Marinating Our MST (Maths, Science & Technology)

Our teaching is like a 'braai' in whatever occassion
We enjoy the 'braai' with the little cash we have
No expensive spices needed
No fancy braai stands, fires or charcoal
We even pick it when it falls into the dust
And claim that “Iwe ngoboya”

That’s what we need to do to our teaching
Pick it up and enjoy it at whatever cost
Enjoy it with whatever resources
Be it in the morning, afternoon or evening
Be it weekdays, weekends or holidays
For the satisfaction of everyone

There are Olympiads, Expos and Festivals
There are competitions, quizzes, tests and explorations
There are observations, investigations and experimentations
There are surveying, researching and comparing
Then there are findings, deducing and conclusions

Let’s go on and write scientific stories and poems
Let’s perform scientific dances and plays
Let’s sing scientific songs and record them on audio and video
Let’s publish scientific photos and books
Let’s do them at home, in the community and everywhere
Let’s make MST easy, simple and fun

Remember that MST affects our daily lives
Remember that MST is not for the clever or genius
Remember that MST give us hard times if we are ignorant
Remember that we are alive because of MST
Remember that almost every success is because of MST
Why we need air, water, food, technology, Remember?

Ultimately we are going to die
Should we die with such important skills and methodologies?
Or should we die because we were useless anyway?
Who are we blaming for not having an enjoyable braai of MST?
When are we going to begin to blame ourselves?
For we need to be the best MST teachers that we could be!

by: Zongz Tshobas

NB: I got the inspiration to write this poem from the inputs by Siyabulela Matshayana (MDAMSTEDA Chairperson), Mr Mfundo Myeki (ASESA Deputy Chairperson) and Mr Fanyana Mazibuko
(TEASA Director).