When Lion Godfrey Groepes alerted his fellow Kirstenbosch members to conditions at the Christian David Moravian Primary School in Steenberg President Sue Charles decided to make this her signature project for the year.

The majority of the pupils come from the informal settlement of Vrygrond, many from broken homes, and although the dedicated headmaster and staff of the school do their best, there is only so much they can do with the limited resources at their disposal.

So, what better way to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s birthday and the 67 minutes of service on Mandela Day, than to give the approx 380 learners a treat of hot dogs, Coke and fruit?

Club members expropriated the staff room as a make shift kitchen and it didn’t take long to have a conveyer belt system operational. Learners, starting with the youngest, accompanied by their class teacher, formed orderly lines to receive a hot dog and Coke, followed by an apple.

As the headmaster so rightly stated, it is not only the fact that we gave these deprived youngsters a treat but even more important, that we cared. The Kooverjee brothers donated 100 pairs of shoes on the day as part of their commitment to the 67 Minutes of Service…

Thanks to Dole South Africa, Coimba, Pick n Pay Steenberg and CocaCola for financial assistance.

The Club will be totally renovating the two toilet blocks and plan to involve the school in the global ‘Reading Action Programme’