Two teens at the Delft Technical High School are jetting off to France today to represent South Africa at the Comite Departemental Olympique et Sportif 71.
The conference takes place from 24 to 31 August and 170 laaities from five different continents will participate.
The project involves the long-term meetings between young people from different nations on the theme of Olympic education and the legacy of Pierre de Coubertin, the renovator of the Olympic Games, innovator of school sports and Olympic education.
This forum takes place in several parts in direct relationship with the ideals of Pierre de Coubertin which put forward the three Olympic values: excellence, respect and friendship.
Not only sport, but arts and culture are also covered.
This forum gives rise to the Pierre de Coubertin International Prize.
Teachers, pupils and parents got together on Tuesday afternoon to wish Grade 10 pupil Wakiel Makriel, 16, and Grade 11 pupil, Q’tania Jacobs, 16, well as they fly out to Europe this morning.
The school had a prayer session and some entertainment, which included singing by the pupils and well wishes from the community.
The excited teens say they feel nervous as they will be representing not only their community but South Africa.
Wakiel’s mother, Farida Ryklief, the Delft Community Policing Forum secretary, says she is proud that these two were chosen as they are actively involved in youth activities in the area.
“We are ecstatic. It is difficult to raise a boy in Delft (due to gangsterism) and this is why we encourage youth programmes in safe spaces to keep them off the streets.”
The school community saw the teens off at the Cape Town International Airport.
saafia.february@inl.co.za