Cape Town Mapping Project

My name is Abongile and I live in Khayelitsha, G section.  I was born in Cape Town. My mother was born in the Eastern Cape in Cala, Lower Lufutha. My grandmother was born in the Eastern Cape as well in Dyavu.  And, my grandfather was born in the Eastern Cape, in Cala at Madwaleni.  I'm interested in achieving more in my life than other members in my family so that I can make them realise that through perseverance there is hope. I am also interested in expressing my feelings in any way that I possibly can.

I speak two languages- English, and my home language isiXhosa.  My career goal is to be a medical scientist, and architecture is my second choice, but I’m not sure. Something that you may not know about me is that I am very good in mathematics but I am shy in showing my ability to people. A special person to me is Nobonginkosi Mambathane because she is a woman in my community who helps old people to read, write and to speak English.

My name is Analo and I’m 16 years old. I am in grade 11 at COSAT, the Centre Of Science And Technology. I was born here in Cape Town in the Western Cape.  Both of my parents were born in the Eastern Cape, and so were my grandparents. I have lived in CT since I was born in the small township of Khayelitsha (Makhaza).  I usually go to the Eastern Cape during holidays.

I enjoy learning math and science. But, I’m always willing and interested to learn about other subjects as well. I speak two languages- IsiXhosa and English. I’m a hardworker, I strive for the best, and I set goals in order to reach success. In less than two years, I see myself in UCT if not CPUT studying engineering. I know I can reach my goal if I persevere and put a lot of effort in my studies.

I was born in Cape Town. I’m the first generation in my family to be born in the Cape, and my grandparents and parents were born in the Eastern Cape in another part of South Africa. There is a lot that interests me like sports, art and science. I like doing things that interest me because that way I’m calm. I’ve played at least four different sports over the past three years. And, art is my life- I’ve always loved drawing.

I’m not 100% sure of what I want to do since I like many things, but I’ve got a really good idea- I want to do something in science and I’m thinking of forensic pathology, but I have not yet made up my mind. And, this project with architecture got me thinking too- it might be fun. Something unusual about me is that I like rough sports- most girls play netball, but I prefer rugby, cricket or soccer, and I also like wrestling.

Significant people and places in my community include Nompilo who is a community leader who helps feed and take care of the old.  My grandma, who is unique, has many stories to tell.

Places of significance in my neighborhood include the soccer field which is a special landmark for me in my community, and the abandoned house which was fixed by the community to help a needy grandmother.

My name is Kwakhona and I am a student at COSAT, the Centre of Science and Technology.  My school is in the township of Khayelitsha which is about 20 minutes from downtown Cape Town.

I was born in the Eastern Cape and moved to the Cape Town in 1998. My mother was born in Upington, but she grew up in the Western Cape. My interests are reading fiction and romance books. I also like listening to music. I speak two languages, English and isiXhosa. I am still learning Zulu, but I am not fluent yet. My career goal is to become an engineer. Something that is not known about me is that I used to be a ballroom dancer during my primary school years.

My name is Sanelisiwe. I was born in Cape Town, Khayelitsha at Khayelitsha Day Hospital in Site B. In my family, my generation is the first to be born and raised in Cape Town. My grandparents were born and raised in the Eastern Cape in a village, and my mother was also born and raised in the Eastern Cape. My interests are studying, reading jokes, and listening to music. I can speak two languages, IsiXhosa which is my home language and English. I also know a bit of SeSotho and IsiZulu. I am not yet really sure about what I want to study at university, but I want to study something in the EBE.

One  special person in my community, who describes the kind of neighbourhood I live in and who is a symbol in my community, is a man named Baw’uQhinebe who drinks a lot. Each and every day early in the morning we hear him shouting in the street,  “Molwen’eneKapa, molwen’eMfuleni. Zikhabe mhlali, zikhabe!”, meaning, “Good morning Cape Town, good morning Mfuleni. wake up, wake up!”.   When I hear him shouting, I know it is morning. I do not need to set an alarm to wake up because once I hear him, I know I must wake up. His story may be sad because he does this walking and shouting the whole day- he has been doing this for almost 7 years now.  But, he is special to me and is a symbolic character in my community. The story goes back that he was once a happily married man, but because of his cruel wife he lost everything.

A special place in my community is the community centre. It is where people volunteer their services in an initiative to help the poor and underprivileged. Here some people volunteer to help with day care services for children from underprivileged families. Some cook for elderly people and deliver the food to their homes. One of the things happening here are fun extramural activities for children. This is one of the ways to keep children off the streets. Some of the activities include traditional dancing, netball, drama , gumboot dance and more.

