Muslim Matters October 2021

October 2021

Rabi al-Awwal 1443

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A vote for the DA is a vote for israel!

Resist to Exist

By: Political Reporter

Palestinian activist Muna Al-Kurd arrived in CapeTown in October and took part in several programmes including an open air press conference in Sea Point at the Glasses.

She was a guest of Friends of Mezaan and the visit was also supported by the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC),the Palestine Solidarity Campaign(PSC) and the Palestinian Student Front.

The activist and her twin brother, Mohammed Al- Kurd were recently named one of Time Magazine’s 100 most Influential People of 2021 for using their voices on social media and media appearance to share the stories of the plight of people in Sheikh Jarrah

and helping to prompt an international shift in rhetoric with regard to israel and Palestine.

At the press conference it was pointed out to her that South Africans will soon be going to the polls to vote in the forthcoming Municipal Elections and that the Democratic Alliance (DA) is one of the fervent supporters of israel.

When she was asked what her position was on people who vote for a party that supports israel she said, “We don’t only speak about political parties, we talk about any organisation or business or any group that supports israel, even any individual. We urge everyone not to support those that support israel.

Those that support israel are complicit with the injustice that is happening in Palestine.

The human atrocities

that are committed by the israeli government, the war crimes, the displacements of the Palestinians and house demolitions, they are partners in it. For that reason we urge all of you that you don’t ever support a group that you know is supporting israel”. She said that the people should put pressure on the South African Government to stop its relationship with israel, boycott israel and the brands that support it.

On the last leg of the visit she joined Eucharust at St. George’s Cathedral.

The Dean Michael Weeder requested El-Kurd to address the congregants for the Sunday Service.

Addressing the congregants, Muna said: “Palestine belongs to us and to you. Palestine belongs to Muslims, Jews Christians and all those

who love freedom and justice. It does not only belong to one group. We have lots of Christian friends who are fighting with for us in Gaza, and on the ground in Palestine and for that reason, whenever an Israeli settler wants to beat us up, he does not ask us which religion we belong to.

“These settlers attack us just because we are Palestinian and in their eyes , we are a threat to their injustice. When they beat me and my Christian friend, they’re only beating us because we belong and they don’t.”

She urged the attendees to continue to play a role in defence of Palestine and its people, through prayers but most importantly through action.

Footnote: israel is spelt with small letters because it is an illegitimate ‘state’.

Massive support for Heathfield principal!

called at the Athlone High School where several principals attended a meeting to By: Education Reporter give support to Neuman. It was followed up by another meeting which was held The school principal of Heathfield High at Heathfield High School. More than a School, Wesley Neuman , who came hundred teachers attended the meeting . to the defence of his learners and At the meeting Wesley Neuman said staff during the peak of the Covid-19 that he was not going to give mitigating pandemic has been found guilty by the factors because everything he has Western Cape Education Department said is in the minutes of the disciplinary (WCED) on six charges at the end of hearing. Teachers also spoke about how ANC provincial spokesman on education the disciplinary hearing. certain principals were being hounded Khalied Sayed by the WCED for speaking truth to After attorney, Vernon Seymour after the report was made public a power and principals at Model C Schools received the findings he said he would meeting was held at the school. Parents, that are found guilty of more serious read up the 360 page document, teachers, learners and community transgressions only get a slap on the wrist. make an analysis and discuss it with activists came out in numbers to support Continues on page 7 Neuman. Meanwhile immediately the principal. Last week a meeting was

ACTIVIST Muna El –Kurd : “We must not support those that support Israel”.

ABDURAHMAN KHAN Muslim Matters

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MUSLIM MATTERS

October 2021

Ward 46 candidates for 1 November 2021 Municipal Elections

Majid Mowzer ANC Shams Tabrez Sayed Majid Mowzer has been residing in Ward 46 for over 50 years.

He has been an activist since the age of 16.

Ward 46 has been under the controll of the Democratic Alliance (DA) for the past 15 years.

Mowzer is a well known figure in Ward 46 due to his community work over the years. He has decided to stand as a councilor because many residents have raised many concerns related to the lack of service delivery in the Ward since Aslam Cassiem has taken over Ward 46.

Majied says that the Ward Councillor is unresponsive and has failed to host regular meetings with residents.

