News

DISTANCE LEARNING: IS IT AN OPTION FOR YOU?

Published

9 years ago

30 May 2017

Shelley

South Africa’s tough economic conditions, combined with limited space at public universities, is seeing thousands of students opt for distance learning annually. Students who need to earn while they learn, and people already in employment who need to upskill to boost their career prospects, consider distance learning an effective way to further their education.

But distance learning comes with very unique challenges, and anyone considering it should make sure that they tackle this life-changing project with a strategy that will ensure their ultimate success, an education expert says.

“Distance learning is a great way to further your career or get the qualifications you need to enter the job market, but it requires the same, if not more, discipline as full-time study,” says Elbie Liebenberg, Principal at Oxbridge Academy, which serves more than 20 000 South African distance learning students every year.

She says before embarking on the distance learning route, prospective students should get in the right headspace, and make sure that they have the structures in place that will enable them to balance the demands of their studies with their personal and work lives.

“You have to ask yourself some tough questions, and be honest with yourself. If you find that you come up short in one or all of these areas, you need to address them first, which will leave you better equipped and empowered to achieve your goals,” she says.

Liebenberg says prospective students should consider the following:

ARE YOU ORGANISED?

Making a success of distance learning centres a huge amount on being able to keep balls in the air and admin sorted. You need to plan your days, your assignments and tests. If you are not the list-making, diary-scheduling type, it is a good idea to start implementing basic planning principles into your daily and work life. Once you feel in control in these areas, you can transfer your newly acquired skill to the planning required for distance learning.

ARE YOU DISCIPLINED?

Having plans and programmes in place are great, but it is no good to be a good planner if you can’t stick to the plan, says Liebenberg.
If you are studying on your own, and are not part of a contact lecture environment, it is up to you to keep up with things. Make sure you schedule at least 2-3 hours daily to do you reading and studying, work on assignments, and prepare for tests. If you consistently wait until a few days before the test or assignment deadline to get going, things are soon going to pile up and spiral out of control. A daily, consistent effort is required in distance learning.

ARE YOU ABLE TO FOCUS ON YOUR GOALS AND THE BIG PICTURE?

Quality distance learning institutions have the support structures and interactive online environments that didn’t exist in years past, and which make a significant difference to the success of students. However, at the end of the day, distance learning students need to be able to focus on why they started in the first place, and be able to visualise and work towards their goals. It is easy to get lost in and overwhelmed by the twin demands of keeping distance learning admin under control while also excelling in your studies – particularly if you don’t see your fellow students grappling with the same issues. It is therefore important to make use of the support and collaboration opportunities that good distance learning institutions will have in place, while constantly reminding yourself of the better future you are building.

ARE YOU AMBITIOUS AND MOTIVATED?

Do not sign up for a distance learning qualification if you are simply making a half-hearted attempt to add a qualification to your CV. A quality distance learning qualification is just as respected by employers as one from a full-time contact institution, but that means that the demands on students must equally be so if the fruits of the labour are to be enjoyed.
If you are serious about your life and your career, then distance learning is a fantastic option which will bring significant rewards upon graduation, but it is not to be considered a second-rate option for those who are not committed to making a success of their studies.

“When things get tough for distance students, they often opt to just throw in the towel and disappear,” says Liebenberg.

“But these students and prospective students should know that just like at contact institutions, good distance learning providers will have ample resources to assist them in making a success of their studies if they can commit to seeing things through.”

She says students should not underestimate the intellectual demands of distance learning, and should make sure that they effectively structure their studies.

“Throw yourself into your studies and take every advantage of the opportunities provided by your institution, to ensure you banish any feelings of isolation and engage fully with your chosen field, your tutors and your future peers,” she says.

Author: Shelley

Related Topics:distance durban learning students

Up Next

Mythos Greek Restaurant – NOW OPEN

Don't Miss

NEW OPENING: Nu Metro at Ballito Junction

Click to comment

Attractions

Familie Fest 2026

Published

2 weeks ago

5 February 2026

mrjoelmagic

Familie Fest 2026 Brings Live Music and Family Fun to Hillcrest

Everything You Need to Know About Familie Fest 2026

Familie Fest arrives in Hillcrest for a full weekend of live music, family-friendly entertainment and relaxed festival energy, taking place on Friday 29 and Saturday 30 May 2026 at NU Driving Range.

Designed as an all-ages outdoor music festival, Familie Fest brings together South African artists, open space, activities for kids and adults, and a format that allows families and friend groups to spend the entire day together without feeling rushed.

Event Details

Date: Friday 29 & Saturday 30 May 2026
Venue: NU Driving Range Fields, Hillcrest
Time: From 10am daily
Age Restriction: All ages
Bar Area: Over 18s only

Tickets available via:
• Familie Fest Website
• Webtickets
• Utickets

Ticket Pricing

• Kids under 4: Free
• Kids 4–12: From R129
• Teens 13–17: From R145
• Adults: From R199 to R245

Group Ticket Specials

• Buy 5 tickets, get 1 free: R1,250
• Buy 9 tickets, get 1 free: R2,100

Group tickets are limited and valid for adults or kids.

