grandMA3 enhances cultural education at SAHETI School

MA Lighting International’s grandMA3 system has been selected to modernize the lighting infrastructure at SAHETI School’s drama department, marking a significant investment in state‑of‑the‑art performance technology for student learning. With the upgrade supplied and integrated by DWR Distribution, the grandMA3 system now serves as the foundation of the school’s renewed commitment to professional‑level production standards and hands‑on technical education.

Founded in 1974 under the leadership of Advocate George Bizos and a passionate group of founders, the school proudly celebrates 50 years of enlightened teaching and progressive education. As SAHETI continues to grow, school leadership recognized that its ageing lighting system was in need of a modern refresh.

The project was led by Georja Glyptis, the Head of Drama at the High School. “It’s great to be at a school that really cares about drama,” she says. “The arts are still a growing space, and it’s not always easy, but I had the full support of our board. They made it possible for us to bring these lights in.”

The transformation of the school hall has been dramatic. “We reshaped the whole space,” Georja explains. “We installed moving lights, added a grandMA3 console, and upgraded everything we needed. Our previous system was from when the hall was built—about 50 years ago—so it was definitely due for a facelift. We wanted an edge for our performances, and lighting was the way to do it.”

To get the project off the ground, Georja reached out to her former drama teacher, Barry Strydom, and soon connected with Kevin Stannett from DWR, who already knew Barry. DWR completed the full supply and installation in just three weeks in June 2025.

The upgrade includes a grandMA3 onPC command wing for control, along with a carefully selected range of fixtures comprising 3 ADJ Hydro Spot 2s, 2 Longman Phoenix Bar 300Bs, 9 Longman F6 LED Pars (25° lens), 24 Longman F6 LED Pars (45° lens). It also included new lighting bars, necessary rewiring, and safety clamps.

The impact has been immediate. “Even a simple assembly feels different now,” says Georja. “We can light the stage, the trophies sparkle, and the whole space shifts in ways you don’t expect. It even changes how students perceive our cultural programme—they realise, ‘Wow, the arts actually have proper lights!’”

Georja is now integrating the new equipment into her teaching. “I want the Grade 10 drama students to learn the system, operate the lights themselves, and eventually be assessed on it. They’ll be able to run their own productions, which is incredibly exciting.”

Nicola Palma, SAHETI’s Marketing Manager, says the investment aligns perfectly with the school’s ethos. Their motto, Know Thyself, drawn from ancient Greek philosophy, champions self-awareness as the key to unlocking human potential.

“Helping children discover who they are is central to everything we do,” says Nicola. “Our three pillars—sport, cultural, and academic—guide that work. Practical training in drama like this is essential for their growth. By including it in the curriculum, Georja is giving students hands-on experience and opening doors that they may never have considered. Stage lighting isn’t just for drama; it can be used across the school.”

The SAHETI team recently visited DWR Distribution for one-on-one training on the MA console with Jaques Pretorius and were excited to bring their new skills back to the students.

“Even basic lighting, like parcans, can completely change the feel of a room,” said Kevin Stannett from DWR. “It can turn an ordinary space into something special. But investing in a system as powerful as the grandMA3 really sets the school up for the long run. It gives them room to grow, experiment, and do so much more with their productions. SAHETI is a wonderful school, and everyone was great to work with. It truly was a pleasure being part of this upgrade.”