As part of their 50th anniversary year celebrations, Mikro Primary School will soon be hosting a community-driven five-kilometre walk/run event, the proceeds of which will be invested in the school’s learners. This is according to Louis Mouton, principal at Mikro Primary School, which is located in Kuils River.
Louis Mouton (pictured), principal of Mikro Primary School, wears one of the silver medallions that will be awarded to every person who participates in the Mikro Primary School and Lifestyle Challenge walk/run. Owner of Lifestyle Challenge, Hannelie Bekker, stated that a total of 300 medallions have been made for the participants. PHOTO: Chelsea Burnell
The event will be held on 19 March at Zevenwacht Wine Estate and will be open to the public, stated Mouton. All of the proceeds made on the day will be donated to the CH Kühn Fund for less fortunate learners of the school, he stated.
“This fund is part of our budget every year where we put in funds for children [at Mikro Primary School] that need support for cultural and sports activities,” stated Mouton. He explained how “after Covid […] there might be more need regarding [culture] and sport in general”.
Mikro Primary School is the biggest single-medium Afrikaans school in the Western Cape. The slogan of the school is “Waar kind nog kind kan wees”. This is according to Mikro Primary School’s website. PHOTO: Chelsea Burnell
Community collaboration
The event is set to take place at Zevenwacht Wine Estate in Kuils River, and will be hosted in collaboration with Lifestyle Challenge, a family-orientated organisation aimed at “helping people to form healthy habits for life”. This is according to Hannelie Bekker, owner of Lifestyle Challenge.
Zevenwacht Wine Estate recently used the proceeds from their annual walking permits to create new pathways and a walking map, according to Denise Johnson, the sales and marketing director of the estate. She added that the estate also employed security at their gate to ensure guests have a safe environment on the estate. Zevenwacht is an estate that is very conscious of their environmental footprint, which is why the number of people on the estate is managed at any given time, Johnson explained. PHOTO: Chelsea Burnell
The estate will not require the school to pay them for hosting the event, according to Denise Johnson, sales and marketing director at Zevenwacht Wine Estate. She explained that this is because of the estate’s philosophy of supporting the Kuils River community in whatever way it can.
“For all local community events we try not to charge,” stated Johnson. “So, if a school like Mikro approaches us and says that the school is raising funds to give back to the school community, then we will waive the fee.”
A five-kilometre path will be cordoned off around Zevenwacht Wine Estate for the walk/run that will be hosted by Mikro Primary School. Participants will have the option to have a picnic on the lawns of the estate after the event, according to Louis Mouton, principal of Mikro Primary School. PHOTO: Chelsea Burnell
Advertising the event through Lifestyle Challenge’s platform could reach more people, according to Hannelie Bekker. “Lifestyle Challenge promotes family participation at all these events,” stated Bekker, who is also a parent at Mikro Primary School and involved in all the school’s fundraising. “It is such a privilege to be active with family and friends on a beautiful wine farm,” she stated.