Swellendam, Western Cape – Coca-Cola Peninsula Beverages (CCPB), in partnership with the Rotary Club of Swellendam and the Rotary Club of Newlands, today celebrated the official launch of the Swellendam Rotary School in the Rondomskrik community In Railton.
The new Early Childhood Development (ECD) centre was made possible through close collaboration between local community groups, civic partners and business funders. It provides a safe, nurturing space for early learning, play and community support for young children in the area.
Designed with the needs of local families in mind, the facility includes purpose-built classrooms, outdoor play areas, and a food garden – all supporting early literacy, nutrition, and holistic child development for more than 150 children. CCPB partnered with the Rotary Clubs as co-funders, contributing both financial support and practical resources to help bring the project from concept to completion.
“Investing in early childhood education is an investment in our communities’ future,” said Priscilla Urquhart, Head of Public Affairs, Communication and Sustainability at Coca-Cola Peninsula Beverages. “We are proud to stand alongside the Rotary Clubs and local partners to deliver a facility that gives children the best possible start while strengthening family resilience. This project reflects CCPB’s long-term commitment to community upliftment in the areas we operate in, across the Western and Northern Cape.”
The opening ceremony, held in the school’s play area and hall, welcomed guests from across the Swellendam community and Cape Town. CCPB provided refreshments for attendees, while Swellendam SuperSpar supported catering for the day. Guests enjoyed performances by a local children’s marimba band and the Twilight Children’s Dance Group before touring the classrooms, playgrounds, and food garden.
The Rotary Club of Swellendam Is hugely grateful for the amazing support received from CCPB, Stonehage Fleming Charitable Foundation, a generous family trust and all our donors and partners which will enable us to provide early learning for 150 children In this area, as well as aftercare for primary school children In the afternoons and adult literacy classes In the evenings. Without our partners we could never have created this multi-functional facility for our community. We are dedicated to creating hope for the future of the children within our community by helping them to prepare for primary school so that they can thrive and achieve their dreams and goals.
John Winship of Rotary Club of Newlands says “These important and worthy projects are valuable to the communities that desperately need the opportunity to educate and uplift children and provide a safe space for learners. Without the collaboration of the Rotary Clubs, funders, local suppliers and administrators and the goodwill of the community this project could not have happened.” The ECD has the on-going commitment of the local Rotary Club to ensure many years of education for the children of Railton.
The investment in the Swellendam Rotary School forms part of CCPB’s broader community investment strategy, which focuses on education, youth development, and environmental initiatives. The company’s partnerships with organisations such as SANCCOB and Marine Coastal Conservation have supported coastal clean-ups and wildlife protection programmes, reinforcing CCPB’s commitment to the wellbeing of local communities and the natural environment that sustains them.
