This Mitchells Plain mom says she will fight tooth and nail to see her school’s drilling squad reach the top.
Fatima Veldsman, 36, who calls herself a “drilling mom” reports for duty at 8am every day at Montagu Drive Primary School in Portlands.
On Saturday, the school will compete against 18 other schools in the Western Province Drilling competition at Vygieskraal Stadium in Athlone.
The other schools include Brambleway Primary, Uitsig Community Squad, Westridge High, Merrydale Primary, Portlands Primary, Newfields Primary, Parkfields Primary, Hyacinth Primary, Wavecrest Primary, and Fairmount High.
Fatima, who has two children at the school, says her cadets are her everything.
“We have a coach from the WP Marching Association who teaches the kids the ropes and practice everyday after school,” she says.
COACH: Enrico Jonas, 17
The coach on the day of the Daily Voice visit was Enrico Jonas.
Fatima says: “But I feel the need to be here for the kids because they are my babies and I’m their drill mommy.
I push them to their limits and ensure the drilling sets are on point and perfect.”
The feisty mom stands on the side and walks among the cadets with her
makeshift mace in hand to check for timing and posture.
Distance
And she can easily be heard shouting instructions as she inspects the marching from a short distance away.
Fatima says it’s heartbreaking that they are not able to accommodate all the learners who had the desire to join.
“We only have 30 members after 127 signed up but had to be turned away because of a lack of uniforms,” she explains.
“We are a non-payment school and this makes it hard for us to raise funds for uniforms.
DRILLING MOM: Fatima Veldsman, 36
“We rely on second-hand uniforms and donations to sustain the drill squad who has been in existence for four years now.
“For the competition this Saturday, we borrowed some uniforms and other attire here and there just to make it possible for the kids to feel special in the
competition.”
If you would like to assist, call Fatima on 076 516 1726.