Lowell Vickers: Chairperson, Port Elizabeth Chapter Leader
I was born in East London and grew up on a farm in the Lady Grey district of the North Eastern Cape. Obtained a National Diploma in Electrical Engineering at PE Technikon and spent most of my career as a Sales Engineer, marketing and selling products in the Process Control Industry, both in Gauteng and here in the Eastern Cape.
I married Daleen in 2004, and we have two boys, Liam (17) and Ewan (14). I left the corporate game in October 2016. We decided to make the move to homeschooling during the first term of 2017, and so have been home-schoolers since April 2017. We lean more towards the unschooling approach, with a mixed bag of curriculum content. Currently, I home-school our boys, while also working on building an MLM business, and our dream of a homesteading lifestyle, where we would like to go off the grid as much as possible, and become self-sufficient, using the principles of permaculture.
We love how homeschooling fits hand in glove with the lifestyle philosophy we are pursuing:
Permaculture Homestead
Self Sufficiency
Energy Conservation
Simple, Free Lifestyle
Nqwenelwa (Nqwesh) Jako: Secretary
I was born and raised in Mthatha. I completed my Bachelor of Commerce degree in accounting at the University of Fort Hare. I am an inspirational speaker and a certified life coach. I am a registered Chartered accountant, currently lecturing in Accounting at university. I also offer tutoring services for English, Maths and Accounting to primary and high school students.
I have always been passionate about education, I guess my parents influenced me in this regard. Being raised by parents who were teachers I was taught at school and at home. I enjoyed the sessions with my parents.
I had always resolved that I would home-school. Being a lecturer and tutor further entrenched my decision to home-school my kids. I believe learning should be learner-centred and paced. So often students feel that they don’t know things or subjects are difficult when most of the time it’s the pace being used, or the content is taught using foreign concepts that the learner cannot relate to. At times they are slowed down because they are in a certain grade even though they may be ahead intellectually. During Covid- lockdown, I saw my nephew improve because I taught him at his own pace. He did not even want to go back to mainstream when the lockdown was lifted.
I am a wife and mother of 4 boys (2 from husband prior marriage and 2 in marriage). My husband and I are currently home-schooling our son who is 3 years old and his younger brother who is 2 months old will soon join in. I enjoy the freedom and flexibility home-schooling affords me and my family. Currently, I reside between Mthatha and East London. I love that my son does not have to miss out on his learning irrespective of where I am.
I joined ECHSA because I wanted to associate with like-minded people. To learn from people who have travelled this journey while bringing in, hopefully, some knowledge from my fields, so that I can improve the learning experience of other parents and kids.
Erika Adendorff: Chapter Leader: Kouga
I was born in Germiston, Gauteng. As a single mom of three, I studied part-time for approx 8 years to improve our lives and lifestyle. Lived and worked in Gauteng for 15 years. Worked in manufacturing, engineering, and catering environment for many years. I have approx 20 years of experience in being either an executive secretary or personal assistant from small one-man businesses to corporate.
Remarried the most incredible man sent by God 15 years ago. We decided to become part of the CMA (Christian Motorcycles Association) ministering and counseling to bikers at rallies and day jols. I am very passionate about the Woman’s Ministry. Accumulative, I have 8 children (2 x husband; 3 x my own and 3 adopted). I have a big heart for my children. I have accumulative 10 grandchildren. My husband traveled a lot with the work and our youngest twin daughters struggled with not having their Daddy home often enough. One of the twins was diagnosed with severe ADHD, Dyslexia, SPS and learning disabilities, and Alicia just the opposite – gifted girl and all-rounder. Hence the reason we put the girls in a private school with small classes. After struggling with her to cope with school, to be convinced that she needs to be medicated, we consulted with Martie du Plessis and decided to start the homeschool journey. This really fitted our family needs because we could accompany my husband on his travels without disturbing our family culture and challenges. Believe me, if I tell you that I really had great challenges with a special needs child. We helped with conventional devices and apparatus to help and assist her. And it worked! It took me 3 years to complete Gr 1 principles until the foundations were laid down properly. During 2 of the 3 years, we concentrated on cooking, sewing, gardening, woodwork, and art. We literally had fun and pursued education through that. During the first 5 years of homeschooling a put together our own curriculum from Apologia, Math Mammoth, Australian resources – whichever suite my daughters’ needs. And it really went well. We traveled Seychelles, Australia, Namibia, Western Cape, and the Garden route in a camping trailer for one year and during that period we did Footprints on our Land. My girls can braai a Kudu, Oryx or Springbok steak like most experience braaiers cannot braai. Alexis is sort of between 2 career choices which are veterinarian nurse/assistant or equine occupational therapist and Alicia a definite organic farmer. After much praying and deliberations, discussions with Erica Hugo, we decided to start IGCSE this year and the girls made their own subject choices. As part of my girls’ education and development, they are volunteering as a Horse Riding School and an Organic Farm in the afternoons, twice a week. They cannot just study – they must put into practice what they study and make sure this is what they want to do for the rest of their lives.
I feel very fortunate to be part of ECHSA. I want to be an influencer for home education and the freedom to homeschool. I want to impact the nation and bring kingdoms together. I also love being part of ECHSA to be able to have a voice that votes and speaks for ALL homeschoolers in South Africa which a hope my grandchildren will be part of.
We make up our own day as we go along and whatever works for us. We LOVE and appreciate the freedom to homeschool.