Five Years Rooted in Faith, Growing in Excellence

The Roots Gymnasium Awards Evening 2025 was more than a celebration of achievements—it was a moment of reflection, gratitude, and renewed vision. Parents, guardians, staff, and learners gathered to honour excellence while remembering the journey that brought us here.

From left to right: Operi Katjitundu, Ndando Tjivikua, Jandré Burger and Zasha Steenkamp. They received full sports colours for their performance at the U/16 Grant Khomo Week in 2025. -photo by Mariza Visser.

Our welcoming address, delivered by our HOD of Science and Technology, Mrs. Isabella de Beer, captured the heart of Roots Gymnasium: a school born in uncertain times, guided by faith, and committed to raising children who are grounded in values and prepared for the world beyond our gates.

Below is the welcoming address as delivered on the evening.

Welcoming Address: Roots Gymnasium Awards Evening 2025

Ses jaar gelede, het die hele wêreld tot stillstand gekom, letterlik. Covid 19 het ons gedwing om voorraadopname in ons lewens te maak. Dit het ons geleer om gesonder te leef, nader aan mekaar en God te leef, dankbaar te wees vir elke dag. Maar, daardie klein virus het ons ook kom beroof. Van ons mense, van ons gesondheid en van ons kinders se toegang tot skoolopvoeding. ‘n Handjievol kinders in ons land was gelukkig genoeg om aanlyn skool te gaan, maar die meerderheid van die kinders se skoolopvoeding, het tot ‘n volkome stillstand gekom. Vir twee volle akademiese jare, het kinders vergeet hoe om te leer. Vergeet om te lees of te tel of te skryf. Die omvang van daardie 2 jaar se stilte, sou eers later sigbaar word. Baie van die leerlinge in ons skool, was daardie slagoffers van Covid 19.

When Roots Gymnasium was founded, the idea was never to start with a high school. Under normal circumstances, high schools develop from their own primary school learners, growing older. A bold step was taken in the second year of our existence, to admit high school students, from vastly different backgrounds. And then, we were even more daring, to take on an International curriculum.

The moment before the soil began to carry the dreams and hopes of Roots Gymnasium. This is where our beautiful story took form.

We pride ourselves by saying out loud, that we strive to be the different school in Namibia. We firmly believe that the path we follow, was laid before us by God. I can keep you busy for a very long time, by telling you stories of miracles that happen on this campus, nearly every day. Almost all the staff at Roots Gymnasium, followed a call to teach here. To teach your precious children about God. About family values and morals. About respect and commitment. About themselves. We want to enable your child, to be part of the global village out there…to be a successful, well balanced adult in their own future. Not ours.

Die afgelope paar jaar was ons woestynpad by Roots Gimnasium. Maar, ons het daagkliks manna en kwartels uit die Hemel ontvang, die son het ons bedags nie gesteek nie en die maan ook nie snags nie. Ons 5 jarige skool is voortdurend gemeet aan skole wat alreeds dertig jaar en langer bestaan. Maar vanaand kan ek met ‘n baie oop gemoed vir julle verseker, dat alles wel is met Roots Gimnasium. Met ons sport, ons kultuur, ons akademie. Ons as onderwysers se harte bars van trots op ons kinders se uitslae. Ons fondasie fase en die laerskool leerlinge verbaas ons elke dag met hulle vindingrykheid en insig. Die hoërskool leerlinge se werksetiek wat amper oornag die hoogte ingeskiet het, die senior meisies wat hulle internasionale eksamen bloedneus geslaan het.

So, as we celebrate the achievements of our learners, we also want to pause and thank you. Behind every award presented this evening is encouragement given at home, sacrifices made quietly, and unwavering belief shown day after day. Your support, guidance, and partnership make a lasting difference in your children’s lives and in our school community.

We are grateful for the trust you place in us and for the role you play in nurturing not only academic success, but character, resilience, and confidence. These achievements belong to your children—but they also reflect your dedication and care.

It begins with you—the parents—who entrust us to help your children learn, grow, and step into the world with strong values and a foundation for the future.

Thank you for walking this journey with us, and for helping shape the young people we are so proud to celebrate.

In Jeremiah 29:11 our Heavenly Father tells us:

“For I know the plans I have for you” —this is the LORD’s declaration—“plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

Logos, Pathos, Ethos. Proudly.

Mrs. de Beer delivering her powerful opening message. -photo by Jaime Delport

To conclude, the Awards Evening reminded us that Roots Gymnasium is not defined by its age, but by its purpose. In a world still recovering from disruption, we remain committed to faith-based education, academic excellence, and nurturing children who know who they are and where they are going.

We celebrate our learners. We thank our parents. And we move forward—rooted in faith, reaching for the future.

Here are some of the awards we celebrated:

Academic Awards:

Certificate of excellence for the highest promotional average in each grade:

Grade 4- Malan Burger 84%

Grade 5- Anesca brand 82%

Grade 6- Mila Burger 92%

Grade 7- Michelle Visser 89%

Grade 8- Zander Visser 80%

Grade 10- Anja Blaauw 83%

Junior DUX Learner - Michelle Visser

Senior DUX Learner - Jorine Krügel

Sports Awards:

The 2025 U/13 Netball Team received certificates of merit for placing second place (silver medalists) at the Capricorn Super League.

A certificate of merit was awarded to Braidon Kukuri for his part in the Namibian U/17 Development soccer Team.

The U/19B Rugby Team of 2025 received certificates of merit for bringing home the gold as they won the U/19B NSSR Rugby Championship.

Lhana Simon was awarded a certificate of excellence after she was named the Top School Cyclist in Namibia for 2025.

Altus Wiesner, Jurgens de Lange and Friedrich Simon received certificates of excellence after they represented Namibia at the South African National Wrestling Championships.

Zasha Steenkamp, Operi Katjitundu, Keanan Abraham, Keithen Humphries, Joshua Isaacs, Dandré du Plessis, Mila Burger and Miheshco Mouton took home certificates of merit for their outstanding achievements at the National Athletics Championships in 2025. Miheshco also received sport full colours for his remarkable achievement in National Athletics.

Sport full colours were awarded to Jorine Krügel for achieving first place overall, and Duan Kruger, for achieving third place overall, in the National Senior Girls Division in Archery in Namibia.

In Angling, the Loubser siblings both received awards: S-Wee Loubser received a certificate of merit for the

Junior National Development Angling Team and Lee-Ancka Loubser for her participation in National Angling.

The Rossouw siblings, Arno and Dirk, received certificates of merit for Endurance Horse Riding.

The Junior Sportsman award for 2025 goes to Omar van Wyk, with Mila Burger taking home the Junior Sportswoman award.

Last, but not least, congratulations to Operi Katjitundu and Jorine Krügel, for being 2025's Senior Sportsman- and woman.

View the full photo album here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/Maar8pSHgxMwVrDF9