WeeklySA_AdminALUMNI: Golden jubilee reunion invokes sweet-sad memories of absurdity of apartheid years of segregation
By Staff Reporter
This weekend Setotolwane High School Matric Class of 1974 celebrates a Golden Jubilee Reunion – with current health ministers in tow, and the bash to celebrate the moment taking place at the Meloding Guest House, Bela-Bela, Limpopo.
Both health minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi and his deputy, Dr Joe Phaahla, are products of the school.
Setotolwane is one of the oldest high schools in Limpopo, located in Newlands, Ga-Mashashane, outside Polokwane. It served as a high school and teacher training college.
Previously it was known as Diocesan College, built at the first years of the turn of the previous century.
Over the years, it gained a reputation of being one of the best schools in the country, churning out outstanding matric results despite the imposition of apartheid by the apartheid regime – a process of great absurdity that in 1953 gave black people a demeaning and inferior education system.
But despite these anomalies, Setotolwane achieved great success, catering for learners who were regarded as the “cream of the crop” mainly from Limpopo and the then Transvaal (now Gauteng).
There was a sprinkling of students from the North West and Mpumalanga who were admitted to the school on the understanding they were conversant with the Sepedi language.
Although the school catered for black learners, the teaching staff was drawn from black and white teachers, with white teachers in the majority.
Consistent with apartheid laws of the time, white teachers enjoyed full use of the “whites only” excellent facilities in the premises while black teachers were barred from using the same facilities. During tea breaks, white teachers would use staff room while their black colleagues would have their tea in the open, under the shade of trees.
“We still remember with fondness, our English teacher, Mr Cassidy, who in defiance, had his tea in his classroom and did not use the staff room nor socialise with the other white teachers,” recalls Professor Sheila Mokoboto-Zwane.
Mokoboto-Zwane adds: “What attracted white teachers to the school was that they were accorded free government transport, and for those who stayed on campus, they enjoyed free accommodation and attractive allowance, known as ‘tolerance allowance’ as a bait for teaching in black schools.”
She continues: “Without taking anything away from them, they were good teachers and did not show any racist tendencies towards the learners, save for enjoying the privileges of being White.
“Our maths teacher, Mr Cronje, and science teacher, Mr Bergh, were some of the best teachers we had. Their contribution speaks volumes, and our country owes them a debt of gratitude.
“Maths was taught in Afrikaans, and when we could not find a solution to a maths problem, Mr Cronje would pray: “Kom laat ons saam bid vir n oplossing (come let us pray for the solution of the problem). He was a born-again Christian.
“Our school did not excel in its academic output only; it held its own in inter-high school sports and debating competitions, as it did in athletics; dominated the 800m and 5000me track events, thanks to athletes such as Jacob Kgabi, among others.
“Many prizes were won in baseball, too. Among prominent figures who are alumni of this institution, include our current cabinet ministers, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi and Dr Joe Phaahla.
“Other luminaries from the class of 1974 included Professor Elias Ndobe, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon; Professor Charles Mampuru; Professor Sheila Mokoboto-Zwane; Dr Jackson Mphafudi; Dr Lelau Mohuba; Dr Selaelo Marishane; Mr Elias Phiyega; Mr Gustav Mahlare; Mr John Tladi, his wife, Evelyn; and many other South Africans who have made a mark in every sphere of life.”
