These Rob dads are leaving a legacy that will stand the test of time

WHITE RIVER - Jacobus Verster and the Rob Legacy initiative advance greater involvement of dads within the school environment, outside of just school sport.

Verster is an economist and an active Rob Legacy dad.

"White River Primary has the Fathers Ground movement, doing what we do and more. But Rob Legacy, which was established some six years ago and is about 40 dads strong, is active in Hoërskool Rob

Ferreira. Sadly only about 10 to 15 fathers are actively involved. Some are active contributors though. And then well, many dads are just not interested," said Verster.

"With the support from Rob’s principal, Rob Legacy started its initiatives by managing gate entrances and collecting fees at school sporting events. We also have other fundraising initiatives and the fees collected are then utilised for infrastructure projects at school and supporting the school feeding scheme. In 2019, we generated funding via the Grant Khomo and Craven rugby youth weeks, a Chicken Wings golf event for teachers and a rugby 10s tournament supported by White River Rugby Club and others.

"With the funds collected we have upgraded, among other things, the guardhouse, air conditioning in the school hall, upgraded the staff amenity facilities in the boarding school and installed a

50 000-litre water tank.

"As an introvert, my involvement has created opportunities for both social interaction and contribution towards larger and collective goals also shared by other dads. This involvement has for every one of us also created a new dynamic within the relationships with our own and other children. It also benefits the school and synchronises with our intention to create a legacy and set an example that will stand the test of time and empowers our children to become well-rounded individuals.

“Times are tough, the teaching environment challenging, and parentchild relationships can be demanding. Being involved with an initiative like

Rob Legacy is and can be a wonderful tool to address and resolve many of the aforementioned issues,” concluded Verster.

Front: Jopie Haycock, Johan Buys, Pietman Rademeyer, JJ Engelbrecht, (back) Quinton Hattingh, Andre Pretorius, Theo de Beer, Frans van Wyk, Grant Nel, Paul Steenberg, SW Venter and Cobus Willers.

Front: Pietman Rademeyer, Jacobus Verster, Roelof Kotze, Jopie Haycock, (back) Jolene Gates, Werner Nitzsche, SW Venter, Charles Gates, Jaco Bekker and Marius van Zyl.

Jacobus Verster.