Hout Bay High recently was given a boost when Groot Constantia Wine Estate donated 10 specially-built planters to the Hangberg school.
The windfall came after teacher Jan-Len van Wyk told community member Cameron Nel that he wanted a “better space for his learners”, as the outdoor amphitheatre used as a gathering point at the school offers no greenery or shade.
Mr Nel immediately reached out to local and outside businesses, and shortly afterwards trees and soil were donated by Stodels Garden Centre and Earthworx Garden World. However, barrels in which to plant the trees were still needed, which is how Groot Constantia came to be involved.
At the handover of the barrels on Tuesday February 7, Groot Constantia marketing manager explained to pupils that the planters were “different”, in that they were built with smaller gaps to retain the soil, and from treated timber so they would last longer.
Hout Bay High School principal Juan Julius stressed the need for the high school to uplift the children within their community.
“We can only mould them on this piece of land,” he said. “They are my children. I need to nurture them.”
