The Motivational Say No Magic show took Sunnyridge Primary School children by storm, recently.
“I present these shows mainly in primary schools, where I use magic to convey educational messages,” said the magician, Herman Zuvela.
“My messages are against drugs, alcohol and bullying, among other things.
“It is important to instil such messages in children’s minds at an early age.
“It really is interesting to see how easily children grasp knowledge while having fun; it is important to find ways to motivate them to say no.”
The pupils gathered at the school hall in anticipation of what Zuvela had in store for them.
The show was also a form of fund-raising for the school.
“We, together with other public schools, have applied to become a school where parents are requested to pay school fees, so that we can maintain and offer quality education,” said Marianna Odendaal, Sunnyridge Primary School’s principal.
“However, the South African Schools’ Act makes provision for parents with a very low income to apply to be exempted from the payment of school fees.
“Those parents must, however, provide evidence that, that is the real situation.
“Being a public school, we have plenty of expenses and we want to maintain the standards and, therefore, we do fund-raising activities.
“This event is one of the fund-raising activities where we try to complement our budget in order to meet our commitments and pay creditors.”
Odendaal also said not every pupil at the school attended Zuvela’s show.
“This event is not compulsory, it is an optional choice as there were parents who chose for their children not to participate,” she said.
“We then provided those children with another class, where a teacher took care of them.”
Sunnyridge Primary School was among the other primary schools Zuvela visited.
“I performed at Primrose Primary School, last year,” he said.
“I am willing to visit any school interested in my magic show with a twist.”
For more information contact Zuvela on 082 775 0039.
