Go Big Community Development
After nearly being left high and dry due to a shortage of funds to take part in the Western Cape Schools Marching Drill Competition, learners from four Gqeberha schools have finally arrived in Cape Town.
The pleasant twist of events came after the Eastern Cape Education Department reviewed its decision to send about 200 learners to the competition after they secured top honours at the provincial schools marching drill competition which took place in August.
According to Go Big Community Development non-profit organisation, the Department's review of the funding allocation for transport and accommodation for the learners, followed an urgent plea this week from parents and teachers at the schools.
At a briefing on Wednesday parents, teachers and learners expressed heartache and frustration, saying that they had been hard at training and incurred costs to prepare the children for the trip, including organising uniforms for those who could not afford them.
According to the CEO of Go Big Community Development, Addie Jappie, that same evening they received confirmation from the Eastern Cape Education Department that "upon review, the funding had been approved in light of the urgency of the matter and based off prior budgetary commitments made for the trip".
"As an organisation we are very pleased this story had a happy ending for the children and teachers who put so much effort into being part of our program diligently every year. Our collective voices were heard and our children are going to Cape Town."
Learners from Alpha and Charles Duna Primary Schools as well as learners from Ndzondele and Soqhayisa High School, will now be representing the Eastern Cape at the competition which takes place on Saturday at the Castle of Good Hope.
