School squads fall in line
There were tears of joy and shouts of jubilation as West End Primary School was announced overall primary school winner of the SAPS Mitchell’s Plain schools’ marching and drill competition at the weekend.
Port Elizabeth’s Nzondelelo High School was the overall winner in the high school category, with Spine Road High School as runner-up.
The competition saw teams being judged for best dressed and executing moves in unison, with military precision, in an intense 12-hour event at the Castle of Good Hope, in Cape Town, which ended at 8pm on Saturday October 14.
It was the Lentegeur primary school’s first time taking part in the competition and also the first time in the competition’s 13-year history that it was held outside of Mitchell’s Plain. It is usually held at Stephen Reagon sports field in Westridge.
Eight primary schools competed, including two schools from Port Elizabeth - Alpha and Charles Duna; as well as Levana in Lavender Hill, Kleinberg in Ocean View; Eastville in Eastridge, Liesbeeck in Portland, Wavecrest in Rocklands, and West End in Lentegeur.
Nine secondary schools participated, including Soqhayisa and Nzondelelo in Port Elizabeth; Elsies River, Lavender Hill, Zandvliet in Macassar; and Spine Road High School, in Rocklands, Strandfontein High School, Oval North and Beacon Hill Secondary School,in Beacon Valley.
Mitchell’s Plain police station commander Brigadier Jan Alexander said the competition would always be hosted and that it would continue the work of its founder, retired Major General Jeremy Vearey, who started the programme in 2007, when he was the station commander.
According to the competition’s history, a handful of “naughty” children were inducted into the programme, which blossomed into an exhibition that shows children’s marching and drill skills, coupled with a sense of belonging and achievement.
Mr Vearey said that schools were on the front lines of domestic abuse, gang violence, substance abuse and street crimes.
“These factors have a negative impact on our youth who are easily influenced by unsuitable role models such as gang leaders with flashy cars and lots of cash,” he said.
The programme has evolved and has changed from consisting of mainly delinquent youth into attracting youth volunteers, who see marching and drill as an opportunity to express themselves, to be part of a winning team, to demonstrate pride in their school and the achievement of success, read the back of the programme sheet.
Lifelong partner and supporter Kader Miller, from Midea Events, said his philosophy has always been “a child in sport, is a child out of court”.
"I’m sure we have made a difference in some kids lives, not all of them, and not knowing what we have done to have helped change their lives,“ he said.
