Jaco Kotze specifically calls upon Wilgerivier High School in Frankfort to lend a helping hand to nearby Villiers High School – the latter of which, according to him, is under immense financial strain.

Kotze’s plea comes as Willem Postma partners up with Bloemfontein Primary School to host a Cycling for Charity event on August 21.

The event is meant to raise funds mainly for the 32 School Governing Body (SGB) posts at Bloemfontein Primary School. These 32 employees are teachers and other support staff, some of whom do physical work at the school’s grounds.

Kotze says all the schools are facing a financial challenge of sorts, because their fundraising efforts for the year have been cancelled. He says any opportunity to help alleviate the financial burden, for laid-off parents who cannot pay school fees, will assist in the long run.

In June, reports emerged that the Anglican Diocese of Johannesburg 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 lurch, forced to find new schools.

On 21 August, teachers – 20 from each public primary school - will cycle 1100 kms on stationary bikes which will be located in the Willem Postma Primary School hall. 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.

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 can be streamed on Willem Postma’s website, where additional details on the event are available as well.

OFM News