The Eastern Cape Department of Education working with the South African National Defense Force, South African Police Services and the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality held the 8th Edition Marching and Drilling Competition at the Gelvandale Stadium in eGqeberha.

The purpose of the event was to encourage young people to take up interest in different activities and programmes that will keep them busy and away from things that could be detrimental to their future.

20 Schools from the Eastern Cape Province and 1 from the Western Cape Province participated in the competition.

Giving the background of the collaboration with the Education Department was the Go Big Community Development Project Coordinator Zee Agherdien, he said; “Our partnership with DOE started in 2012 when we first piloted the first marching drill program and competition. Since then, the department has been one of our core partners which supports our organization and program. Through the support of the DOE, our organization continues to reach more schools in need of this program."

We would like to thank the department and our coordinators for walking this journey throughout the years. Every year we see this competition growing from strength to strength due to the close partnerships we have with ECDoE, SAPS, SANDF, Metro Police and the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.

Speaking on behalf of the Department was the ECDoE Schools Safety Provincial Coordinator, Makaya Dlanga, He said;  "The School Safety Unit is a necessity to be part of the programme because of its main objective to promote, instill discipline and pride in uniform amongst school going youth. With behavioral problems being a huge challenge in our schools."

Our collaboration with these stakeholders has managed to make huge strides in changing the discipline and behavior of learners through the marching drill program. The department could play a pivotal role in assisting our organization to mobilize the program and reach more districts who are asking for this program to be in their schools, added Dlanga.

"Coming from a dangerous community has forced me to join the Marching Drill group," said Ndzondelela Senior Secondary School Grade 12 Learner, Imile Gaca. So I joined the programme because of the discipline and for the aim of making a difference in our community, added Imile.

Also commented on this was a Grade 6 female Learner from the Charles Dune Secondary School, Mbalentle Qona, she said "Marching Drill has kept me occupied instead of spending time doing things which might affect my future, therefore I would encourage young people from our schools to join the groups instead of finding themselves been on the bad side of the law."