SAS SIMONSBERG Mandela Day Outreach Initiative Article and photos by WO2 Webber Enquiries: 021 787 4697

A collaborated initiative between SAS SIMONSBERG and the V&A Waterfront Company culminated in an astounding success. The Nombantu Primary School had been identified as the beneficiary in this project of goodwill.

The V&A Waterfront Company called on all their resources and agreed to supply all the material necessary to revamp the school that had been extremely vandalized. SAS SIMONSBERG agreed to provide the manpower to do all the labour to transform the school. This agreement saw the realization of a dream for teachers and learners alike.

 

Under the direction, planning and coordination of WO 2 Webber (SBG) and Hanja Oosthuizen (V&A) the plan got off to a brisk start. Everyday for the past week different team of volunteers from various training centres/schools set off to Guguletu to do some real hard voluntary labour. Under the guidance of WO2 Hughs and CPO Jason the men and woman in uniform got stuck in serious construction renovation work. This included stripping peeling paint from walls and painting them, removing and replacing sagging ceiling boards, replacing broken windows, grinding and welding burglar bars to windows and also sawing down a massive tree that threatened to lift the foundation of an entire school block. The floors were resurfaced to close holes and new flooring was laid.

All this work prevented water from seeping from the roof, water leaking through walls and cold air from rushing through broken windows and ceilings. It is just simply incomprehensive to think that teaching could take place under such treacherous conditions.

On 18^th July 2012 with the dawn of Madiba Mandela’s birthday the school children received revamped classrooms for which learners and parents showed sincere appreciation. Early morning the learners and staff convened in the assembly court accompanied by representatives from the SA Navy and the Directors of the V&A Waterfront and a representative of the Department of Education.

The day started with a prayer by the Navy Padre followed by everyone singing happy birthday for Madiba. The school choir and band struck up a chord and everyone joined in singing for Madiba. The School principal opened proceedings and thanked the SA Navy and the Waterfront for such a great gift and choosing Nombantu School as a beneficiary of the Mandela 67 minutes initiative.

Mr Green from the Waterfront gave praise for the inspiration of such a great man as Madiba and expressed his appreciation for being afforded the opportunity to be part of such an outreach initiative. Afterwards WO2 Webber, representing the Navy, said in his address that it is a positive message to all other businesses to see what big business and government departments can achieve together in alleviating poverty and suffering contributing to uplifting those in need in line with the “Madiba Goodwill Drive”.

After all the ceremony the children was treated to party packs and hot dogs. The children received these gifts with smiling bright and appreciative faces glowing in appreciation for the new classrooms and food. SAS SIMONSBERG is committed to promoting the image of the SA Navy and the DoD amongst the community which they serve and will continue adding value to the Ubuntu initiative. This makes it the “People’s Navy”.