“Cassiem has not presented a vision or plan for Ward 46, nor has he presented a scorecard

of what he has done over the five years since he was the councilor”, says Mowzer. “The councilor has not addressed the issue of the increase of vagrancy and neglect in the area including the erratic refuse collection and the drain covers that are not being replaced which is endangering the pedestrians and the poor lighting with pot holes throughout the Ward from Rylands to Mannenberg.

High water tariffs has impacted many unemployed people and the high rates paid by residents does not match the services they should receive. Trees are untrimmed and verges are not properly maintained,” laments Mowzer. Majied further complains that the informal settlements have been neglected and the issue of the back yard dwellers concerns has not been addressed, while also the informal traders received no support over the years and the fishmongers area remains undeveloped.

Another big concern

is that the sewerage issues have not been adequately addressed.

During the time when the ward was run by ANC Ward Councillors, Saleem Mowzer and Mustaphe Murudkar the area was well catered for.

In 1998/99 The Rylands Municipal Hall and the Rylands Library was built.

The Belthorn Hall was built in 2000 and the Turfhall stadium was upgraded in the same year. Houses were also built in Vygekraal.

The Gatesville mosque precinct was upgraded, trees were planted and parking provided and the Habibia Mosque parking was developed.

Mustapha Murudker, while being the Councillor had the Kromboom Park upgraded and 20sqm of land was allocated to the Johnson Road cemetery, while the Fish market plans were approved for development. Mowzer has a plan for Ward 46 and believes that he would carry on with the legacies that these two ANC Councillors.

Al Jama-ah Party

Shams Tabrez Sayed (41) is Al Jama-ah’s candidate councillor in Ward 46 in Belgravia Estate, surrounding areas including the controversial informal settlement known as Die Vlei.

Sayed is the son of a great freedom fighter, Hanif Sayed who served as the (PAC) Pan Africanist Congress Chief Representative in exile. Tabrez along with his mother, Mymoena and sister Tasneem went into exile with his father in 1985.

Tabrez joined Al Jamaah to continue the

Fowzia Veerasamy has been handpicked by Parliamentary leader of the National Freedom Party (NFP), Sheik Emam to stand as a candidate in ward 46.

The NFP did not contest in the last local government elections due to failing to pay its registration fee by the IEC’s deadline caused by internal party politics although the party was financially sound.

Sheik Emam says that Fowzia has been chosen to stand as a councillor in Ward 46, because of her commitment and dedication to her community. According to Emam, the present councillor, Aslam

46 she says. Many a times when people phone Aslam he avoids taking their calls, but as soon as I dial his cell number, he picks up the call. During his term, we are witnessing how the area has deteriorated.

“Our roads and green spaces have been neglected, our parks, pavements and verges are overgrown and our streets are not well lit”, she says. She says that she aims to address the issues through listening, after having learnt that solutions to the many societal problems were often presented by people who lived and worked in the areas themselves.

“Aslam has failed our community and he has overstayed his stay and he should be voted out”, says the vibrant Veerasamy.

He joined Al Jama-ah party and its leader, Hon. Ganief Hendricks encouraged him to follow in his father’s footsteps to help uplift communities.

Last year, he played an instrumental role with Al Jama-ah for the release of the body of Hafiz Yusuf Kiboroto, the hero who drowned while trying to save a little girl from drowning in the Vygieskraal canal.

He says there are different challenges in the various areas under Ward 46. “People are not given a chance by

the city to participate in the planning of their areas. Problems like crime, drug dens, lack of speed bumps, sewerage stench, unemployment and increasing informal settlements are not being addressed with solutions.

Tabrez says people in informal settlements have the right to basic services such as water and sanitation. The homeless must be encouraged to ensure they are on the housing waiting list,” he says.

Other problems are the lack of visible police patrols and skills development training for youths.

“One of Al Jama-ah’s slogans, “We are here to serve and not be served” is what if I have been doing and would continue to do should I be elected as ward councillor,” he says.

Arifa Begum Parker Good Party

Fowzia Veerasamy NFP Cassiem, cannot match her when it comes to serving the residents of Ward 46.

Veerasamy says that she decided to contest the elections and made herself available to serve the people in Ward 46.

Fowzia hopes to do something about the decay that the area has descended over the past five years, since Aslam Cassiem has been the councillor. Cassiem is not accessible to the community, and is also very selective when it comes to assist certain people of the area.

