R1 Million School Roofing Donation Protects Learners And Community Members From The Harsh Cape Weather
For Immediate Release:
24 MARCH 2022
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After years of braving the elements , learners at Agter Paarl’s severely under-resourced Windmeul
Primary School have a roof over their heads for assemblies and other education-related activities,
thanks to a R1 million donation.
The major courtyard roofing project was made possible by the South African Muslim Charitable Trust
(SAMCT).
Speaking at a function to mark the official hand-over of the structure, SAMCT representative, Mr
Faried Boltman, said: “Established in 1935 as a small farm, Windmeul Primary School has today –
some 85 years later – grown to become a full state school serving some 475 learners from diverse
cultures. Unfortunately, however, demand for enrolment has, over the years, far outstripped the
school’s aging infrastructure.”
He indicated that classes had grown significantly, as had the teaching staff, all of whom were
committed to providing a sound education to the youngsters in their charge.
“It has earned a reputation for its academic prowess – testament to the professionalism of the
members of staff and their dedication to education and ensuring the preparedness of learners for
the rigours of high school. In addition, learners here enjoy access to a range of sports and extra-
curricular cultural activities. However, and in spite of the best efforts of its devoted and enthusiastic
members of staff, this is a seriously disadvantaged school; a school which has outgrown its
infrastructure and yet which stands proudly at the very centre of the wider community,” Mr Boltman
said.
He added: “Windmeul Primary School is the veritable centre of activity within the community it
serves, being a haven for community-based sport, three different Church groups and a preferred
gathering place for weddings, funerals, birthdays, youth get-togethers, computer lessons and a
meeting point for the resolution of SASSA grant fund issues. This, then, is clearly so much more than
just a school.”
“Sadly, given its extensive and hugely diverse usage, Windmeul Primary School boasts only an
uncovered courtyard in which to conduct school assemblies and its many other community-based
activities.”
He stressed that being open to the elements, all those utilising the school’s courtyard had for many
years faced exposure to rain, cold and heat, knowing that funding construction was ‘well beyond
their means, but grateful that there existed for them an accessible facility in which to conduct both
school and community gatherings.’
“Unacceptable as it is, the South African reality is that there are many appreciably disadvantaged
schools; schools which are doing great work in preparing children to become positive contributors to
society in the future in the face of inadequate infrastructure,” Mr Boltman said.
Windmeul Primary School is just such an educational institution.
He added: “It is a credit to the Principal and staff here that in spite of the challenges they face each
and every day, they have not thrown in the towel and have, instead, redoubled their own efforts to
ensure that their learners are not left wanting in the classroom or on the sports field. They are to be
greatly applauded, too, for having opened their doors so willingly to share the little they have with
local people lacking any form of community centre.”
Windmeul Primary School actively set out to make a difference.
Mr Boltman described the school as having within its ranks individuals who not only cared about
delivering the best possible education to its learners, but who were also motivated to act in the best
interests of the neighbouring community.
“We, of the SAMCT are well aware that capital expenditure on big ticket items, such as
infrastructural development, is simply a step too far for disadvantaged schools, such as Windmeul
Primary School. Accordingly and having learned of the need for a safe meeting area, protected from
the elements, we were very pleased to be in a position to intercede, providing a R1 million donation
for the erection of a roof over the large courtyard here, thus enabling the better utilisation of the
space for both educational and community purposes,” he said of the mega-donation.
The SAMCT, which was created in 2008, was established to provide funding, services and other
resources for the improvement of the lives of the vulnerable, deprived and disadvantaged. It has
successfully delivered sizeable assistance solutions throughout the country, irrespective of race or
religion and works to support needy organisations in the fields of poverty alleviation, health,
education and social development.
“On behalf of the SAMCT, I take this opportunity to wish you of Windmeul Primary School, and the
wider community surrounding the school, every success in your educational and social interactions,
free from all that the harsh Cape weather forces us to live with.”
ends
For more information about SAMCT or its Windmeul Primary School courtyard roof donation, please contact:
Rasheeda Motala
Social Responsibility Officer
Tel: 084 506 2280
Email: samct@samct.co.za