NET VIR PRET - EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

HISTORY

In 2006, Net vir Pret was officially established as an NGO with the installation of its board. With the support of volunteers and partner organisations Education for Democracy in South Africa (EDSA) and Stichting Projecten Zuid-Afrika, Peter was offered a full-time position as director, and, with Ann’s assistance, the first after-school activities were launched.

Since then, Net vir Pret has experienced significant growth, expanding its programs and engaging an increasing number of children and youth. Additional funding from new donors enabled the organisation to employ passionate staff members in critical roles.

Initially operating out of a classroom at BF Oosthuizen Primary School, Net vir Pret achieved a milestone in 2009 by purchasing a township house, thanks to a legacy from EDSA trustee Pamela Bankart. In the same year, the Jephcott Trust funded the purchase of a canopied bakkie, which is now essential for outreach to local farm schools.

Also in 2009, the Swellendam Municipality granted Net vir Pret a 10-year lease on a farmhouse near the entrance to the Barrydale Trail, part of a World Wilderness Heritage site. The farmhouse, which accommodates up to 20 people, is used for live-in workshops and programs, enriching the learning experiences of the children and youth.

That same year marked the start of a 7-year partnership with the renowned Handspring Trust for Puppetry Arts, which aimed to develop puppetry skills in Barrydale. This collaboration led to the creation of an annual parade held on the Day of Reconciliation, becoming a cherished community tradition.

Driven by a vision for growth, Net vir Pret began fundraising for a double-storey building extension. A significant contribution came from South African-born author Zoë Wicomb, who donated a substantial portion of her Windham-Campbell Literature Prize to the project. Construction began, and within six months, with 80% of the funding coming from private individuals, the project was completed. The extension, dedicated to Nelson Mandela’s memory and legacy, was officially opened during Zoë’s visit in February 2015. This additional space has allowed for the expansion of existing programs and the introduction of new ones.

In 2014, Net vir Pret welcomed its first group of interns, admitting seven for the year. Since 2015, five interns have been taken on annually, bringing fresh perspectives and energy to the organisation’s work.

Over the years, Net vir Pret has flourished, but its success would not have been possible without the unwavering support of its donors. While regular funding remains essential to sustain activities and cover salaries, Peter’s vision has long since become a reality, benefiting hundreds of children through his inspirational leadership over the past decade.

ABOUT

Net vir Pret is a registered Non-Profit Organisation (NPO 055 086) and Public Benefit Organisation (PBO 930049465), supported by a diverse range of partners, including Oxford-based Education for Democracy in South Africa (EDSA), the Dutch Stichting Projecten Zuid-Afrika (SPZA), The ELMA Foundation, Rolf Stephan Nussbaum Foundation, The King Baudouin Foundation, the Department of Social Development, the National Lotteries Commission, Rand Merchant Bank, and various private donors.

The organisation is governed by an independent Board of Trustees and operates with a team of twelve full-time and part-time staff. Interns and Young Leaders also play a vital role in delivering programs and activities.

Net vir Pret focuses on working with children and youth from underprivileged communities in the Overberg region (Barrydale/Swellendam Municipal Area), including those living on farms. Our mission is to foster self-esteem, personal development, confidence, and a sense of responsibility among these young people.

Through our programs, we strive to break cycles of poverty, domestic violence, and substance abuse in families and communities. We believe that every child deserves a joyful and enriching childhood.

By offering after-school, weekend, and holiday activities, we aim to keep children and youth safe, engaged, and away from harmful environments. Our programs also provide opportunities for them to develop their unique talents and prepare for successful futures beyond school.

Since 2006 - Peter Takelo / Seo NGO

Years of experience in the community

Our Purpose

What We Stand For

Barrydale and its surrounding farms face challenges typical of our region:

isolation, unemployment, poverty, lack of parental support, alcohol and substance abuse, domestic violence, teenage pregnancy, limited opportunities for skill development, a scarcity of positive role models, and weak transitions from school to tertiary education.

These conditions place our children and youth at significant risk. Our primary mission is to run.

Programs that:

* Provide a safe environment,

* Uncover and nurture individual talents,

* Foster social skills,

* Encourage leadership within the community,

Promote academic excellence,and guide realistic career planning for the future.

Net vir Pret aims to achieve these objectives through after-school, weekend, and holiday programs designed for children and youth in Barrydale and the farms along Route 62. Each week, we engage with approximately 500 young people. Our activities include craft and pottery workshops, art classes, reading initiatives, sports programs, and educational opportunities. We also facilitate creative spaces that feature music and the traditional Riel dance, preserving and celebrating indigenous culture.

How It All Started

How it all started: Peter’s Dream

“To have a creative and safe space for children where they can enjoy themselves and develop to their full potential.” This was the dream of Peter Takelo many years ago.

Peter wants children to be children.

By offering after-school activities for children who have nothing to do, he wants to give them more joy in life and avoid the possibility that they turn to petty crime out of boredom.

Peter was working as a child development professional in Cape Town during the week, and on Saturdays had started a Blikkies Band in Barrydale, with small children making music on biscuit tins and oil cans.

On a cold day in April 2002 he met Ann Harries who shared his enthusiasm for working with children in after-school hours. They jointly decided to start an organisation to fulfill Peter’s dream and Net vir Pret – which means Just for Fun in Afrikaans – was born.