All support to the fund is welcome. You can support us in several ways. The most direct way is by making a donation to the fund. Our bank details are:
All support to the fund is welcome. You can support us in several ways. The most direct way is by making a donation to the fund. Our bank details are:
All support to the fund is welcome. You can support us in several ways. The most direct way is by making a donation to the fund. Our bank details are:
24 & 25 OCTOBER 2025
On the weekend of 24 & 25 October 2025, the community paid tribute to the victims of the Swellendam Bus disaster that took place fifty years ago on 25 October 1975. Furthermore, honor was also paid to the survivors who are still alive and those who have died since then.
On Friday morning at 08:00, the Swellendam Bursary Fund held a wreath-laying ceremony at the Bus Disaster Memorial sign in the Main Street. A short service was led by Pastor Henry Matthysen and then flowers were placed there.
At 14:00 Bontebok Primary School held a memorial service in the V.G. Church in Railton. On that occasion, Pastor Matthysen again brought a message and Messrs. Harry Zass (Chairman of the Bursary Fund), Jan Jansen (ex-Mayor) and Basil May (Family member of a victim) delivered short speeches. Afterward, the group moved to the school where a plaque was depicted by Ms. Scott. Baatjies (Principal) and Mr. Hartzenberg (Deputy Principal) of Bontebok Primary School was unveiled.
On Saturday morning, the Bursary Breakfast took place, during which the Bursary Fund's twentieth birthday was celebrated. More than 200 tickets were sold in advance. Several previous Bursary Fund board members made an effort to attend the function. The atmosphere was warm and it looked like a reunion of longtime friends.
Former & Current Fund Board Members Current Fund Board Members
The guest speaker, Dr Jacqueline Cupido, an ex-Swellendam resident and specialist orthodontist in Cape Town, delivered an inspiring speech. Her concise life story and the advice she shared with the audience clearly won the appreciation of everyone. Subsequently, several copies of the Bursary Fund's book, The Swellendam Bursary Fund's Amazing Story, were sold. The book is available at R150 a copy.
Every organization (Schools, etc.) and business that sponsored a business table, as well as every individual who purchased a ticket, is deeply thanked. The ex-scholarship holders who sent in their words of thanks helped the book get published. All in all, the Bursary Fund, as well as its supporters and collaborators, can look back with great pride on a particularly successful and inspiring weekend.
During the conviviality during which delicious food was enjoyed, a video was also released of the history of the Bursary Fund which also includes graduating students and where they are currently. The video is available on the website.
We would also like to thank everyone who contributed to the very successful Bursary Breakfast. Your contribution is greatly appreciated and we look forward to your continued support of the SWELLENDAM BURSARY FUND!!
VIDEO
