Cool school rises in Ntambanana

THE news that Mgezeni High School in Ntambanana was to receive bigger and better buildings, has been welcomed with mixed feelings by the school Principal, Thami Mchunu.

Mchunu says moving into the state-of-the-art buildings could have a negative effect on the school’s relations with the poor community of Ntambanana.

‘Currently we are a no-fee school as we cater for the most impoverished in the community. Most parents who send their kids here are unemployed and depend on the government’s social grants for survival.

‘A new school will change all that. Once the school is completed, our same poor communities will face financial pressures as maintaining these buildings will not come cheap,’ he said.

According to Mchunu, the new school is being built by the KZN Department of Education, and the construction began in March this year with the first phase expected to be completed in February.

‘Of course we are delighted to get a new school which will have a hospitality center, two computer laboratories, science laboratories, media center, admin block, as well as a full complement of sports facilities. All that make up Phase 1. Phase 2 will see the addition of boarding facilities.

‘The school will now be known as Mgezeni Technical High School, and is the first rural school of its kind to be built in the uThungulu District,’ said Mchunu.

The school was established in 1977 by the community of Mandlazini, after their move from Richards Bay to Ntambanana and was known as Mandlazini Intermediate School, starting from Grade 1 to Grade 8.

To cater for those pupils who could not reach matric, a new school was built in 1993 and was named after Mgezeni Mthiyane, one of the forefathers of iNkosi Mchazeni Mthiyane of the Mambuka Traditional Authority.

The school registered its first matric class in 1994.

‘When I arrived at this school in 2002, the matric pass rate was very low. We were a laughing stock in the community of Ntambanana,’ said Mchunu.

‘I still remember that on my first day I was supposed to be introduced at the morning assembly, but my introduction was delayed to accommodate all the latecomers who would arrive at about 10h00. There was no discipline at all, but I’m happy that all that has changed.

Matric performance

‘Mgezeni’s matric performance was known to be below 48% every year, but now the graph has changed. We steadily improved and over the past three we averaged between 96-98%.

‘All that indicate one thing, that we are moving up in the right direction.’

Mchunu said apart from academic achievements, the school has also produced national sports stars such as the Sangweni brothers, Siyabonga and Thamsanqa, who are playing for Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns respectively.

Mchunu said he could not take all the credit for the turning Mgezeni around, but his school management team, comprising two deputy principals, 51 teachers, who are looking after 1339 learners, and a vibrant school governing body.