First Time Travel in KwaZulu-Natal
Short Evaluation: Our first Time Travel project in Port Shepstone, KwaZulu-Natal, in October 2009, was a resounding success. As a voluntary, non govt. organisation, finances, resources, costumes, transport, groceries were challenges. Within two days, Ugu district municipality came to our aid. We worked as a team, Ebbe and colleagues including our time travel committee members. Every person understood the relevancy of this project to our community, found the time to participate and responded positively. Full attendance on a Sunday afternoon planning meeting is one example of the commitment by the three pilot schools: Marburg, Nobabmba and Merlewood Secondary Schools, as well as our local museum and many other community members.
Three months preceding the first time travel project, the team worked consistently: oral history, research, site visits etc. Museum Services from Pietermaritzburg was extensively involved in collating research material, including many other persons, that read, researched and made efforts to go the extra mile. We formed a study group and shared information on our local heritage sites. It is sad that so little is documented about the people of this region. It was a project that far exceeded our expectations. The photographs speak for themselves.
Our idea of mixing the learners from the three schools on the three Time Travel days could not have been better planned. It brought about unity, understanding our background and history, skills and learning in different areas and above all an overwhelming YES for continuity. This is just the beginning of many future projects. We have now included Mlazi and Marburg Primary schools and extended the pilot project for 2010. Funding is a major hurdle but if we could have done it with limited finances once, nothing is impossible when we put our resources together. The evaluation by the learners is self explanatory towards in-depth teaching in historic environments and Time Travel as an educational method in all learning areas. But this method goes beyond the learner and schools, for the first time there is a conscious effort in documenting our history from the bottom up perspective, in bringing about understanding, reconciliation, healing and sharing of resources. Thanking each and every person that made a contribution, the whole Time Travel Committee and others and our learners of course.
Gulshera Khan Time Travel Coordinator in Port Shepstone, South Africa
Comments from the learners after the Port Shepstone Time Travels:
-I remember from the Time Travel how the different race groups were joining each other in numerous daily activities. -I learnt to speak freely and encourage myself to stand up for what's right and what I believe in. -I learnt that fighting does not solve problems but causes more problems than solutions. -The dancing in the circle was fantastic, Indian dance and zulu dance. We threw all our differences aside and got into a trance. -I will never forget this Time Travel, even if I try. -Make Time Travel available for everyone.
