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 support received from CCPB, the Stonehage Fleming Charitable Foundation, a generous family trust and all donors and partners, which will enable the centre to provide early learning for 150 children in the area, as well as aftercare for primary school children in the afternoons and adult literacy classes in the evenings. Without these partners, the club notes, it would not have been possible to create this multifunctional facility for the community, or to help children prepare for primary school so that they can thrive and pursue their dreams and goals.

John Winship of Rotary Club of Newlands said, “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 ongoing commitment of the local Rotary Club to help 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.

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About Coca-Cola Peninsula Beverages

Coca-Cola Peninsula Beverages (CCPB) is the local bottler and distributor of The Coca-Cola Company in the Western and Northern Cape. Products and brands include Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta, Stoney, Appletiser, Powerade, Bonaqua, PowerPlay and Monster Energy, amongst others. CCPB has been operational for 85 years, having first opened for business in 1940. Its state-of-the-art bottling facility is based in Parow Industria, with six distribution centres and offices located around the CCPB region. For more information, visit www.peninsulabeverage.co.za and follow @CocaColaPenBev on social media to stay updated on company news.

About Rotary Club of Newlands

Amongst its various community activities, the Rotary Club of Newlands has a 20-year track record of identifying opportunities for sustainable, worthwhile social infrastructure projects in the Western Cape. More than 35 community build projects have been completed, with R85 million raised by community-minded corporates, trusts, foundations and individuals.

Swellendam Rotary Club

The Rotary Club of Swellendam has been serving the local community for six decades (the club was chartered in August 1965), driving projects that improve education, health and social development in the region. Guided by Rotary’s global vision of “service above self”, the club works closely with local organisations, schools and businesses, as well as international Rotary clubs and the Rotary Foundation, to create meaningful, sustainable impact. Its collaboration on the Railton ECD Centre reflects an ongoing commitment to uplifting children and families through education and community development.