Tag Archives: sifiso cebisa

by | August 28, 2012 · 3:09 pm

PPI-SA Racks Up Awards at Sasol Techno X 2012

PPI-SA saw 20 learners pass through their stations every 20 minutes during the 5-day Sasol Techno X exhibition.

During the week of the 13th – 17thAugust 2012, members of PPI-SA were invited to exhibit the PPI-SA brand at the Sasol Techno X exhibition in Sasolburg. Sasol, an innovative South African energy giant, hosts Sasol Techno X each year as an exhibition that focuses on displays, workshops, tours, talks and hands-on activities aimed at enthusing learners, students, and the general public about the endless possibilities of science and technology. The event seeks to expose, at a practical level, the many facets of technology and encourage learners to explore the wide range of exciting disciplines and career choices that science, math and technology offer. At the 2012 event, approximately 23,000 learners passed through the exhibition over a 5-day span.

Being the first time the organization has been asked to exhibit our brand at such a high-profile event, the acceptance was met with a mix of excitement and nervousness as preparations began. However, by the time all of the planning and hard work was put into action at the exhibition, it was clear that PPI-SA had hit a home run.

PPI-SA exhibited our brand by having both a basketball and a life skills stand situated right next to each other. During the sessions,

PPI-SA coaches Thobekile Mjwara and Sifiso Cebisa boarded an airplane for the first time on their way to the exhibition in Sasolburg.

approximately 20 young adults passed through every 20 minutes and, in true PPI style, our crew brought the energy and the noise.

The life skills station in particular was easily one of the most exciting stations at the exhibition. At the conclusion of the 5-day exhibition, PPI-SA earned several awards from Sasol Community Affairs, including Best Sasol Exhibition, Best Sasol Exhibition Enthusiasm, and Best Sasol Exhibition Interactivity. I think it is safe to say that Sasol was very impressed by what PPI-SA had to offer.

On behalf of the thousands of children’s whose lives PPI-SA has been able to impact through Sasol’s contributions and opportunities, we would like to say “Thank You”.

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by | June 5, 2012 · 1:50 pm

A Letter from Nombuso Dlamini to her PPI-SA Family

Nombuso spent 5 years as a coach and office assistant with PPI-SA.

Recently we said goodbye to Nombuso Dlamini who was a member of the PPI family for five years as a coach, and also worked as our administrative assistant. Nombuso moved on to other opportunities but recently wrote PPI-SA a card in which she expressed her thanks and love for what the PPI-SA family has done for her. We hope that Nombuso’s card can give you an idea of how our PeacePlayers “family” works here in South Africa:

Thanks to PPI!

I’m not sure whether these words would be able to cover all I want to say, but if they don’t, I hope you can understand how full of meaning they are.

You have contributed so much value to my life. I really feel that I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for the kind of people (family) that you are. I’ve never been inspired like this, and my attitude has changed for the better because of being around people like you. I can’t forget to thank Nasiphi and Douwie for their motivations. I think Sifiso C. was right when he said you guys should be motivational speakers. I know I have said this beore, but Ntobeko has been more like my uncle overall. Thobani taught me a lot of things about life and was like my mentor. I know that the four hours of life skills meetings we had were meant to prepare kids sessions, but honestly I think I benefitted way more than the kids from them!

Thobani, I’ve never seen such dedication and passion and I really feel that you should be treated like treasure to PPI. Please follow that passion of yours, you rock (ungamadwala). Mtu, I regret I was not on the City-Wide team now that my whole job is event planning! To Marcel, you’re the star. I was looking forward to working with you and learning from you, but I know everyone at PPI-SA will benefit from you joining our organization.

Just a lesson for everyone, especially the Area Coordinators, make sure you use these people and the opportunity you have to learn, all the things we learn at PPI help us in the future. As for everyone, keep that PPI flag up there. I’m proud of being a PPI product, and I know many more people will leave PeacePlayers as better people. “You have changed my perceptions.”

I really miss you guys. I’ve learned so much from all of you.

Love,

Nombuso D.

Nombuso’s ever-present smile and kindness will be missed.

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by | January 24, 2012 · 2:35 pm

Who’s Who in the Zoo? Getting to Know Sifiso Cebisa and Bonge Dube, PPI-SA’s Newest Area Coordinators

This week, PPI Fellow Taylor Brown interviews PPI-SA’s newest staff members, Sifiso Cebisa and Bonge Dube, who are very excited about their new roles within the organization.

