Cape Town: The final event for the Law Enforcement School Resource Officers cadet programme 2024 was held in Kraaifontein, last week, where nearly 600 learners from 23 marching bands competed with each other.
The learners marched to their own band at the Law Enforcement event. The Voorbrug Hindle Cadets were the first marching band, that were established in the year 2018, with the purpose of providing a positive outlet for learners.
Since then, the School Resource Officers Unit has established a total of 19 teams. The unit consists of four schools namely – JS Klopper Primary, Downeville Primary, Eindhoven Primary and Delft High. All these schools began their own marching bands and joined the cadet programme, by taking the overall number of teams to 23.
Notably, the teams practice twice a week and more frequently in the lead up to competitions. The competitions are organised and managed by the SRO Unit with the assistance of teachers, schools and other community organisations.
The competitions include various categories such as Best Dressed, Grand march Paas, Exhibition March, Best Drum major and most disciplined team. However, the teams who scored overall top honours in the grand finale of the weekend, were Delft Nortj Primary School and Voorburg High School.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Safety and Security of City of Cape Town – Alderman JP Smith said that the cadet programme made sense as an extra-mural activity because unlike many other activities or sporting codes, there is no limit to the number of participants, and everyone is actively involved.
Smith added that marching is inclusive and it instils discipline and confidence in the learners, which in turn has the potential to create a more harmonious school environment.
“We have already seen how the cadet programme has literally made learners step to a different beat and sent them down a path many did not believe was possible,” said JP Smith.
He expressed, “I want to commend our School Resource Officers and the schools and teachers and communities who have helped this initiative grow from one marching band to 23 in just eight years.”
Alderman Smith presented his desire and said that he hopes more schools will see the benefits and sign up to the cadet programme, or at least use the blueprint to help more learners march into the future.