Thrive Hout Bay hosted the winners of the 2017 EnviroAudit interschool competition on their winning trip to the People’s Hut recently.
The sound of excited young voices could be heard around Constantia Nek car park on Saturday October 21. This was the meeting point for the prize-winners and with backpacks stuffed full of everything they needed for the weekend, they set off on their hike up on the People’s Trail, via Orange Kloof.
The winning schools were Llandudno Primary School (first), Kronendal Primary (second) and Hout Bay High School (third). Each school won four places for their eco heroes to tackle the People’s Trail led by a SANParks guide. The group was accommodated overnight at the People’s Hut on Table Mountain, with food for four learners and one pupil sponsored by Franki Africa.
Sadly, Llandudno Primary School was not able to take up their places which meant that each of the two other schools were able to invite two additional pupils.
The group was led by two SANParks guides, Johan October and trainee Chad Hess.
Mr October made a big impression on everyone with his knowledge of the fauna and flora.
As a past Sentinel Primary and Hout Bay High pupil and a resident of Hangberg, he is always looking for ways to give back to his community, and volunteered to be the guide for this particular group.
During the stayover, the guides took the Hout Bay High boys on an exciting night walk.
The hike followed the trail up Orange Kloof to the People’s Hut, via the old waterworks and the Hely Hutchinson dam. “Thank you to SANParks for this wonderful prize, and to Franki Africa which sponsored the food for all the hikers. A big thank you also goes to the teachers, school staff members, moms and dads who helped with all the logistics to make this fun and highly educational outing happen,” said Thrive executive director Helen Adendorff. For guided walks in the Hout Bay-Table Mountain area, contact Johan October on 078 536 3668 or johan.october@yahoo.com.
