Soneike High School unveiled its new hall and fully equipped science laboratory last week made possible by a generous donation from the South African Muslim Charitable Trust (SAMCT).
Principal Ronel Baker said Soneike High School, made up of temporary structures, is the epitome of grit, which she explained is “courage, strength of character, someone with passion, someone who takes a different route and always finds a route to get to what they want”.
As they can’t always rely on the education department for support with everything, they must hustle, she explained.
“We have to ask. That is how this relationship (with SAMCT) started.”
Baker said she sent many emails out to get help with the school’s literacy campaign following the launch of the Department of Basic Education’s “Read to Lead campaign”.
This led to the school being the first recipient of mobile libraries (units with books that could be moved around) in the Western Cape in 2017.
At the time the school also identified a need for a science laboratory.
“We moved the mobile libraries into classes and closed our library.
The structure became a classroom and books were placed in storage.”
Baker kept a conversation going with the “Read to Lead campaign” ambassador, Ahmed Motala (CEO of New Africa Education Foundation), after the delivery of the mobile libraries.
“I was trying to get our learners excited for a library. He (Motala) said they can’t help, as they only help rural schools.”
Vision
Baker kept asking.
“In 2019 when I asked, he said: ‘Wait, Mrs Baker, contact my wife, she is part of SAMCT’.”
A conversation started with Rasheeda Motala, corporate social investment administrator at the SAMCT, but the pandemic put paid to the vision.
“Hearing about the school’s desire to introduce a lab in support of their sustainable agriculture project, the SAMCT responded by sponsoring a functional science laboratory and hall, collectively valued at R570 000,” Rasheeda Motala said.
Faried Boltman, trustee of SAMCT, said at the opening last week the school stands out for its agriculture project.
“This fits in entirely with the objectives of the trust – to assist in education, health, poverty alleviation, community development and empowerment.”
Boltman said it is important for the trust to understand what the schools’ vision is so that they can be assisted in achieving their goals.
“When we come to a particular project, we want to see the school is deserving. We encourage the principal and management of the school to come forward and present what they want, and how we can assist them.”
Boltman explained during the pandemic the trust shifted its focus to feeding people and medical assistance but is now back on track with projects.
“We have a good relationship with the education department – we understand they cannot do everything, and we try to assist wherever we can.”
Boltman said the SAMCT spends on average around R20 million a year on projects and facilities.
“We get many applications. This school and its management have shown they are forward-thinking.
“The science lab and agriculture project are a great thing.
“Everyone knows we must eat, and we need to understand where food comes from.”
Project
The science laboratory will support natural, physical, agricultural and life sciences, whilst also contributing to the schools’ sustainable agricultural project, linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for Africa.
The project fosters an understanding of urban agriculture and the need to ensure food security and food sovereignty.
The SAMCT also sponsored a hall that can be used as two classrooms when partitions are in place.
In his word of thanks deputy principal Leon Hanslo said the trust gave the school more potential – “to multiply what we have”.
”We have a vision, but a lot falls by the wayside if there is no support for vision.”
Hanslo said the hall is already used every afternoon and sometimes overbooked.
“There is one thing sorely lacking at our school and that is a complete library space.
“We have drawn plans. Our children come with great results, yet they can’t read.
“They say our school is a ‘hokkie skool’ – but we are on top of the food chain of hokkies. Our children are our future, and we are thankful that we are going to make them better.
“We want to show the world our children have brains for math and science,” Hanslo said.
