Ridwan Samodien, principal
Kannemeyer Primary first opened its doors in January 1961, 55 years ago. It was the second school, and the first public one, to be opened in Grassy Park.
The first acting principal was Mr EA Janari, who, incidentally, had a school named after him in Bonteheuwel. He was followed by Mr Burton in the second term; Frank Goliath, who became principal of Perivale Primary later in his career, in the third term; and finally the first permanently appointed principal, Albert Kannemeyer. He managed to rename Park Primary, as it was called then, after his family name, and hence today we are known as Kannemeyer Primary.
KPS as we fondly call our beloved school, aspires to be the “school of choice” in Grassy Park and surrounding areas, and over the years, has taken great strides to deliver on its mission. We aspire to become a world-class educational institution, driven by our philosophy that, “Teaching is a work of heart”.
The school has been blessed with many talented, hardworking and passionate teachers producing wonderful students and achieving great things over the years. Mr Kannemeyer, was followed by Edward Carels as principal. He, in turn, by Ebrahim Allie, Edmund Davids, current principal Ridwan Samodien, and during his tenure two acting principals in Adrian Lotter and Arnola Ross.
A significant achievement is the International Green Flag that the school achieved from its partnership with the Wildlife and Environmental Society of South Africa (WESSA), achieving its green flag from 2005 to 2009. This year we achieved our first Platinum Award. And the school is driven by providing a holistic education, steeped in the Warldorf tradition of schooling. Our extra-mural programme together with our drama classes, chess and Mod Centre enable us to aspire to achieving this.
We have many noteworthy citizens that have risen from our ranks. To name two current e.tv parliamentary correspondent, Lester Kiwit is our former head boy. Pastor Wayne Meyer of the His People’s Church in Retreat Road is both a former learner and teacher of our beloved KPS.