There are potholes in every street, frequent flooding with blocked drains and the sewage flowing in the streets and in some homes. These problems prompted her to stand. “If an area is left to decay it breeds a myriad of social ills. This is what is happening in Ward

struggle for better service delivery. “I have been through many personal challenges; my mother’s death was hard to deal with and I ended up on the streets and a friend’s mother rescued me. I worked in my uncle’s security company and then joined the neighbourhood watch,” he explains.

Among the campaigners in Ward 46, is Arifa Begum Parker of Rylands Estate.

The race is on for a seat at the City of Cape Town’s council table.

Local government elections will take place on Monday 1 November and lamp posts across the Cape Metro are covered by posters promising improved service delivery with smiling faces of candidates, and emotive slogans from candidates vying for the vote.

Among the campaigners in Ward 46, is Arifa Begum Parker of Rylands Estate. She is the daughter of an astute

businessman. She was born in Zanzibar, grew up in the Seychelles, Mauritius, and Mumbai India, and completed her formal education at the University of Bombay and Mumbai.

She has degrees in BA in Economics and Politics as well as an LLB. Arifa is standing as a candidate for the Good Party. Arifa says that the Good Party offers a viable and credible alternative to the old parties who have been in government for decades but have failed the communities.

She was the first ever black woman to be appointed as the Marketing Manager of the Cape Town Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber is 197 years old!

She has never seen the present Ward Councillor,

Aslam Cassiem. She has only seen his picture on the election posters.

The people are asking for service delivery. The present councillor has not delivered to the residents in the area. Arifa says that she decided to stand for elections because the area has gone down in the gutters and she feels that she could take this area to its former glory.

She says that there are three major issues, one of them being dumping.

She also wants to make sure that the 14 parks are maintained.

At the moment the parks are a health hazard. She also has a big concern regarding security and feels that the area lacks neighbourhood watches.

She says that the neighbourhood watches complain that they do not get enough support from the City of Cape Town.

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MUSLIM MATTERS

October 2021

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THE SUMMERS TO REMEMBER Sharief Parker

is the founder of JiVE Cooldrinks and a fellow Capetonian. 30 summers on from its very first sip, the success story of JiVE is as much the Western Cape , s, as it is Sharief , s.

2021 is the year JiVE celebrates its 30th anniversary with all its consumers, partners, suppliers and the trade, marking the significant milestone with an unforgettable promotion. To sweeten the moment even further, and to thank everyone for inviting JiVE to everyday gatherings over the years - from beach days to Eid - JiVE is also giving people a chance to win their share of R500 000 in cash and prizes.

“A promotion is like a salute to our fans and supporters - sharing our success and giving back what so many have already given us.” - SP Since day one, starting in a small factory store in Cape Town, Sharief and his Executive Assistant, Nikki Stockenstroom, who has been by his side ever since, had big plans for this local drink. Sharief instilled trust, respect and care for people from the get-go, which would become a true reflection of JiVE’s approach to every relationship down the line.

Long before the days of social media and influencer marketing, Sharief, along with Nikki and a hand-picked group of passionate employees, grew and innovated a brand that would soon put his dream on the table of every get-together in the Western Cape.

“If I knew then what I know now, I wouldn’t change a single thing.

Everything that has happened since JiVE’s inception has been part of the journey. Every experience has been a chapter in the story of JiVE for 30 years.”

- SP JiVE was here to stay from the very first twist-off. Its very first flavour was Cream Soda and it flew off the shelves.

Not before every employee was gifted a bottle for their family. This is a tradition that still runs strong today with every new flavour launch. And it is family and community that makes JiVE more than just a drink and why it’s an adored brand Capetonians call their own.

Today JiVE already boasts an eclectic mix of 19 flavours, sharing the brand’s success with its most loyal supporters and consumers by rewarding them with annual promotions and new flavours.

“JiVE is a community drink. It’s from here, it’s enjoyed here and it’ll forever be made of Cape Town.” - SP 30 years in, the success of JiVE boils down to one thing. The people. JiVE is rooted in the communities of the Western Cape, thanks to the relationships built up through the years with trusted partners, suppliers, retail customers, the incredible staff and of course, the most loved consumers. These are the ones who have helped JiVE show up, stand tall and be represented in homes across the province.

