The 2014 Valedictory and Prize Giving Ceremony for Sinenjongo High School in Joe Slovo, which Rabie adopted as the major beneficiary of its CSI programme six years ago, was held last Saturday and was a truly joyous occasion for not only the 139 matriculants of 2014 but also their families and the community at large.
As the school does not have a hall and the local community centre was not available, the school had to hire the Baptist Church Hall in Sanddrift a good kilometre away.
The festivities started at midday with excited learners congregating at the school and donning academic gowns and mortarboards. An hour later a blue and white clad brass band arrived at the school to lead the learners on the walk to the hall.
Dozens of community volunteered their services to act as traffic marshals closing off intersections for the 400 strong crowd including learners, teachers and family members as they snaked their way through the township across Bosmansdam Drive and into Sanddrift cheered on by onlookers.
The ceremony itself included motivational speakers with entertainment being provided by the school choir and a traditional dance band followed by the prize giving with most improved, runner up and best performer in each subject being called up to receive their prize before being photographed with the respective teacher and their families.
We wish our 2014 matriculants every success with the exams and we are confident they will again do us and themselves proud!