OPEN Air School celebrated the achievement’s of its Grade 12 pupils at its recent annual prizegiving ceremony.
Guest of honour on the day was Niranjan Bridgelall, director of Special Needs Education – KZN. In an inspiring speech, Bridgelall highlighted the fact that the biggest disability was the mind and with a positive attitude, anything can be achieved.
A number of prizes were awarded to deserving pupils. The main sporting awards were the Neil de Villiers trophy for Sportsman of the Year awarded to Smisokuhle Mntungwa, the Wareing trophy for Sportswoman of the Year awarded to Sthabile Mnyandu, the Swedish trophy for disabled Sportsman of the Year awarded to Musawenkosi Dlamini and the Erika van Niekerk trophy for disabled Sportswoman of the Year awarded to Zamageba Zulu.
The Open Air Dux for 2013 was Sithabile Cele. Other main awards were the Shelly Altshuler Memorial prize for a pupil who has promoted contact between Open Air learners and pupils from other schools awarded to Aaminah Pharos and the Monty Goldstein Memorial prize awarded to Msizi Mdladla for unfailing good manners and courtesy.
The highlight of the Open Air prizegiving was the announcement of the recipient of the Cedric Hilson Award. This prize was founded by Mr and Mrs Hilosn in memory of their son who was a learner at Open Air from 1940 until his death at the age of 13 in 1945. Although debarred by delicate health from usual childhood activities, Cedric, with great determination and fortitude led a full life. It is awarded to a learner who displays the qualities which resemble Cedric. This award went to Ndumiso Ngcobo.