Sfiso Cebisa, PPI-SA's new Area Coordinator for Lamontville.

Taylor: What has been the impact of PPI-SA in your life so far? How long have you been a part of the program?

Sifiso: At the age of 12, my Father passed away. I had no one teaching me how to grow as a man and how to have a positive impact on my community. My friends and I went to LDP tryouts in Grade 10, and at that time I didn’t consider myself a “good kid”. When PPI came into my life, everything changed. I saw a place where I can have a say without people laughing at me. PPI’s “Family” slogan really appealed to me and offered me the opportunity to share my personal life with my PPI friends and coach. I participated in LDP for 2 years, and in 2008 I became a Primary School coach at Excelsior Primary School in Lamontville. I have been coaching in the Leadership Development Program and Primary School Program since, and now in 2012 I have become the Area Coordinator for Lamontville.

Bonge: I started as a participant in Grade 6 at Mzuzu Primary School in Umlazi and then I played for LDP in Umlazi. In 2008 I started coaching at the Primary School level at Mthethweni Primary School in Umlazi and then coached at iZwelesthembiso Primary School for three years from 2008 to 2011. Now, beginning in 2012 I’m the Area Coordinator for Umlazi.

I’ve learned so much from PPI; how to coach and how to facilitate with children. I still have to learn what Area Coordinators do, and I’ve already learned so much these first two weeks. I love working with children and how to educate them about HIV/AIDS, as this allows me to contribute positively to my community.

Bonge Dube, PPI-SA's new Area Coordinator for Umlazi.

Taylor: Congratulations on earning the position of Area Coordinator with PPI-SA! What are some of your plans for Lamontville and Umlazi this year?

Sifiso: I’d like to get the Lamontville Primary School participants to take basketball very seriously and use it as a platform to be a part of the Lamontville Leadership Development Program team. I’d also like to encourage the parents to get involved in the Lamontville program and to host basketball tournaments that bring in teams from other areas in Durban.

Bonge: I want to participants to learn more about Life Skills, specifically around HIV/AIDS and peer pressure, and also for them to reach their goals and further their studies. I’d also like our participants to be more involved in basketball, since doing so helps them to avoid doing bad things.

Taylor: What’s your favorite thing about PeacePlayers?

Sifiso: My favorite thing is that “we are family”. I love that everyone comes from different backgrounds, but treats each other the same, regardless of race, religion or gender. There are so many people within the PPI organization that I look up to now as role models, that are also my friends.

Bonge: The tournaments. Having so many kids (nearly 1,000) together – playing, having fun, learning and growing together.

Taylor: If you could have a meal with one person in the world this Saturday night, who would it be?

Sifiso: Definitely LeBron James, because we have a lot in common – he also grew up without a Father and he worked hard to get where he is today. Also, he’s the best basketball player in the world, who also works hard to make a difference in the community.

Bonge: Sfiso Ncwane (a South African gospel singer) because his music inspires me!

Taylor: Thanks, guys, for your time and introducing yourselves to the readers of the PPI blog. Looking forward to a successful year and some new energy in the Lamontville and Umlazi communities! Best of luck with your new roles with PPI – SA!

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by | December 27, 2011 · 2:51 pm

A Christmas Tradition in Lamontville

Young vs. Old at Cele Court in Lamontville on Christmas morning.

For the past 7 Christmas mornings in Lamontville (“LA”), one of the most successful areas in the PPI-SA programme, the “Old School” and the “New School” of the LA basketball community has come together for some pick-up basketball, holiday celebration and fun at Cele, the community court in LA. This year, the VERY hot and humid weather definitely favoured the New School team, often leading to fast breaks, with the Old School team slowly getting back on defense and breathing heavily. A great time was had by all!

Sifiso Mthembu, Molweni's Area Coordinator, made the trip to Lamontville for the game.

This year’s participants included many current (and past) PPI-SA coaches and staff, including Programme Manager c, Lamontville Area Coordinator Thobani Khumalo, Molweni Area Coordinator Sifiso Mthembu, PPI Fellow Taylor Brown, LDP Coaches Sphe Mdlalose and Brian Mkhize, and PSP coach Sifiso Cebisa. Recently departed PPI Fellow, Claire Perry, also “Skyped-In” to the event from back in the States.

Happy Holidays from PPI-SA!

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