The Herald of Hope is a newspaper which, unlike a normal newspaper, focuses on the positives of South Africa. It was initiated by our headmistress, Mrs. Masterson, and put into action by the Grade 7’s of 2000.

With the help of teachers we wrote, rewrote, edited, and pasted articles covering a wide range of topics. Nursery, Pre-school and Grades 1-7 contributed information and feelings, helping us to put together a paper devoted entirely to the love we have for our country.

We then categorized the articles into five different themes. “Outreach”, for community work, the understanding of what Hope really means and  for showing care for those we take for granted. “Appreciation of South Africa” is for the beauty we sometimes do not see in the little things only South Africa has and for the love we have for those things.

“Celebrating our Culture and Diversity” shows how  to celebrate differences in religion, talents and lifestyle, since this country is fast becoming the “One nation, Many cultures” it has been named. “Beacons of Hope” showed instances in which a positive act gives inspiration to us to make a difference in our country. The last theme was “Environment”. Here we put articles which told us about what we had done to help improve the environment and to make people aware of what they can do to help as well.

Doing this project stirred up many feelings and really made us think about what Hope means to us.We were made aware of Hope and given hands-on experience on how to share that Hope with others.

We have always known we could make a difference but how big a difference was not a question. By celebrating instead of shunning diversity we can make a difference. It is in the hands of our generation to change the way we look at South Africa and to put aside the past.

With this attitude we CAN make a difference. We can become the type of nation the world admires for determination and culture. I would like to conclude by thanking Emma During and Rucita Vassen for their input and help with the construction of the editorial. I could not have done it without you.

Tamlyn Roman
Editor-in-chief

We asked them for the following information:

Tell us about your family.
Willem:  Two children, a twelve year old girl and an eight year old boy and he’s been married for fifteen
years.
Patience:  Two daughters, five and seventeen years old, and her unmarried aunt and cousin live with her.
Hilda:  Three daughters, thirteen, fifteen and twenty years old. She also has a grandson who is one year old.
 

How do you feel when you get your Christmas hamper?
Willem:  Very nice
Patience:  Very happy
Hilda:  Very excited

How long does the hamper last?
Willem:  3 Months and I give some away.
Patience:  2 Months and Mrs Hamilton-Smith takes me to the taxi rank.
Hilda:  3 Months and I take the train to get the hamper home.

Now you know about our behind the scenes heroes.
Robyn and Nicola (Grade 7)

Sure, South Africa still faces many problems today, such as violent crime, corruption and high unemployment. And some people may complain that the situation is deteriorating and is worse than it was in the past. But comparing the present with a biased memory of the past is the wrong comparison. One needs to compare the present with the alternative that could have been.

Our memories are so short, we so quickly forget the scenarios that were being predicted ten to twenty years ago. Do yourself a favour and go and find some of those old books on South Africa that I’m sure many of us still have collecting dust somewhere, and remind yourself of what could have been.

This may help you to see the present in a different light.

Gary Palser
CHAIRPERSON BOARD OF TRUSTEES