Anthony Meyer

When people say “please pray for our nation”, I say we should “pray for our families”.

It’s Anthony’s firm belief that if we repair broken families, we repair the nation. He’s headteacher at Woodlands in Heideveld and it’s clear that his eight hundred students have a love and respect for him. He’s been there for seven years and over the past few he’s been enthusing over the the school’s rebuilding project. Here’s a man whose optimism for the future is as bright as his choice of shirt. Love it as he does, his focus is on people more than buildings.

“Nothing gives me more pleasure” Anthony explains, “than when a student thanks me when they’ve completed their schooling here. And not simply for their education but for bringing some discipline into their lives.” Perhaps his major concern is Heideveld’s proliferation of single parents and absent fathers. This brings an extra burden on the school because as Anthony says, “Love should always come before curriculum. If a child does not experience love at home, that child will be disadvantaged educationally.”

We break from our discussion and he pulls from his desk drawer a plastic pouch filled with marijuwana attached to a smoking tube crudely made of tin. The pipe has a cleverly moulded tag attached so that the smell of the smoking drug has less chance of being detected on student’s fingers. At a cost of two Rand - about 16p in sterling - it’s a starter pack for children. “Parents will not accept that their children do drugs” says a frustrated Anthony, “they need to get real.” He is prepared to fight this curse every inch of the way, working with law enforcement and government to fight the battle.

You can’t escape Anthony’s delight that once the school’s formal lessons are completed each day, Goal50’s after-school activities kick-in. Tutoring, mentoring as well as a host of sporting and games activities. Art clubs, chess clubs, soccer, basketball, skipping, boxing. Using qualified coaches, the children do this in total safety and it fulfils every child’s right to access physical as well as intellectual education. He’s also excited about the new crèche facility (more like pre-school in the UK) that’s recently been opened by Goal50 in response to the requests of young mums using the charity’s feeding programme. 

“Township children will not be disadvantaged when they start at Woodlands, that has to be a good thing”, enthuses Anthony.

We walk the school perimeter to view the new school buildings under construction and we pass through an alley where a man and a woman, both off-their-heads on drugs, are sent on their way by the school head. And as they clumsily make their exit he sadly reflects on how this couple has a child at his school. Gangs frequently loiter around the entrance and exit gates offering drugs. Anthony is determined to make his school a safer place for all, even for gang members children. We’re on his side.

“Goal50 is doing excellent work, I am so grateful for their help. The school is working hard in the community. Fo me, working with law enforcement is the key. If we work together we are stronger. We share the same philosophy. This is not a distant hope but is wholly attainable.”

Let’s help get families back on track.