VPHS
Mrs Annamarie Jansen
van Vuuren
10 Years
toria Park High in the newspaper and felt that he
would like to work here. While at a job interview at
a local garage, he had heard from a friend that there
was some temporary painting work to be done at
VP. It was while waiting to be paid for this, that he
met Mr Roos who was looking for someone to clean
the buses. After convincing him that they were safe
in his hands, he was given the keys, a temporary
job, and has never looked back.
Mr Jafta’s post was made permanent in May 2004
and he rapidly became an institution at Victoria
Park. With his work ethic and initiative he is always approachable and prepared to go the extra
mile. His boss, Mr Milne, says that he is ‘one of the
most helpful and conscientious people I have had
the pleasure of working with”. Sebachian shows a
great deal of initiative and is always conscientiously
thinking ahead and planning effectively.
Mr Jafta is employed as a general assistant and
among his tasks are the removal of furniture and the
laying out of the halls for functions, and his initiative and enthusiasm often find him performing a
highly efficient managerial role.
Mr Jafta has been involved with music and the
church his whole life and is currently involved with
the Ebenezer Society Methodist Church in Zwide,
where he is a lay preacher and an enthusiastic member of the choir.
He says he enjoys working at an educational institution and believes that VP has given him considerable opportunities for growth and he enjoys seeing
the pupils educated and empowered.
Mrs Jansen van Vuuren with her late husband and
youngest son
Mr Jafta has a large family consisting of his wife,
Vuyiswa, and five children - three of his own and
two step-children. When his home burnt down in
2006, the VP community leapt into action and a pupil, Lucy Barnard, organised roof sheeting and furniture through her father. This particularly touched
Mr Jafta who feels that this generosity typifies the
warm Victoria Park approach.
Mrs Jansen van Vuuren, or “Mrs Van”as she is affectionately known, spent much of her life making
a comfortable and loving home for her family of
husband, three sons and a daughter. However, when
her husband passed away in 2002, she took over his
position as geneal assistant at Victoria Park High
School.
Mr Jafta has continued study ing and is currently
studying for a qualification in theology through Extension College.
Her gentle and humble manner masks a strong personality, as she is a woman of principle and is not
afraid to stand up for what she believes is right. Her
children were brought up strictly with strong discipline and values.
On a personal note, I have always found Mr Jafta
incredibly helpful, organised , and on the one or two
occasions where he has had to assist in dealing with
a pupil, both wise and compassionate.
Mrs Van is very attached to her family and to the
family of her late husband, whom she visits regularly to maintain family ties. She enjoys working at
the school, and will do anything she is asked to do
Mr Robert Welsh
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