There were tears of joy at Stephen Reagon sports field in Westridge, on Saturday, when Harvester Primary School was again named the winner of the annual Mitchell’s Plain Schools Marching Drilling Competition.
The team members, dressed smartly in their green uniforms, drumming and marching to the beat, had all the boxes ticked and claimed the top spot in all the categories at the 10th anniversary instalment of the competition.
The categories included grand march, drum major, best dressed and exhibition.
This is the third year that Harvester Primary has won the primary school section of the competition.
Elsies River High won the high school section.
Harvester Primary pupil Shanice Samuels was thrilled when the MC Shahiem van Nelson announced the winners of the competition. “Hard work and dedication, landed us first place. We practised daily for hours, perfecting our skills so we are very happy that we are the winners for the third time,” she said.
“We cried because we were both overjoyed and for some of us it is our last year at school. I would like to thank the school, coach, supporters and my teammates for their support. The team enjoyed the competition, so we would like to thank the organisers,” she said.
Harvester Primary coach and instructor Dawood Davids said he was proud of his pupils because they were determined and committed.
“We are very happy for these pupils. They gave their all and you could see that in their performance today (Saturday). It was tough this year but we made it through. Our pupils come from different backgrounds and homes, so through drilling we want them to be good role models in their community,” he said.
Mr Davids has been part of the competition since inception, working in both high school and high schools. He has been at Harvester for five years, and said they have grown as a team. “There is a great work ethic and understanding, as the teachers and principal work together,” he said.
