De Duine raises half a million

An estimated N$500 000 was recently raised for De Duine Secondary School.The school hosted a gala dinner and introduced the minister of fisheries and marine resources, Derek Klazen, as the school’s patron. “We decided to bestow this honour upon Klazen because he is an alumnus and former teacher at our school. We are well aware that Klazen is very passionate about education. Your distinguished reputation and unwavering commitment to education and contributions to society make you an exemplary role model for our staff and learners,” Unice van Wyk, the department head at De Duine, said.Klazen, a former woodwork teacher at the school, accepted the task. “I feel deeply privileged to return to a school where I was a learner and where, many years ago, I was given an opportunity to ply my trade as a young teacher – fresh from college and eager to change the world.”Van Wyk added that, as patron, the minister would be expected to play a pivotal role in the growth and development of the school.Performance praised Walvis Bay mayor Trevino Forbes paid tribute to teachers at the event. “You are doing a lot with the very little you have. De Duine was ranked as the top advanced subsidiary level school in the region and second in the country – complemented by excellent performances on the sports field.”School board chairperson Donovan Paulse presented his vision for the school and highlighted some challenges. “The De Duine family believes in standing in the gap for others, and with the boundary wall incomplete, we need to fill this existing gap. We dedicated a piece of land to the ministry of education to establish a school, and this is our way of alleviating the overcrowding gap.”Paulse said the school still needed to complete 190 m of the 2.1 km boundary wall. Ark Building pledged to provide labour to complete a 20-metre stretch, and the Klazen family donated the material needed. Paulse explained that his dream was to ensure that a public school becomes equipped with similar facilities used by private schools. He said that the school board collaborated with the Erongo Sports Trust to draw up a four-phase plan to achieve this. “We want to start by upgrading the netball courts, installing cricket nets, and constructing a proper hockey field in phase one. Phase two will see the completion of the athletic track and rugby field. Phase three involves the construction of a soccer pitch, while phase four will see the construction of an indoor swimming pool.”Community power Professor Anthony Brown, a former learner of the school and head boy in 1995, delivered a motivational speech themed 'The Power of Community.'He also pledged N$50 000 over a five-year period. “I love the vision of the De Duine family and wholeheartedly support it. I am also extremely excited to serve as an ambassador for my former school. I am challenging the captains of the industry to pay forward.”Pledges and an auction raised N$245 000, while the sale of tickets amounted to N$255 000. A rugby jersey worn by Paulse (No. 10) in an u/19B final match involving De Duine and Jan Möhr in August 1994 fetched N$6 300 in the action. A penalty kick by Paulse ensured a 3-0 victory and the title for De Duine, becoming the first public school to win it.Supporting education Klazen said it was encouraging to see various businesses in the fishing sector and beyond choosing schools and other civic institutions as benefactors of their corporate social responsibility or corporate social investments. “Contributing to the completion of the construction of a boundary wall will offer the parents, learners, and teachers peace of mind – knowing that the learners and teachers alike are safe while protecting the school’s assets against vandalism and theft.“On the other hand, a school bus will provide the needed transport for the learners and teachers, which, at the moment, is costing both the school and the parents an arm and a leg.”For entertainment, The Kings Choir – whose members are all former De Duine learners – wowed the attendees with some very unique renditions.Musicians Tammy and Aden also brought the house down, while Andrêhett Lewanscheck, a grade 11 learner, rendered a poem titled 'De Duine a school of excellence'.

De Duine raises half a million

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Namibian Sun 2025-01-31

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De Duine raises half a million

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Namibian Sun 2025-01-31

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