“If the past 30 years is anything to go by, I am beyond excited to see what happens next for JiVE. With this level of support and loyalty, I am confident we’ll keep celebrating even greater summers in the future!” - SP Celebrate 30 Summers of JiVE by adding your name to the draw. Grab a JiVE from your nearest shop, enter the promotion via USSD or follow the instructions on any promotional pack marked with a yellow cap. Keep an eye out for winners and more details by following JiVE on either Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.

celebrate

30 summers of

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MUSLIM MATTERS

October 2021

Judge Desai acknowledged for support!

Retired Western High Court judge Siraj Desai was acknowledged for his fervent support of Palestine and “fight for human rights” when Salt River Heritage Society unveiled his mural during a Community Arts Festival in September.

The festival was held during Heritage Month to honour the memory of voices in the community. The mural was created by Natheer Hoosain, of Salt River Struggle activists Judge Desai, Anwah Nagia, Dullah Omar and Benny Kies.

Murals were created in different parts of the neighbourhood. The organization honoured community members who have accomplished momentous achievements and historic struggles. One of them is Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis.

Palestinian Ambassador Hanan Jarrar who attended the event handed Judge Desai a letter on behalf of the Chief Justice of Palestine Abu Sharar, who acknowledged and thanked the judge for the support of Palestine.

The letter read: “The Palestinian high Judicial Council takes this opportunity to express it’s appreciation for, and acknowledge the contribution that you have made in the two –and-a- half decadesas a presiding officer of the court of law in South Africa-towards ubholding justice and equality for those still partially in the chains of deprivation, powerlessness and poverty.

“We join the South African and international community in honouring your distinguished lifelong record in the dispensing of justice nationally and in the defence of human rights globally.”

The letter further stated that Palestine saluted Desai for his principled stance on human rights abuse and his continued support for the people of Palestine.

The letter concluded that Judge Desai remained an important voice against apartheid and the occupation of Palestine by Israel.

Desai told the crowd that people have commended him on many occasions. “This is what I value. Thank you, Hanan, for bringing it to me.”

Palestinian Ambassador Hanan Jarrar hands over a letter to Judge Desai on behalf of the Chief Justice of Palestine Abu Sharar

SUPPORT HEATHFIELD HIGH SCHOOL COMMUNITY UNITED WE STAND An appeal to fight injustice This is a call to all the little people to help us, the Heathfield High school community, to prevent the dismissal of our principal, Mr. Wesley Neumann.

For years teachers and principals who have spoken out against officials in WCED have been victimised or dismissed, and we are determined to ensure that our principal does not suffer the same fate.

We have serious doubts that our principal is receiving a fair trial. Much of our ‘fight back’ campaign involves litigation. In the past, most actions and defensive actions failed because of insufficient funding. WCED is able to dip into state coffers and are generous to themselves when they do so. It is in this regard that we ask for your support. We intend to raise R100,00000 in the next 7 days. This case is far more important than ONE SCHOOL or INDIVIDUAL. It represents the struggle of democratic participation and decision making of parents and school communities in working-class schools.

We are calling on people who recognise this case as unjust to unite and fight to restore the integrity of our Education Department.

Our legal funding strategy will be in aid of legal fees.

CONTACT: MR. LIEBENBERG COMMITTEE SPOKEPERSON 083 415 0018 MR. DE KOCK COMMITTEE COORDINATOR 082 307 7912 MS. JACOBS COMMITTEE TREASURER 0799830332

CAPE TOWN 6 Manus Gerber street N1 City,Goodwood T: (021) 691 0633 E: cape@parkavenue.co.za

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MUSLIM MATTERS

Athlone High Valedictory

Athlone High School Top Achievers: Educator Rafeeq Kajie with Abubaker Adams (7th), Krishna Hatting (4th), Tara Jade Brown (5th), Principal Vincent Hendricks, Sherezaan Diedericks (1st), and Azraa Doming(3rd) and Rehniesha Minaar

These learners of Athlone HS receved certificates for their outstanding contribution to archery. With them is educator Shakoor Hayet. In a Hadith narrated by Ibn Umar, there are three kinds of exercise were ordered by the Prophet in which he said: “Teach your children swimming, archery and horse riding.” In Sahih Muslim, the Prophet said, “Practice archery and horseback riding.”

October 2021

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Unite South Africa Party members were at the Cape Town International Airport to welcome Muna Al-Kurd.

Aadila Mohamed from the Palestinian Solidarity Front facilitated the press conference for Muna in Sea Point.

Tasleema Grifat and Rabia wife of Mandla Mandela listen attentively to Muna EL- Kurd at the Dinner which was held in the Ashley Kriel Hall.

