SHA visit to Elim

Good morning heritage friend,At the time of sending our iintial invitation, we were still uncertain whether a Blue Heritage Plaque, which was nominated by the Swellendam Heritage Association for the Elim Mor School  would be available for presentation at our outing on the 12th of Feb or not.I am happy to say it has arrived and we will thus be in a position to make a formal presentation to the school during our visit.
 This is all the more reason we would like you to attend the outing if at all possible.What the dickens (or words to that effect - I hear you say) is a Blue Heritage Plaque ????Well, here's FAQ answerIt was a project run under the auspices of the now defunct Simon Van Der Stel Society but now functions under its own name of awarding schools with a commemorative blue plaque, which have complied with certain criteria.
These are:
1. The age of the school (has to be over 125 years old to qualify);
2. An architecturally significant building (e.g. well-known architect; building style; etc);The school’s outstanding contribution to  society (e.g. oldest township school; first ‘coloured’ high school; first Afrikaans school in Cape Town; oldest independent school; etc);
3. The school’s survival under difficult circumstances (e.g. the SouthAfrican War; Forced Removals; role in the Struggle for     Democracy; natural disasters; etc)
4. Past learners or educators who have distinguished themselves (must no longer be living), and5. Schools that have been closed and are lost, but nevertheless played a significant role in education. Every application is considered on merit by a panel of adjudicators representing the Foundation and the Centre for Conservation. Schools must meet at least one of 6 criteria. We hope this achievement by a school which ticked the boxes on several levels, including age, will inspire you to join us on this outing. 

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