The drum majorettes of Hottentots-Holland High School secured third place in the high-school elite division of the 2025 South African Majorettes and Cheerleading Association (Samca) National Championships in Oudtshoorn for the third consecutive year.
A total of 51 HHH drummies competed in the competition alongside three other local teams at the national competition from Friday 4 to Saturday 12 July (“Helderberg en Grabouw trompoppies op pad na SA’s in Oudtshoorn“, DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette, 2 July).
“It’s fantastic to finish third again, especially considering 37 out of 51 girls are new and have never done drummies before,” says Karin Verster, who has coached the HHH drummies since 1981. “I was really nervous, but their achievement was the greatest gift ever.”
The team excelled across multiple categories, claiming first place in small group pom non-prop and securing podium finishes in baton, mace and flag events.
Both small and large drill squads placed third overall. Drill leader Faith van der Berg placed fourth in both small and large drills, while the small drill sub-leaders finished third and the large drill sub-leaders took fourth place.
“The standout performance was our large drill squad finishing third,” Verster explained. “These were all new learners who only started in January, but we practised very hard.”
During her 44 years of coaching, Verster has seen the sport evolve from “very militaristic to more creative formations, modern music, and even dance movements”.
“I firmly believe that participating in nationals shows the girls that they can achieve something in life if they have the ability to persevere, accept responsibility and work as a group.”
However, she notes that “the Helderberg has not yet fully embraced drummies as a sport”, though the team thrives on support from parents and the school. Verster hopes for increased community involvement at a high tea fundraiser at HHH on Saturday 4 October.
The team now sets its sights on next year’s competition in Gauteng, hoping to better their third-place finish.
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