A 94-year old Eastern Cape farm worker has fulfilled a life-long dream of learning to read and write.
Vuyisile Jonono
Vuyisile Jonono was born in 1918 at the Krantzdrift Farm in the Eastern Cape. His family was poor, and coupled with there being no schools in the area; he was never given a formal education. He never had the opportunity to learn how to read or write.
For many years, Vuyisile worked on an ostrich and goat farm near Grahamstown. In 2000, the farm was converted into the Kwandwe Private Game Reserve and a new management team took over. One of the first things the team did was to introduce a Media Works Adult Education and Training (AET) programme for all their employees.
“I had always wanted to learn how to read and write but I did not know who to contact or where to start the process, so I was very pleased when the programme started,” Vuyisile says.
At the ripe old age of 83, a life-long wish came true when he learnt how to write his name as a result of the AET programme. The training that he has received has changed his entire life. Where he used to make a cross on the signature line when he collected his pension every month, he now writes his full name.
“I am now 94 years old and have passed my AET Level 1 exams that were introduced by Media Works. You would think that at my age I would feel stressed about the work that needs to be completed I the training courses, but this is not the case. I am excited by the prospect of learning more each day and it means that my dreams are becoming a reality,” he ends.