Camping add-ons are available separately and include access to a secure camp zone with toilets, showers, lighting and security.

Line-up (More to Be Announced)

The initial line-up includes a mix of established and popular South African acts:

• Francois van Coke
• Kurt Darren
• Van Pletzen
• Veranda Panda
• Appel

Friday features acoustic-focused sessions, while Saturday hosts the main acts. Additional artists will be announced closer to the event.

What to Expect

Familie Fest is structured as a full-day festival rather than an evening-only concert, with gates opening at 10am and activities running throughout the day and into the evening.

Across the festival grounds, attendees can expect:
• Live music performances
• A dedicated kids zone
• Arts and crafts activities
• Food and drink vendors
• Potjie competitions
• Access to the driving range
• Putt putt, go-karts and paintball
• Optional secure camping facilities

The layout allows families to spread out, relax and move between music, activities and rest areas at their own pace.

What You Can and Can’t Bring

Allowed:
Umbrellas, camp chairs, blankets, gazebos, bags, towels, baby gear.

Not Allowed:
Cooler boxes, outside food and drink, weapons, fireworks, sound systems, pets, sports or play equipment, bikes or braais.

Camp Zone Only:
Cooler boxes, food and drink, and braais are permitted within the designated camping area.

Why Familie Fest Works

Familie Fest positions itself as a genuinely inclusive festival, catering to families with young children, teens, and adults who want to enjoy live music without the pressure of a late-night-only format. With space to move, activities beyond the main stage, and a line-up that appeals across age groups, it offers a different kind of festival experience for the KZN calendar.

For families looking to introduce kids to live music, groups planning a social weekend, or anyone wanting an outdoor festival that runs at a comfortable pace, Familie Fest ticks all the right boxes.

Author: mrjoelmagic

Business

Barkies: Homemade Pet Treats

Published

2 months ago

9 December 2025

Shelley

Freshness You Can Trust, Impact You Can See! 🐾
Looking for treats that are genuinely good for your furry (or hoofed!) family members?

Welcome to Barkies—where every treat is baked with love, fresh ingredients, and a commitment to animal welfare.

We believe in complete transparency. Our treats are always homemmade with fresh, natural ingredients, and we are proud to tell you exactly what goes into every single bite.

✨ Year-End Combo Special: Spoil Your Pup! ✨
To celebrate the year, we’re making it easy to spoil your dog with the best of Barkies:

Item Details
12 Pupcakes Choose your dog’s favourite flavour!
500g Fresh Dog Treats Choose your flavour!
Combo Price R220

This is the perfect package for holiday gatherings, puppy parties, or just showing extra love!

🌍 Treats with a Heart
We’re not just about delicious treats; we’re about giving back. Barkies donates 20% of every single sale to incredible animal charities right here in Durban. When you buy from us, you’re directly helping local animals in need.

🥕 Simple, Delicious & Safe
Our treats are simple but delicious and contain no nasty preservatives. Please store all Barkies products in the fridge or freezer to keep them fresh.

We make treats for dogs, cats, and horses!

🎉 BARKIES YEAR-END COMBO IS ON! 🎉

Get 12 Pupcakes + 500g Dog Treats (Flavours of your choice) for R220!

✅ Homemade, Fresh & Natural
✅ Treats for Dogs, Cats & Horses
✅ 20% Donated to Durban Animal Charities!

ORDER NOW: WhatsApp Bianca on 076 190 0442 (Collection or Delivery available)

Author: Shelley

Business

Playtime Rentals: Rent. Play. Repeat.

Published

5 months ago

6 October 2025

Shelley

Tired of spending a fortune on toys your kids play with for five minutes, only for them to get bored? We get it! That’s exactly why Playtime Rentals was born, a smarter, more affordable way to keep playtime fun, fresh, and exciting for your little ones.

Based in Ballito and serving families from Ballito to Durban North, we provide premium, sanitized toys that you can rent instead of buy.

What We Offer:

Playtime Rentals provides a wide range of high-quality toys for boys and girls aged 3 to 7 years.

From:
– Pretend-play sets for little imaginations
– Balance bikes and ride-ons for active adventures
– Party rentals like bubble machines & toddler coasters

We’ve got fun covered, without the clutter or cost of constantly buying new toys.

How It Works:

✔ Browse our toy catalogue on WhatsApp or download it from our website
✔ Book your toys by completing the short booking form & submitting documents
✔ Pay & Play. Make full payment + refundable damages deposit
✔ Collect in Ballito or book delivery straight to your door
Then… play, return, repeat. It’s really that simple!

Why Parents love Playtime Rentals:
– Save money on toys kids outgrow
– Reduce clutter and reclaim your space
– Swap toys monthly with a fun toy rotation system
– Encourage sustainable play (less waste, more fun!)
– Keep playtime exciting with something new each month

With Playtime Rentals, your kids enjoy endless variety, and you enjoy less stress and more savings.

Check them out here:
www.playtimerentals.co.za