Touching the Hearts of School and Community in Mitchells Plain

Hundreds of learners at Tafelsig High School in Mitchells Plain are expected to benefit from a generous investment of sports equipment and attire by Sport and Recreation South Africa (SRSA). The handover ceremony at the school on Tuesday, 21 May 2013 was supported by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) and the Western Cape Education Department (WCED).

The handover formed part of the SRSA School Sport League project to support schools across South Africa. A similar ceremony took place a few hours earlier at iQhayiya Secondary School in Khayelitsha.

The Tafelsig High School drill team welcomed dignitaries with an exhibition display. DCAS Chief Director for Sport and Recreation Adv Lyndon Bouah said that sport development forms a key part of DCAS’s efforts. Sport is played after school at about 181 Mass Participation, Opportunity and Access, Development and Growth (MOD) Centres in the Western Cape. “It’s clear to see that learners at this school love sport, and we believe they will benefit from SRSA’s investment,” he said. Bouah encouraged learners to aim high, using the example of chess grandmaster-elect Kenny Solomon who hails from Mitchells Plain.

WCED provincial school enrichment coordinator Mr Dennis Pillay welcomed SRSA’s generosity to underprivileged schools in the province. This would make a real contribution towards realising the objectives of the National Sport and Recreation Plan, he said.

Grade 11 learner, Dezhané-Ann Williams said sport plays an integral part in learners’ lives. “As a school in an impoverished community in Mitchells Plain, we have seen the contribution of education and sport to uplift our community. We believe that education and sport can be a bridge that helps us to overcome future obstacles.” Williams added that the donation will assist learners to strive for excellence in both the education and sports arenas.

SRSA Minister Mr Fikile Mbalula encouraged learners to stay away from drugs and gangsterism, and to use the equipment to enjoy sport. “Enjoy your sport code, work hard and start applying that from today,” he said. Mbalula encouraged learners to do their best on the sports field so that they can represent the Western Cape at the National School Sport Championship in Pretoria later this year.

Principal Ms Ruschda O’Shea added learners are proud of their new sports attire as they look to turn their dreams into a reality on the sports field this year. The joint investment of time and equipment by SRSA, DCAS and WCED will uplift and inspire a school in one of the largest communities in Cape Town, better together.