Representatives of sixteen schools from some of the most impoverished neighbourhoods within the greater Cape Town region participated in the Avontuur Estate Fillies Guineas Barrier Draw at Avontuur Estate on the 27th of November 2014.

Dedicated public servants received a hall-pass to be spoilt at this dazzling event amongst the clinking of glasses and snapping of cameras. The sixteen schools that were invited had the opportunity to draw one of ten horses running in the R1000 000 Gr 1 Avontuur Estate Cape Fillies Guineas horseracing event planned to take place at Kenilworth Racecourse on Saturday the 6h December 2014. A donation of R100 000 made by Avontuur Estate and Kenilworth Racing, will enable the Peninsula School Feeding Association (PSFA) to exclusively provide children at these participating schools with nutritious breakfasts and warm lunches on a daily basis. 

Kevin Boyd, principal at Rosmead Central Primary who drew horse number 7, Cuvee Brut, believes his chances are pretty good, come race day. Approximately 250 pupils benefit from the PSFA feeding programme at his school which comprises of 630 children mainly from Khayelitsha, Hanover Park and Mitchells Plain. This state school, although in a middleclass suburb, relies heavily on fund raising activities to keep it afloat.

A spirited woman in education Sharon Plaatjies (H.O.D. at Macassar High), mentioned that when she applied for governmental feeding assistance, her school was turned down. Stats SA asserted that the school is privileged because it falls into the Helderberg area, which is flanked by wealthy farms and private schools. However, she was delighted when her feeding application was successful with the PSFA feeding programme. With many of the pupils residing in Smartie Town and Rondem Skrik, she is very proud of what her school has achieved to date exclaiming that her Matriculants had a pass rate of 76% in 2013; she still sees room for improvement though.

Charles Grey, PSFA’s Fundraising Manager, commented that “It is fantastic to see representatives of schools from the hardest hit areas rubbing shoulders with millionaires and being pampered at the draw, it feels as if a social gap has been bridged”

PSFA will be hosting a special fundraising function in the Somerset Room at Kenilworth racecourse on event day. Tickets are on sale for only R395 per person, which is the amount it costs to feed a child at school for a year. The ticket includes a three course buffet meal, soft drinks, entertainment and a great day of racing. To book your seat please contact Diane Hayden on 082 787 6154 or via e-mail dianehayden@mweb.co.za <mailto:dianehayden@mweb.co.za>  

PSFA currently feeds 26 000 underprivileged children at 132 schools throughout the Western Province.