Monument Primary School and the Walking The Talk Foundation (WTTF) have joined forces to raise funds for a modern, multi-purpose sports arena.

Principal Jennifer Diener said the vision behind the project is to create a facility that allows every learner to participate in sport, physical education and school events regardless of the weather. She added the arena would become a central hub for sporting excellence, learner development and school unity.

“As a school that values holistic education, we believe that sport plays a vital role in developing discipline, teamwork, resilience and confidence,” she said.

Although significant progress has been made on the project, Diener said the incomplete arena continues to limit the opportunities available to learners.

“Completing the facility will provide a reliable, high-quality venue that can be used throughout the year,” she added.

Facility built for more than sport

Once completed, the arena will allow the school to expand its sports programme, host inter-school competitions and provide learners with improved training facilities. It will also be used for assemblies, cultural events, prize-givings and community activities.

“Most importantly, it will provide our Monument Primary learners with a facility that encourages participation, healthy lifestyles and school pride,” Diener said.

Every learner at the school is expected to benefit from the completed facility, which will be used daily for physical education, sports training, assemblies and special events.

Diener continued that the arena would not only improve sporting opportunities but also enrich the overall school experience by providing a safe and versatile space where learners can grow academically, physically and socially.

The multi-purpose facility will extend beyond sport, serving as a venue for school assemblies, concerts, cultural events, awards ceremonies and parent gatherings. It will also create opportunities to host events that bring learners from surrounding schools together and promote community involvement. However, completing a large-scale infrastructure project has proved challenging.

“Like many schools, Monument Primary School has had to balance the costs of maintaining quality education while investing in major infrastructure,” Diener said.

“Large-scale projects require substantial funding, and rising construction costs have made completion even more challenging.”

She said the school was grateful for the support already received from parents, sponsors and community members, but additional funding is still required.

Community steps up to support vision

Diener said the response to the fundraising campaign had been positive, with learners embracing the campaign with excitement and parents showing strong support.

“It has been inspiring to see the Monument family unite behind a shared goal that will benefit both current and future generations of learners,” she said.

Diener believes the support from businesses and the wider community also sends an important message to learners.

“It sends a powerful message that they are valued and that their future matters,” Diener said.

“When learners see businesses, families and community members investing in their school, they develop a greater sense of pride, belonging and responsibility.”

The fundraising initiative is being supported by WTTF, whose founder, Dale van Blerk, said the foundation was inspired to partner with Monument Primary after seeing a school with a clear vision and a real need.

“By partnering with Monument Primary School, we have the opportunity to help complete a sports arena that will benefit learners for many years to come,” Van Blerk said.

The foundation has chosen a 5km community walk to raise funds for the project at Ruimsig Stadium on Sunday, November 1, with festivities starting at 08:30.

The campaign carries the message “Building Futures One Step at a Time”, which Van Blerk said represents the belief that every step, donation and act of support contributes towards building a better future for children.

Beyond raising funds, he hopes the initiative will inspire communities and businesses to work together and show learners that people genuinely care about their future. WTTF has also committed to ensuring that funds raised are managed responsibly.

“We operate with clear budgets, proper financial controls and regular reporting to ensure every contribution is used responsibly,” Van Blerk said.

He said community members and corporate sponsors play a key role in making projects such as this possible, while the initiative aligns with WTTF’s broader mission to build, equip and restore schools and create better opportunities for learners across South Africa.

Diener said the school’s next step, once the fundraising target has been reached, will be to move into the final phase of construction as quickly as possible while maintaining the highest quality standards.

“Our goal is to complete the project efficiently while maintaining the highest quality standards,” she said.

She added that the school looked forward to opening the facility and providing learners and the greater community with a space they could enjoy for sport and cultural participation for many years to come.

Van Blerk urged businesses still considering becoming sponsors or partners to view their involvement as an investment in education and the future of children.

For residents considering participating in the walk or supporting the project in another way, Diener said every contribution counts.

“Every step, every donation and every act of support makes a difference,” she said.

Van Blerk echoed the sentiment, saying: “Together we can achieve far more than we can alone. Every ticket, every donation and every step helps build a brighter future.”

The 5km walk is intended to bring the community together behind the project, with Diener inviting residents to become part of the journey to turn the school’s vision into reality.