Livingstone Learners: Taria Lilitha and Sihle Poswa, Muna Al-Kurd, Grace, Jayden Smith, Educator Lucell Luther and Iman Allie, attended the dinner to listen to Muna Al-Kurd.

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October 2021

Yusuf Mohamed Ward 48 Candidate

Yusuf Mohamed

Yusuf Mohamed is a part time economics lecturer.

He is a civil engineer by profession and worked for the top five international companies in South Africa. He believes that Engineering combined with his Business Continue

Management will help him improve service delivery.

He is also a human rights activist and worked with various NPO’s locally and abroad as his way of giving back to communities.

When asked about serving people he replied: “serving humanity is what drives me and allows me to be energised”.

His father is advocate Sharief Mohamed, and says that he was exposed to law and politics from a young age but his passion has always been engineering and and community work. He believes in “more action and less talk”.

When asked what he would do differently from the other parties, that he would act by looking after the needs of the people’s interest above his own interests. He will focus on service delivery.”The reason why this country is going backwards is because we elect candidates that don’t have technical ability or the mindset to bring about positive change” iterates

Yusuf.

Yusuf believes that everyone is a leader and that every person can make a difference in society and their communities.

He believes that the people are bigger than him or the party. People want to be heard and we hope to listen and to ensure action when it is required. However he will be more proactive than reactive and once elected, a full survey will be done and he will work on a regeneration plan to improve those areas that need the attention.

When asked what upset him the most he said, “corruption and the lack of safety for our people”.

He believes that the mindset has to change in politics and that is to make a positive difference in people’s lives.

Tusuf runs as the Interim chairman and Mayoral Candidate for the NFP including Candidate Councillor for ward 48 and 60.

Shabirah Abdullah Ward 48 Candidate

Shabirah Abdullah Very early on in high school she found a passion for programming and learnt the basics of coding from her older brother’s university textbook on Java. She obtained a UCT Science Entrance Scholarship and subsequently completed her Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Computer Games at the University of Cape Town (UCT). She went on to work in the world of software development. She moved through the ranks from a Junior Software Engineer to a Tech Lead. She says,” I love technology and the powerful things we can accomplish with it within our communities”.

“I have become a big advocate for women empowerment and womenowned business. We need to break down the barriers in society and in the minds of people that prevent women from succeeding”, she iterates.

She believes that she is fortunate to have been nominated by the GOOD

Party as a Candidate. She intends to implement many long-overdue positive changes in Ward 48 through area development, area maintenance, safety and security, business, heritage and social development.

She was inspired to run for Ward Councillor because of the many social, spatial, economic and environmental injustices faced by my community as a result of the current local government.

“After vehemently objecting to the exorbitant rates, water, refuse and electricity tariffs introduced this year, we were invited to meet with Mayor Dan Plato to discuss our objection. Whilst interacting with the City, I then made an effort to learn the laws and by-laws which governs our City”says the vibrant Shabira. “ I envision our community, as safe as it was when our ward was just wheat fields and dairy farms, with cows roaming around and when it was safe for our kids to play outside and walk freely under the Port Jackson trees” she says.

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Muna El-Kurd speaks at dinner By: Brian Isaacs

The Palestine Support Group held a dinner at Community House in Sat River, where Palestinian activist Muna El-Kurd was the guest speaker.

The dinner that was held in the Ashley Kriel Hall, was chaired by Judge Siraj Desai. The other speakers were, the Dean of St George’s Cathedral Reverend Michael Weeder, MP Mandla Mandela , Shaik Gabriels, and Abdulla Griffat from the Palestinian Human Rights Commision organisation, Meezaan.

Judge Desai said that 65 000 people were removed from District Six and therefore the people of South Africa feel the pain of the Palestinians.

Dean Michael Weeder said he was the 17th Dean of the Cathedral having been installed as the Dean in 2011. Dean Weeder quoted Archbishop Desmond Tutu, “ What is your treatment of the poor”?

Mandla Mandela in his speech said that Israel is an apartheid state. He said we should raise our voices in favour of the Palestinians.

“The youth of Palestine should be supported and israel must be boycotted.”

He also called on African to boycott the Miss Universe competition to be held in israel in December.

Abdallah Grifat said that the will of the Palestinian people will never be crushed.”

