Another great example of the stirrings of ‘urban revitalisation
through education’ and this time in one of the forgotten
inner city suburbs, Jeppestown!
A 1997 drive to clean up the neighbourhood gave birth to
a unique initiative. The drive brought together 4000 children
from 8 schools plus local police, traffic and fire departments.
I have always been sceptical of any real value of such actions
because they are generally not sustainable. But a unique
dynamic to halt urban decay and turn the neighbourhood around
emerged from this one, Jeppe Phakamisu Ubuntu - ‘JPU” - ‘Upliftment
and Fellowship in the Community.’
In 1998, a Saturday afternoon enrichment programme for the
children in the area was initiated by the School of Practical
Philosophy. It is still offered every Saturday and going
from strength to strength. It offers art, music, physical
activities, stories, environmental awareness, singing and
good company to local children. Then, in 1999, a day school,
St James Preparatory School (which will provide High School
classes by 2004) was established by the School of Practical
Philosophy which itself uses the School buildings in the
evenings for a wide variety of teaching and activities. From
all of this, a broader, emerging ethos through the children
themselves of reclaiming the area for the community, by the
community.
It was at this remarkable school that my morning had started,
attending assembly. Established only three years ago in its
current accommodation, the school starts at Grade 00 and
its already 120 pupils (about 20% white) go through to Grade
6. A new grade is started each year. All the children and
teachers were present at the daily assembly where the headmaster
read a portion of the Ten Commandments and then probed the
understanding of the children. Great competition and enthusiasm
to answer but equally great discipline exercised. I grimaced
inwardly - “thou shalt not steal” - whilst the environment
around the school evidences the pillaging of the built environment.
Yet the philosophy of the school resonates with what we
are all working to achieve. “In a world where values are
in confusion, there is a real need to create love and reverence
in the minds and hearts of our young people for all that
is great and good. We need to remind them of the dignity
and the excellence of human life, through which simple but
profound virtues may shine for the well-being of all. The
hope is that this generation may find the strength to live
truthful, upright, magnanimous and disciplined lives that
will serve to support the principles of unity in the family,
the nation and the world.” And even in a short hour visit
to the school one sees and experiences the philosophy resonating
through pupils and teachers.
Those who have been working in the area for some time tell
me that the environment has improved immeasurably. The palpable
fear that permeated the streets has gone and a real community
is starting to emerge. Beneath the grime and decades of neglect
are some great jewels and the growth of the Schools of Practical
Philosophy and St James Preparatory are slowly touching on
some of the physical gems as they touch on the lives of the
community. Such a gem is the now unused Synagogue, a remnant
of the days when Lithuanian Jews settled in the area. The
exterior of the shul is under extreme pressure from vandalism,
its adjoining house overrun with illegal squatters who have
decimated that building. But the JPU aims to develop the
suburb into a Centre of Excellence by upgrading existing
facilities of nursery school, recreation and sports centre,
and the senior citizens’ home, whilst providing additional
community needs such as a crisis centre. Somehow the sheer
potential of the place excites one, here is an urban regeneration
opportunity within a low income community that can be a model
for other areas, and it’s started - and started by the community.
So now is the time for Council to provide support for the
great work being done by the School of Practical Philosophy
and St James Preparatory School.
Can you go wrong when the philosophy results in “assemblies
centred on worship and singing …teachers enjoying the company
of their pupils…children respecting their teachers….classrooms
providing quiet places of learning….pupils being taught
to pay close attention….that art is about fine drawings
and accurate observation….pupils listening to the best
music… the Bible, Shakespeare and scripture from both east
and west being revered …. learning by heart is a basic
practice…. grammar the essential discipline behind language….the
Classics introducing the epic dimension….good lives, great
deeds and the fine words forming the basis for history….
debating skills and fine speech being valued highly… sport
being taught to instill fair play and team spirit.”
A great foundation for revitalising lives and communities.
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REGENERATING
AN URBAN COMMUNITY IN JOHANNESBURG