Strydom was arrested in 2009 after children, who he had coached, laid charges against him.
He was found guilty on two counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault.
According to Hugenote principal Frans Styger, Strydom was the sports coach for approximately two years.
“Immediately after investigating officer Tracy Wentzel informed me of the situation, I called Strydom in, as well as the governing body and ordered Strydom to take mandatory leave,” said Styger on Tuesday, relieved that the case will now be laid to rest so that the victims can now move on with their lives.
Only one of Strydom’s victims, who was in Grade Eight at the time of the incident, attended the proceedings and was moved when Magistrate Ian Cox pointed out that they are aware of five victims, but there were more and they have to ‘live with this for the rest of their lives’.
According to Magistrate Cox, the teachers ‘knew but did nothing’.
“Parents trust their children to a teacher to be educated not to be abused,” said Magistrate Cox.
According to Magistrate Cox he victimised vulnerable children who appeared to have come from broken homes, gaining their sympathy by telling them he had lost both his parents who had died in a car accident.
“It is obvious that Strydom manipulated his victims to his advantage to satisfy his sexual desires,” said Magistrate Cox on Monday.
After his sentence was handed down, Strydom was asked if he would like to apologise to his victims, but he replied ‘not really’.
According to Magistrate Cox, Strydom showed no remorse since he did not admit to guilt nor did he want to apologise to any of his victims.
According to Wentzel, Strydom was sentenced to 31 years and will serve 21 years effectively.
“Strydom was sentenced to 10 years on two counts of rape, three years on two counts of sexual assault and another five years on the third sexual assault,” she said, adding that the sentences for the two rape cases will run concurrently.
The father of one of the victims said they waited five years and he feels good that Strydom has now been sentenced.
Styger added that the ruling is fair.
