for those who do not know, Naledi High School is at center of what became the 1976 youth uprising. young people went out to peacefully protest the imposition of Bantu education which sought to ensure that the black child would remain in positions of servitude. the minister of education thought the education of the black child was to make them better servants. the story is entirely more complicated than i am presenting it here, what is important is that this school which is now classifies an under performing school was at the center of the struggle of black children and the black community for education and the recognition that poverty could only be broken once people could be well educated.
Naledi High seemed the perfrct place to start in reembuing the black child with the value of education to free all kinds of poverty which is killing the soul of our people. Naledi was once called the Star of the West 9naledi is the Sotho word wof Star) and we are happy to say that we are slowly but i have faith it will happen giving light back to this star which needs to be reminded how great it can be,
if i could write these on the soul of the world i would because the pride we feel can has no measure. i want to share these first sparks; this is the first groups of matric students who came through our programme. these are the brave ones who went against the tide of mediocrity and dared to dream they could do better. i love these children and share them with you with an open and over flowing spirit. these are the rising stars:
Naledi high School: class of 2011
H. Higher certificate. (8)
Thungo Melusi
Mkonza Thapelo
boikanyo ban
Dalisile Thabile
Deliwe Thembisile
Hlatshwayo Sydney
Lebenya Kanetso
Mahlumba Abraham
D. Admission for diploma (10)
Moloi Neo
Ngema Innocentia
Assegai Thabiso
Dlomo Nonkululeko
Khomo Refilwe
Maeyane Lerato
Loeto Moshe
Magwaza Siphiwe
Makgotlho Sina
Lebona Seipati
B= admission of bachelor degree (9)
Nhlapo Nkanyezi
Ntombela Olwethu
Segoto Tshegofatso
Shabalala Ayanda
Edward Lucia
Mbathile Sibusiso
mangoetse Thato
Mmabaso Dumisani
Majela Mamosala
Miyela, Halala Miyela. you are certainly restoring faith in ourselves as you retore the very soul of our being, our children and youth. In giving them back their lives, you are slowly giving us back our power as a nation.
i have watched with amazement and sometimes with disbelief as you took on child at a time and helped them see themselves as worthy human beings, as intelligent pupils with leadership potential. i am thrilled by your results please keep it up.
Your strength is your ability to take that ‘spare’ ‘wasted’ capacity as representated in unemployed graduates and turn it into real capacity that meets the immediate needs in our schools. more importantly however your strength is the ability to see the ‘new world’.
i wish you well. Do not lose heart when things are sometimes hard. You are helping our kids to learn to swim against the current. Let me assure you that this curtrent is very strong and is intent on ‘rubbishing’ every poor often black young person. As President Mandela said ‘it is in your hands’.
Ntombikay’se
Big up Miyela!