Muna Al- Kurd spoke in Arabic and her speech was translated by Abdallah Grifat. Muna told the guests

Support for Heathfield Principal

From Page 1

ANC provincial spokesman on education Khalied Sayed said the continued purge against vocal teachers raising critical issues on behalf of poor and working class – class communities continued in the province.

Khalied said Education MEC Debbie Schafer does not tolerate dissent by certain principals , while shielding and protecting other principals, especially “white”

people facing serious transgressions. Sayed says that it was not shocking at all that the “kangaroo court” established and led by the MEC to discipline Wesley had found him guilty.

“There was no objectivity whatsoever in the process.

Key witnesses of Neuman were not allowed to testify at the hearing. The aim was always to find Neuman guilty and discipline him.

His crime is not corruption or any crimes but fighting

Abdallah Grifat, Judge Desai, Muna Al- Kurd , Rabia and Mandla Mandela attended the dinner hosted by the Palestine Support Group. that at the moment, six Palestinians are on a hunger strike in a jail in israel. “ One detainee is

into his 100th day”, said the activist. She is like many Palestinians fighting to stay in their homes because

Israeli settlers from other parts of the world want to settle in the homes of Palestinians. She appeals

to the SA government to cut ties with israel. She thanked the people of SA for siding with Palestine.

for the health and well-being of his staff and pupils who were being forced to attend school which the WCED was not doing enough to protect them from Covid 19,” said Khalied. He warned the WCED not to make the mistake of dismissing Wesley Neuman,as they would not take that lying down. “ We salute and commend him for his courage and love for his learners and teachers,” Sayed.

The independence and objectivity of the Presiding

Officer (PO), Ronelle Raubenheimer who was paid R82 500 for her services in the disciplinary hearing has come into question by parents’ lobby group, the Special Action Committee(sac). In a letter the SAC questioned the independence of the officer. SAC spokesman

Allen Liebenberg says, “I think that Debbie Schafer applies a torturous logic when she uses the adjective ‘independent’ to describe the presiding officer in the case against Neuman.

Firstly, WCED appoints and pays the presiding officer.

The best we can hope for is that SACE (South African

Council of Educators) will make a statement about this flawed process.

In response (WCED) spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said that the presiding officer was not singled out when she was appointed.

Rabi al-Awwal 1443 \

October 2021

www.muslimmatters.org.za

Athlone High School Valedictory The annual Athlone High Matric Valedictory ceremony took place at the school on 19th October 2021.

This auspicious event almost did not take place this year as the principal was very upset about the poor behaviour of many of the matriculants. He decided to go ahead with the Valedictory event after lots of thoughtful consideration and consultation with all important stakeholders.

Parents were allowed to attend the outdoor event which was held in the main quadrangular of the historic high school. Athlone High School(AHS) is the fifth oldest high school in the Western Cape. Athlone High The school will be celebrating 75 glorious years of existence next year, 2022. The theme of the Valedictory this year was HAMLET, the prescribed Shakespeare drama. The Principal’s address made reference

to Three Hamlet themes, namely Action versus Inaction, Corruption and Religion. These were contextualized for the 21st century.

Wesley Neumann, Principal of Heathfield High Schoolwas the guest speaker. Vincent Hendricks referred to him as South Africa’s best principal owing to his outspokeness, hard work and vision.

Neumann made mention of the suffering of the Palestinians in his

speech. The cultural programme of the day included the singing of the school anthem ( Nihil Sed Optimus)

by Merold Hiebner.

The Ned Doman High Schooll Marimba band entertained the guests while a fencing duel by the Athlone High drama

Top Sports Woman

club showed off their talents.

The highlights of the day were the awards.

Students received

Aqeedah Saal was the top sports woman of the year.

With her is educator, Johannes- Haupt awards for top academic achievements overall and per subject. There were also sports and cultural awards.

The top three academic achievers are: Sherazaan Diedericks, Rehniesha Minaar and Azraa Domingo. Sherazaan is hoping to study Pharmacy at UWC next year. The top sportswoman of the year is Aqeedah Saal. Athlone High has an interesting range of clubs and societies including Archery, Rotary Club and Photography.

Educators, Nell and Johannes - Haupt worked very hard behind the scenes in making the Valedictory event happen. The Principal acknowledged their efforts and thanked students, parents and teachers.

Seafood Platter for one

He also thanked Tiaan Kiewitz a student teacher for assisting with the decor.

“May we live for our children and may they become jewels in our crown”, said the Principal, Vincent Hendricks.

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