Chronicle Editor
Amanda Mlevu, Sunday News Reporter
MATABELELAND South’s Gwanda High school landed triple landmarks last Wednesday as it celebrated its 50th birthday, commissioned a perimeter wall and awarded pupils for excelling in various disciplines.
Parents, alumni, guardians, educators, pupils and invited guests all gathered to celebrate the school’s existence since it opened its doors on 25 January 1973.
ZB Bank general manager, Mr Christian Ruwuyu, who was the guest of honour, said it was a great honour to witness Gwanda High, “Honouring the Glorious Past, Celebrating the Golden Present and Envisioning the Promising Future”.
“After half-a-century, Gwanda High remains committed to the education of all-round, unique and reflective individuals with global perspective and the zeal to strive for excellence,” said Mr Ruwuyu.
He said the school is exemplary in many ways and has every reason to look back on its 50 years with pride and satisfaction.
“Teachers and parents are proud of them (learners) not only because of their excellent academic results, but also because of their talents in arts and sports. The school choir will not forget the times on state occasions, athletics and handball teams will also remember having competed in the highest division schools and won numerous awards,” said Mr Ruwuyu.
The school’s enrolment stands at 1 320, making it one of the largest secondary schools in Matabeleland South Province. Gwanda High School headmaster Mr Authur Maphosa said it is indeed 50 years of excellence as the school has produced citizens of repute.
“People who came from our school include businessman Justice Maphosa, football legend Mkhuphali Masuku who went on to play for Amazulu and coached Caps United, the likes of Franco Marange of martial arts fame, all these are legends who came from these gates and that is part of the reason we are celebrating today,” said Mr Maphosa.
Pupils entertained the crowd by showcasing the various activities they excelled in. They danced to modern and traditional music played by the school’s marimba group. In addition to academic subjects, the school offers basketball, netball, soccer, boxing, tennis, darts, chess and cricket.
Siphilisiwe Ndlovu, one of the learners at the school, is an award winning poet who recently won a prize for Best Essay Writing at the recently held Ndebele Literature Festival. Ndlovu said she wants to encourage other pupils to love their native languages.
“I love literature, especially Ndebele and I am very proud of my culture and roots. Nowadays you are said to be intelligent if you speak in English and not in our native languages. That is why I hope to encourage people to go back and re-visit our culture,” she said.
The school also holds outstanding sports records. Polite Moyo is a gold medallist and competed in the Malawi Region Five Foot games last year.
“In April this year, I also competed in Zambia at the Championship African Athletics. Even though I did not win, I have medals that I got after competing around the country,” said Moyo.
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