Students at the Athlone School for the Blind in Bellville South have found confidence and creative expression through the timeless art of origami.
With swift and deliberate folds, these pupils transform ordinary pieces of paper into intricate two- and three-dimensional masterpieces, using only their hands and a single sheet of paper.
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As per the Cape Argus, guiding them gently through this process is their dedicated teacher, Asemahle Mbijana. Together, they craft an array of objects, from graceful cranes and delicate butterflies to ninja stars, pencils and cups.
The school accommodates a diverse range of learners, spanning from completely blind to partially sighted children, ranging from Grade R to Grade 12. In addition to this, the school houses a department for severely intellectually disabled (SID) students and aspires to establish a school that teaches skills tailored for those with visual impairments.
Students in Grades 4 to 7 have expressed that engaging in origami brings them feelings of happiness, relaxation and tranquillity. Gail Williams, the deputy principal, takes pride in recounting how the pupils were given the unique opportunity to share their origami expertise on World Origami Day at Fish Hoek Library the previous year.
The instructors behind this remarkable initiative, Mbijana and Siyasanga Pike, were first introduced to the world of origami by a guest teacher, Kyoko Kimura Morgan when they were 9 years old in their primary school days.
Kyoko Kimura Morgan is from Japan and initially began teaching origami to her own children two decades prior, when they were just 6 or 7 years old. Over time, her skill and passion led her to teach friends and even classes at school.
In 2006, she took on the unique challenge of instructing a group of young individuals awaiting trial at Pollsmoor Prison, an initiative suggested by a criminologist friend.
Following this, in 2008, she shared her expertise with children who had been displaced due to xenophobic violence at Soetwater Camp. It was these experiences that spurred Morgan to establish ‘Origami for Africa,’ an organisation with a mission to bring the benefits of origami to diverse communities.
Morgan’s former students, Mbijana and Pike, have carried her legacy forward by spreading the art of origami across various communities in Cape Town, catering to both adults and children.
22-year-old Pike from Delft is currently on the cusp of completing her studies at the University of the Western Cape. Reflecting on their journey, she acknowledges that origami has been an enlightening teacher itself, offering not only creative expression but also a gateway to opportunities.
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Pike told the Cape Argus that many people are unfamiliar with origami, and sharing it with them piques their curiosity and interest.
‘Origami has taught us so many things. It has opened so many opportunities for us because most people are not exposed to origami; they don’t know what origami is about. So the moment you tell someone about origami, they are very interested.’
21-year-old Mbijana, originally from Khayelitsha, initiated origami classes at the Athlone School for the Blind in 2021, impacting groups of 15 students at a time. For Mbijana, origami is more than just an enjoyable pastime; it serves as a vessel for self-confidence, positivity and improved communication. She finds it to be a therapeutic endeavour that echoes the gradual transformation of a piece of paper into something beautiful, much like how lives can evolve step by step.
‘Origami is not just for fun; it also helps you gain self-confidence. It helps you to be positive and helps you to be able to speak. It’s therapeutic.’
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Picture: Kevin Lanceplaine / Unsplash