Former DRC pupils host 50-year reunion

Dutch Reformed Missionary Church (DRC) primary school alumni hosted their 50-year reunion with a service at Die Slot VGK, in Grassy Park, where the school used to be situated, on Sunday, May 24.

Afterwards, the reunion group met at the Cullinan Hotel, in Cape Town.

Alfie Hendricks, chairperson of the DRC reunion group, said about 36 members attended the service and only 30 went to the Cullinan Hotel.

Mr Hendricks said a group of DRC former pupils formed an alumni in February last year and they have had several meetings to discuss the big 50th anniversary event.

This DRC was built in the 1960s and it was situated in 2nd Avenue Grassy Park. “It opened its doors in 1969 due to the population growth in Grassy Park. Grassy Park was known as Koek se Bos before being renamed,” said Mr Hendricks.

The DRC could only accommodate a capacity of about 150 to 200 pupils, and education went only until Standard 5 (Grade 7). “The grounds had white sand and rocks on the playgrounds,” said Mr Hendricks.

Scary memories included how Mr Abrahams, the strict principal, was feared by all as he was the one with the cane, said Mr Hendricks. 

He said as pupils they used to pop into a shop called Qewton, in Lake Road, “where we used to buy our sweets, the Wilson blocks, stars and monkeys (peanuts).".

The school closed its doors in 1975 and was demolished in 1976.

“In the 1970s a modern school opposite DRC was built called De Klip where many of the DRC pupils were transferred to.”

After completing primary school, the pupils attended various high schools in the vicinity. Only pupils who attended the DRC school back then became involved with the reunion group, said Mr Hendricks. 

“The 50th anniversary was also a farewell because there will not be another reunion. Some of us will probably never see each other again. However, the celebration was fantastic.”