Ahmed Timol Secondary School visits Maropeng

In an effort to afford students from previously disadvantaged backgrounds a chance to visit Maropeng, the organisation has set up a fund, the Cradle Education Trust, to fund school visits through the Maropeng Educational Programme (MEP).
The latest school and the first in 2010 to benefit from the scheme is Ahmed Timol Secondary School in Azaadville, Randfontein, near Johannesburg. The school is named after Ahmed Timol, an anti-apartheid activist and member of the South African Communist Party, who was one of many murdered at the notorious John Vorster Square police station in Johannesburg.

The 60 learners, all from Grade 11 and 12, visited Maropeng on April 22. The learners spent the day learning about the history and evolution of humans.

School teacher, Urmilla Sentoo, says her students were really excited about their visit to Maropeng.

“We had a lovely day. The learners couldn’t believe that they could go on a boat ride at a place like Maropeng. Even the educators couldn’t keep quiet about it, it was exciting.”

Sentoo says even though her school is based in a well-off neighbourhood, her learners come from disadvantaged backgrounds and wouldn’t normally afford a visit to Maropeng.

“Maropeng was stunning. I would like to thank the management for giving us the opportunity to visit the place,” Sentoo says.