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Dr George Foster (Music), Oyama Soga (Enggaement Office), Dr Bower Rudi (Music) and Nomakhosazana Netnou (Umpanda Foundation for Autism)
Mandela University’s Hubs of Convergence (HoC) and the Music Department will be assisting the Umpanda Foundation for Autism with a music learning programme for its learners.
The school received a donation of musical instruments from Deputy President Paul Mashatile and the Hlumile Foundation.
The Hubs of Convergence (HoC) and the Music Department recently visited the Foundation in North End in Gqeberha.
It was founded by Nomakhosazana Netnou as an intervention that accommodates learners with autism.
Autistic learners struggle to cope with the standard academic curriculum and the Umpanda Foundation’s intervention allows them to have a tailored educational learning experience that caters for autistic learners by focusing on skills development and providing support for both learners and parents.
Mandela University engaged with the learners’ parents and the Foundation’s staff to co-construct the music learning programme
The intended music programme’s objective is to give the learners an opportunity to develop and advance their musical abilities. The programme will be spearheaded and facilitated by University’s Music Department and the Hubs of Convergence.
The parents were extremely impressed and expressed their gratitude for the University’s dedication to serving Gqeberha communities, especially for this initiative that will grant learners an opportunity to thrive in a different learning environment.