With Record – Breaking Fundraiser
By Isaac Cloete
SPRINGBOK: – The SA van Wyk High School community in Bergsig, Springbok, has every reason to celebrate after their 50th anniversary festival turned into a historic success.
The highlight was Saturday evening’s Winter Ball, a glamorous event that brought together current learners, parents, alumni, and supporters from near and far. Months of planning and fundraising paid off when the organising committee announced the total funds collected: an impressive R531,301.66. With an additional R200,000 pledged, the final amount exceeded all expectations.
Master of Ceremonies Desmon Watt revealed the figure to thunderous applause, cheers, and emotional celebrations inside the packed venue. “It was a moment we will never forget,” said one committee member.
The stylish Springbok Guest Farm provided the perfect backdrop for the evening, as the Kallies Dance Band from Grabouw kept the dance floor alive until sunrise.
The ball was not only a night of glitz and glamour but also a showcase of the school’s far-reaching legacy. Among the 400 guests were alumni who have made their mark internationally.
These included:
- Graeme van der Ross, owner of an accounting firm in Australia.
- Freddie “Vissie” Cloete, living and working in the United Arab Emirates.
- Bertus Damon, a Namibian citizen and double amateur pairs world golf champion.
- Pieter Cloete, a former rugby player known for his continued support of the school.
- Well-known personalities such as Kenneth Makatees (SABC) and acclaimed actor Elton Landrew were also in attendance. Former acting principal Eddie van Wyk, brother of the late Samuel Anton van Wyk (after whom the school was named), travelled from Walvis Bay to join the celebration.
Major contributions of R50,000 each came from Graeme van der Ross, Eddie van Wyk, Pieter Cloete, and the SA van Wyk Alumni Golf Club.
In his address, current principal Stanley Thiart announced the launch of the SA van Wyk Relief Fund.
“This is the largest fund in the school’s history,” Thiart said. “We are deeply grateful to the SA van Wyk family, alumni, and every supporter who contributed, no matter the size of the donation.”
The golden jubilee proved not only to be a celebration of the past 50 years but also an investment in the school’s future.
