration has been cemented on the 30 years of visits conducted by delegates from South Africa and Sweden, managed by PSTA-Port Shepstone Twinning Association.
This partnership is beneficial for both countries as it discusses topics like xenophobia, school management, culture and diversity, education for sustainable development, teaching and learning methods, heritage and time travel.
Learners realised that the present Ingwemabala was started by Swedish missionaries. This collaboration is so relevant.
The highlights of this year’s collaboration were that the delegates visited communities and experienced communal activities, food, dance and tours.
The delegates visited Inyandezulu Community Care project, managed by PTSA and renovated from donations outsourced from Sweden.
They also went to the Inyandezulu waterfall and Lake Eland. Other activities included the seminar with local schools and meeting department of education officials.
When evaluating the programme, Christinah Larson said: “We learn in different ways and it is quite interesting.”
Ingwemabala school coordinator, Philani Gcaba said: “Learners involved in the programme have excelled academically and there is active involvement in teaching and learning.”
Dr Gounden, Marburg Primary principal, said: “I strongly believe that we can achieve much more in our future endeavours.”
Gulshera Khan representative, PSTA and Bridging Ages International president, echoed: “This collaboration brought back the old Twinning vibe and commitment engaging communities.”