I am from Cape Town and my great grandparents are also from Cape Town. They moved to Cape Town from the Eastern Cape. My grandparents gave birth to my parents, and my parents moved from the Eastern Cape to Cape Town and gave birth to me.

I am interested in many things- one of them is traveling around the world.  I am also interested in designing my own house, being a good swimmer, and learning more than 10 languages.

I speak three languages already- Afrikaans, Xhosa and English. Xhosa is my home language.  Something unusual about me is that I was in a musical band in my primary years.  My career goal is to become a doctor or an engineer.

A special place in my community is the community hall.  It is a place where you find peace and harmony; it is open, welcoming, and safe. The other special place is Zevenwacth Mall. It is a beautiful place that is designed in an unusual way.

The most special people in my life are my parents. They are special because I’m special to them. I enjoy being with them because they share many stories of their early years like how they grew up, and how luck is the 21st generation.

The other special person in my community is my seven years old friend.  She is special because I learn many things from her. She is from Zimbabwe, and I’m from South Africa, and that’s what makes things more interesting about her. She is such a smart girl-  she can speak 5 languages, and sometimes she teaches me.

I was born on 1995/05/25 in the Eastern Cape Province, in Queenstown.  My grandparents were born there, and also my parents.

I started my primary school in 2003, in a village called Vaalbank, living with my grandmamma (the mother of my father), and the name of my school was Buffalo Thorns Junior.Sec.School. That’s where I completed grades 1 to 7.

After I completed primary school, I came to the city of Cape Town and lived with both my parents and went to luhlaza High School, where I completed grades 8 and 9.

In 2012, I came to study at COSAT, the Center of Science And Technology. Now I’m in grade 11 at COSAT.

I travel 20 minutes to school on foot.  I love playing rugby- and, not just any position, but fullback. And, I like singing songs of my culture, and I want to become an obstetrician.

I was born on 10 October, 1995 in Lesotho and I speak three different languages which are Sesotho, Xhosa and English. I currently live in South Africa in the Western Cape Province in Cape Town in a city called Khayelitsha, which means “New Home.”

I started learning at Hopolang Primary School and now I attend grade 11 at COSAT. I am interested in becoming an architect because I can draw and design, and I have a vision of designing my own house.

I am a person that likes to spend time alone imagining about nature.  There is a bridge where I live, and it is where I clear my mind when I am stressed out. I think more clearly when I am at home where I am able to study with better understanding.  I spend time studying life sciences (biology) and mathematics everyday because I also would like to cure diseases, doing medicine.  Every day I wake up at 6 o’clock to go to school by train.  When I arrive, I am ready to learn new things, and the most interesting part of my day are the mathematics lessons.

I love basketball, running and drawing is my major hobby. In my community, I would like to change the gangsters’ mind to look to the future.

My name is Thando. I was born on 22 December 1996 in Cape Town. My parents are Nkosana and the late Ntombizodwa, and they were born in Willowvale, Eastern Cape where I’m originally from.

My interests are Engineering and Computer Science because I like working with electrical things. I can speak English and isiXhosa, and one day I would like to play professional soccer. Something unusual about me is that I don't talk too much or loudly- I’m a quite person and don’t like talking, but I can work with people.

I started school when I was 5 years old at Yomelela Primary School here in Khayelitsha. I’m 17 years old this year and in Grade 11 at the Centre of  Science And Technology (COSAT). I failed once in Grade 4, because I didn’t attend school, but I learned from my mistake.  

My name is Zikhona, I am a 16 year old girl and am in grade 11 at the Center of Science and Technology (Cosat). I live in the township called Khayelitsha (site b), with my parents and my siblings. My original home is Mount Fletcher, and I was born and grew up in Cape Town.

At home I speak Xhosa, but at school I speak English.  I am  interested in drawing, playing netball, and planning how things are done. I like reading books because they improve my spelling and I believe that practice makes perfect- and, by reading books I will be perfect one day.

After I have matriculated, I would like to study at the University of Stellenbosch or Cape Town, in chemical engineering, or architecture as my second option. These are two of the best universities in the Western Cape, and if you are a student of one of these universities you are guaranteed that you will be successful in life.

I will achieve my goals because I am a hardworking person who is determined to do her school work, and I will make sure that at the end of grade 12, I score very good marks. There’s a quote that I really believe in and it says, “You must work like a slave in order to live like a queen or king one day.” All in all, I am ready to face the challenges of the university and I will persevere when it is hard.  Something fun about me is that I am talkative, and I like to make jokes and I enjoy socializing.