West End Primary honours grandparents

Alicia English|Published 6 months ago

West End Primary bestowed the school’s national order of Ntshona Langa on two of its former school governing body (SGB) chairpersons Shahien van Nelson and Mogamat Sadick Wickstrom in recognition of their exceptional service and contribution to the betterment of the school and community. From left: Mr Van Nelson, Zukelwa Ndlangalavu (Western Cape Education Department’s Metro South District social worker), Mitchell’s Plain author Farieda Abrahams, Nolonwabi Babi (Metro South learning support advisor), Mr Wickstrom and Faiza Gasant, current West End Primary SGB chairperson.

West End Primary hosted 520 seniors at their annual grandparents appreciation day on Thursday September 12. Pictured here with a few grandparents is the school principal Clive Arries.

Mr Van Nelson and Mr Wickstrom were among 500 grandparents of West End Primary pupils who were honoured at the school’s grandparent appreciation event on Thursday September 12.

Ntsonalanga is the isiZulu term for “west” and means where the suns sets.

Clive Arries, principal of West End Primary, said the setting of the sun in the west, is a powerful methaphor of governance, community building and leadership.

“The sun setting in the west symbolises an end of a day’s work, a time for reflection and laying a foundation for tomorrow. At West End Primary, this symbolises the commitment of leadership and laying down the structures that will build a strong future for our learners and community.”

Mr Arries said the setting of the sun also represents the passing on of wisdom from one generation to the next. “Much like the role you as our grandparents are playing in shaping the young lives of our children,” Mr Arries told the seniors.

The grandparent appreciation event is held annually to honour and celebrate the invaluable role that grandparents play in the lives of the school’s pupils and the wider school community.

“Grandparents provide wisdom, support, and guidance that significantly contribute to the personal and educational development of our learners.The event is a chance for us to express our heartfelt gratitude for their enduring love and commitment.”

The elderly received a warm welcome from Grade 3 pupil, Zaakir Bastra, and sign language interpreter and Grade 6 pupil, Iemaan Bailey.

They were also addressed by Mitchell’s Plain author Farieda Abrahams and the Western Cape Education Department Metro South District’s learning support advisor, Nolonwabi Babi, and district social worker, Zukelwa Ndlangalavu.