On August 21, a total of forty educators from Willem Postma and Bloemfontein Primary schools both located in the Free State capital, will collectively take part in a simulated cycling event to “Cape Town” in an effort to raise funds to save 32 SGB posts at the latter school. These 32 employees are teachers and other support staff, some of whom do physical work at the school’s grounds.

The headmaster of Bloemfontein Primary School, Gerdus Marx, says the coronavirus pandemic has brought schools' fundraising efforts to a complete halt, in addition to this, many parents have been either retrenched or received pay cuts, and as a result, struggle to meet their financial obligations to the school. Marx says it is with this in mind, that he and Willem Postma Headmaster, Jaco Kotze, got together to see what they can do to raise funds to ensure the salaries of employees in SGB posts are paid up whilst also adhering to the coronavirus regulations, which require that there be social distancing, regular sanitisation, and the wearing of masks. Following the thumbs up from the Free State Education Department – The Cycling for Charity event was born.

Kotze says the teachers – 20 from each public primary school - will cycle 1100km on stationary bikes which will be located in the Willem Postma Primary School Hall on 21 August. The event will kick off at 12:00 pm on the day. The public now has the opportunity to sponsor the teams per kilometre, “from 10c to R1000 or more”. The group intends on cycling 1100km, which is the estimated distance from Bloemfontein to Cape Town. Kotze says every half hour, a draw will take place and donors stand a chance of winning some interesting prizes. These include weekend getaways for two and delicious food prizes, amongst a slew of many others. The entire event will be streamed on Willem Postma’s website, where additional details on the event are as well.

During the tabling of the special adjustment budget in mid-June, Finance Minister, Tito Mboweni, informed South Africans the country will record its worst economic performance since the Great Depression – a predicted 7,2% contraction. While the effects thereof have been seen across varied industries, very little has been said regarding the impact it has had on schools. 

In June, reports emerged that the Anglican Diocese of Johannesburg in Gauteng had decided to close the doors on Bishop Bavin – a private school in Bedfordview – due to its financial woes. The school had to let go of 141 educators, leaving hundreds of learners in the lurk, forced to find new schools.

Kotze says all the schools have been hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic and he believes joining forces is the only way forward.

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