Jabez drummies explore Durban during nationals

POLOKWANE- A team of drum majorettes from Jabez Christian Academy had a once in a lifetime experience during the winter school holiday when they travelled to Durban to participate in the South African Majorette and Cheerleading Association (SAMCA) national championships where they also took time off to explore the sights of the city.

For some of the 16 learners from Gr 2 to 6, it was their first visit to the coast and the fact that they were not one of the eight teams from over the country to qualify for the finals, did not down play the experience.

The team participated on the third day of their visit and the competition started as early as 08:20 and ended at 21:15. According to Jabez Principal, Dr Elana Erasmus, the standard of performance at the competition was exceptional.

“We are very proud of our girls. The exposure to compete against such promising other teams cannot be measured and we have gained enormous insight. It took us many hours of rigorous training and exercise and required excellent coordination, discipline and perseverance,” she said and added that the excursion was a wonderful end to the season and that she is looking forward to the 2024 nationals that will be hosted in Cape Town.

The group was accompanied by Erasmus and two coaches and took accommodation right next to uShaka Marine World, which was visited on the second day.

The drummies learned about dolphins and were made aware of pollution and how they could participate in cleaning up the environment.

The learners also visited Mini Town and the National Science Museum. A highlight of the tour was a one-hour boat trip into the Durban harbour and the open sea on the Sarie Marais. A visit to eThekwini is not complete without a visit to the beach and the learners took advantage of a dip in the ocean at Durban as well as Umhlanga.

On return the bus stopped at the Indezi River Creamery at Howick and the drummies learned about and tasted the yogurt and kefir that were on offer.