Former learners wish school well on its 30th anniversary

POLOKWANE – Westenburg Secondary School will celebrate its 30th anniversary on Monday.

The school was established in 1981, but the school’s plaque was only unveiled on May 25 1985, and the school management is celebrating the school’s anniversary in accordance with the plaque.

In celebration of the school’s anniversary, Review asked former Westenburg Secondary School matriculants to share their most memorable and worst moments at the school.

Colin Harmse, a deputy manager in human resource and development at one of the government departments, was one of the school’s first matriculants in 1987.

“Our class was the first gr. 12 class at the school and even though it is a great achievement it was also my worst moment at the school. I did not do very well that year and I had to repeat my matric year in 1988. This was my greatest moment at the school, because I passed with a matric exemption,” Colin said.

Colin was not just a learner at Westenburg Secondary School, but also a teacher. After finishing his matric, he went to study education and after obtaining his diploma in education, he returned to the school in 1994, where he taught English, geography and history to gr. 4 – 8 learners.

When Good Hope Primary School was opened, the two schools were separated and Colin stayed at the high school, where he taught physical science to learners from gr. 10 – 12. He left the education sector in 2004.

“I am proud to say I am a product of Westenburg Secondary School. Happy 30th anniversary, and may the school grow from strength to strength and produce more leaders of tomorrow,” he said.

Martin Adams, a credit risk manager at one of the local banks, who matriculated in 1999, agreed with Colin that a lot of successful men and women from Westenburg were products of the school.

“Being the first u/13 provincial soccer player for the school was my most memorable moment and also being elected as deputy head boy in 1999,” Martin said.

Wilfred Heyman, an assistant treasury custodian at a cash supply value chain, who matriculated in 2000, said he had no bad moments at the school. “I enjoyed my school career because I made the best of every second at school, so I have no worst moments. The best moments for me were our class braais. There were also a lot of fundraising events, which included a school disco. That was nice because I was one of the deejays.”

Atta Holland, a credit manager at a local furniture shop, agreed with Wilfred that she seized every moment and made the best of every day at school. “I was very naughty at school, but also very hard working, attentive in class and I listened to the teachers’ advice. A lot of the learners feared the maths teacher, Don Buys, but he was my favourite. I was an athlete throughout my school career, participating in netball, hockey and athletics. The thing I miss the most about school is the sporting days at the Peter Mokaba Stadium. Parents supported this event religiously and there was an undescribable sports spirit with every event. We had so much fun in those days. I wish the school a happy 30th anniversary and I hope that the sporting spirit that died over the years is ignited again,” Atta said.

Pastor Sarel Martin, a construction contractor, matriculated in 1994 and his most memorable moment at Westenburg Secondary School was when his class successfully introduced physical science at the school in 1993.

“We wanted to better our chances of one day becoming doctors, so we campaigned in 1992 that physical science be taught at the school. In 1993, we were the first group to have this subject. That for me is the greatest moment, along with being elected head boy that year,” Sarel said.