Two decades after the first graduating class of Westbank High School left the school walls, former students gathered again to celebrate the friendship, memories, and opportunities that shaped their lives. For the school's founder, Christo van der Reyde, this reunion also serves as a reminder of the role the school can play in transforming the local community.
The event was organized by members of the Class of 2006, who brought together former students to reflect on their life paths after leaving the institution.
Van der Reyde, who previously served as principal and CEO of Agri SA, admitted that he was initially dissatisfied with the establishment of Westbank High School in 2005. He questioned why RDP-style housing was still being built in the new democracy instead of creating complete communities.
He recalled his concern over the construction of RDP houses amid the new democracy and decided to focus on providing quality education in the area. Van der Reyde also spoke about the difficulties the school faced in its early years, including infiltration attempts by criminals and issues related to child abuse in the area.
He remembered how one Saturday morning they came to the school to plant trees and found people consuming alcohol and marijuana around the school, which gave him the feeling that such a community could never survive.
Van der Reyde emphasized that the initial goal was to create an educational institution capable of changing the circumstances around Westbank. As students and staff engaged in planting trees and beautifying the grounds, the surrounding community's attitude toward the school began to change.
He noted that people started realizing the need to respect the school, as it was meant to build a better future for the children. The achievements of the alumni demonstrated the school's potential even in communities facing serious socio-economic challenges.
According to Van der Reyde, if the school fulfills its main task—providing the best education to children—the situation will begin to improve. He cited examples of young people who have achieved success and stable careers today, showing the difference the school can make in an area rife with crime, low socio-economic status, and lack of proper law enforcement. He added that if the school and the church remain beacons of hope, the result is driven young people, and he reported this to IOL.
Ayabulela Pinzi, who now works at the Cape Town City Council and organized the meeting, stated that this gathering provided an opportunity to celebrate the shared history of the alumni and acknowledge how far they have come. He called the reunion an 'extraordinary privilege' for the West Bank High School family.
Pinzi clarified that the meeting was not just an anniversary but a chance to remember deceased classmates, thank teachers for their contribution, and reconnect with old friends. He described it as a celebration of life, resilience, friendship, and gratitude.
He noted that the alumni chose different life paths: some became parents, professionals, leaders, and entrepreneurs, while others overcame personal difficulties. Pinzi concluded that the greatest achievement is the ability to find each other twenty years later while maintaining the spirit of unity given to them by West Bank.
Melissa Daniels-Hendriks, a former top student who now works in the financial department of Pepkor, shared that the school shaped her and gave her a solid foundation, noting how pleasant it was to see people she hadn't seen in a long time.
