Thursday 13 November was a significant day for Langebaan Primary School with the official launch of its Home Economics class for extramural activities.
This initiative was born from a talk given to Team Langebaan Neighbourhood Watch (TLNW) by chairman of the Langebaan Community Policing Forum (CPF) Pieter Lindenberg.
Lindenberg said Langebaan is a unique town; not only is it a place where people retire but also a tourism hub. The concern, however, is that youngsters leave the town after primary school as there is no government high school in town and private schools are not affordable to all.
Lindenberg was looking for opportunities especially for primary school kids that will ensure that the kids of today stay invested in the future of the town.
“The people who retired in Langebaan have a lot of knowledge,” he pointed out, the Langebaan Vrouelandbouvereniging (VLV), in particular, springing to mind. “I wanted to identify sustainable projects where the community can take hands and the knowledge and skills available in our town can be taught to youngsters.
Langebaan VLV is the largest VLV on the West Coast with over 100 members.
“These ladies have an enormous amount of skill sets like cooking, sewing, arts and crafts, entrepreneurial skills youngsters need to learn, set to make entrepreneurs of them and make them stay in our town.”
He made contact with Langebaan VLV chairperson Sonya Seabrook Uys, who immediately agreed to get involved.
“Our overarching theme for 2025 and 2026 is ‘Our strength lies in working together’, and when Pieter shared his vision about a home economics class for Langebaan Primary, I was very excited for the VLV to get involved as not only is it a project that we are good at but it links directly to the theme of working together to make the community stronger.
With the help of local businesses, residents, CPF, TLNW and VLV, an existing classroom was converted to the home economics class.
Miranda Matthews, secretary of Langebaan CPF and coordinator for the home economics class project, said that the support from the community to get the class ready with all the equipment needed, was heartfelt.
She had to ensure that the class is equipped with all that is needed. A five burner gas stove, fridge, cupboards, kitchen utensils and various baking equipment.
Matthews is also responsible for getting all the ingredients ready every week.
“I reached out to local retailers who has agreed to sponsoring the ingredients needed for baking or cooking.”
She was praised for her commitment to coordinating the project.
“Miranda has been my right hand at the CPF for the past 14 years and has been exceptional as the coordinator for the project,” Lindenberg said.
The home-economics class is given every Wednesday from 14:00 to 16:00 and the first group of 20 learners is doing great, said Shaleen Kordom, teacher at Langebaan primary.
Elmarie Dippenaar, member of VLV Langebaan and retired Home Economics teacher, has been identified as the ideal person to train the children.
“The kids are very keen to learn. I don’t just teach them how to cook or bake but also how to do the costing, packaging and pricing and how to sell what they made.”
She added that the learners had already made tomato chillie jam and packaged it, ready to be sold and had made sausage rolls to be enjoyed by guests at the launch.
Christopher Rogers, acting principal of Langebaan Primary, shared his appreciation of all the stakeholders involved in making this project a reality.
“Let’s teach young people the skills they need to become entrepreneurs. Our future depends on what we teach our children today and we are very grateful towards the community of Langebaan who is taking hands with us in making this possible.”
The guests enjoyed the taste of the home-made tomato chillie jam and appreciated the spirit of ubuntu, dedication and hope for a bright future hanging in the air.
