Schauderville’s ‘Sakkie’ Barendse being honoured for sporting contribution

For years, Isaac “Sakkie” Barendse dedicated his time and energy to uplifting the Schauderville community and surrounds through sports before his death in June last year.

Now, in partnership with the department of sport, recreation, arts and culture, the Ward 11 Sports and Recreation Forum has decided to honour his work in a bid to show his family that his legacy has not been forgotten.

The inaugural Isaac Barendse Memorial Youth Day celebration will take place on June 16 at Frank Joubert Primary School in Schauderville.

Barendse was involved in cricket, aerobics, soccer, indigenous games and rugby, among other things, and the senior citizens’ Golden Games.

Through his NPO, Youth in Motion, he offered leadership programmes and empowered young people.

He also served on the school governing bodies of the Frank Joubert, Adolph Schauder and De Vos Malan primary schools and David Livingstone High School.

Forum chair Shaun Fondling said it felt right to honour Barendse for his contribution to sports and recreation.

“He dedicated his life to the community and as the sports forum it is our responsibility to show his son, Jade, and his mother, Pauline, that Sakkie has not been forgotten.

“We are going to ensure that all those who give of themselves to the community are never forgotten.

“We never celebrate our own, not in life and not in death. We have to do better.”

Forum member Davidene Petersen said Barendse had been a humble, dedicated, and charitable man.

“It brings a smile to my face talking about him. We did not hesitate to come together to plan this celebration in his honour.”

Chrizelda Petersen, who worked with Barendse for a long time, described the two of them as “firelighters”.

“He was a coach, mentor, and partner. The two of us started teaching Tae Bo in Schauderville and we went from strength to strength.

“He planted a seed in everyone and I did not hesitate to get involved in the planning of the youth day celebration in his honour.

“We have to ensure that the seed grows for the next generation.

“It cannot go to waste. “We want to get the whole community involved because a healthy community is a happy community.”

Forum member Megan Prince said the celebrations would start with a march at 7.30am at the Elizabeth Stuurman Old Age Home in Highfield Road.