Happy birthday SAVF Wonderland
Thanks to the enthusiasm, perseverance and hard work, from a small group of people, the house was transformed into an infant school, pre-school and aftercare centre
SAVF Wonderland is 40 years old.
They are having birthday celebrations on September 14.
The day will consist of a lot of activities like jumping castles, a flea market, art auction, children’s art on display and a potjiekos competition for Grade one to seven learners with a whopping R1 000 up for grabs.
Free donuts will be handed out and there will be a variety of games and activities to keep the young ones entertained.
But where did it all start?
Various old journals and newspaper articles have been re-read and the nostalgia and intrigue is overwhelming, as well as the love and motivation that shines through dedicated teachers with a great passion for small children as well as people with hearts of gold.
Ladies that look after, envelop in loving arms, and educate every parent’s most valuable possession.
The “Suid-Afrikaanse Vroue Federasie (SAVF) se Dagversorgingsoord”, as it was known in those days, and now SAVF Witbank Daycare has been looking after children of working mothers since 1979.
This year the school will be open for 40 years.
In 1961, Mrs Erasmus started looking after her working friends’ children at her home; however, the demand was so great that she could not accommodate everyone at her house.
With the help of the parents, an infant school was founded.
At the founding meeting that was held on August 22, 1974, a governing body for the proposed Witbank Infant school was elected.
The town council kindly rented an old residential house at 20 Hofmeyer Street to the committee for the school.
Thanks to the enthusiasm, perseverance and hard work, from a small group of people, the house was transformed into an infant school, pre-school and aftercare centre.
It quickly became known that this old house was not big enough to accommodate the huge demand for such a facility.
The governing body then decided to build a proper school to cope with the demand, however to obtain a community building loan, the committee had to affiliate themselves with a welfare organisation.
With the help and guidance of the Head of Health and Welfare, the SAVF (Suid Afrikaanse Vroue Federasie), made their welfare number available to the governing body to apply for the loan.
The Town Council acted as guarantor and donated the grounds necessary, in Churchill Street to the SAVF.
A new governing body was elected on May 19, 1978, under the leadership of Mr P. Broodryk, and the groundbreaking was done on June 16, 1979 by Mr Alwyn Fouche.
After seven years in the old residential house, May 4, 1981 had arrived, the day that the new building was to be occupied and used for the school.
The old governing body was disbanded in July 1984 after the SAVF took over the school.
To find out more about the birthday celebrations, call 013 656 2402 or visit SAVF Wonderland at 33 Churchill Avenue.
