Thembelihle
or “Good Hope” (a Hope that all shall be well)
Thembelihle Primary School is an independent, partly subsidized school that provides quality education to young children from disadvantaged backgrounds in the village of Howick in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa.
Most of our children come from an informal settlement in Howick known as Shiyabazali. The people from this community are largely unemployed and have moved from more rural areas in search of employment. Their living conditions are basic…. There is no running water, electricity or sewage. Many of our children are orphans whose parents are victims of AIDS and they now live with aged grandparents who survive on a small old age pension.
The governing body of the school makes an effort to find sponsorship for as many of these disadvantaged children as possible. Through the generous sponsorship of their school fees by members of the church and community, we are able to provide an education for children from a pre-primary level until they are ready to attend state funded high schools.
Structure of the school
Thembelihle Primary School consists of two campuses. The pre-primary school is located at the “Old Parsonage” at 8 Dicks Street, Howick. The primary school is housed at 90 Main Street in Howick. We currently provide education to 278 children, 116 in the pre-primary school and 158 children in the primary school.
The pre-primary campuses cater for boy and girl learners between the ages of 3- and 6. Through innovative learning programs, we provide a stimulating environment for physical, intellectual, social, emotional and spiritual development of the child.
The primary school encompasses a holistic school environment that through the Formative and Junior primary phase, aims to develop the learner academically, socially, physically, emotionally and spiritually. The needs and talents of each learner are taken into consideration. We currently offer schooling for Grades 1 – 4. In 2012 we will offer Grade 5 and in the years thereafter our vision is to develop a complete Senior Primary phase educating both pre-primary and primary school learners from Grade RRR to Grade 7 at an all-inclusive School.
Mission and Vision
To provide a quality education to under-resourced communities from the Howick area. We aim to equip learners for life through a Christian education that fosters innovation and excellence. We hope to nuture and promote the academic, spiritual, social and emotional growth of our children.
The School embodies a Methodist ethos and a set of values as a self-governing educational institution. Although the School has close links with the Methodist Church of Southern Africa, the School is inter-denominational and welcomes learners of all faiths and from all backgrounds.
Teachers
Carol Boniwell
I am the headmistress of Thembelihle School. I am a widow and have been in education for more than 40 years. I was married to a primary school Headmaster for 30 years. My grown up daughter is currently studying for an LLM in London. I live alone with my Jack Russell called Checha!
Joyce Ntuli
I am currently teaching the Grade 3 pupils at Thembelihle Primary School. I enjoy working with children. They are a gift from God as the bible tells us. They are always determined to do their best especially when they are happy. The children who I was teaching at Merit Christian School enjoy being at their new school and they are very proud of it!
Leanne Williams
I live with my husband in Currys Post. I am currently teaching 35 enthusiastic grade 4 pupils at Thembelihle School.
Sharom Sewraj
I have just started teaching Grade R at Thembelihle School. I hope to impart knowledge to learners that can make a beneficial difference in their lives.
Nicky (Samkeliso) Msebele
I am currently teaching 22 Grade 5 learners at the school. I am so happy to be part of the courteous family of Thembelihle School.
Rejoice Mncube
I live in Howick during the week but on weekends I go to my family at Elandskop – a rural area about 35km from Howick. I do not have a child of my own yet. I love children. I have been working at Thembelihle for 13 years now. I teach Grade RR. My dream is to start my own pre-school.
Amy Baxter
I am the Grade 2 teacher at Thembelihle. I have a B. Arts degree in Marketing, Management and English. In 2010 I completed my Post Graduate certificate in Education (Foundation phase). I have a very vibrant bunch of Grade twos. I thoroughly love teaching and hope to change the lives of many children.
Christine Wyngaard
My husband and I arrived in Hilton in January of this year. We are originally from Johannesburg and have been living in the Eastern Cape for the last four years. I joined Thembelihle Primary School in April to teach a very energetic Grade 1 class. This is my 6th year of teaching. I have a B. Arts degree with majors in Sociology and Psychology. At present I am studying for a Postgraduate degree in Education.
Cebesile Shabalala
I like children and I enjoy working with them. They respect me and I respect them too. I have always loved teaching and being a teacher has always been my dream. I am now doing my internship at Thembelihle school and am also studying through UNISA.
Busiswe Mpzanza
I live at Kwa Mevana in Howick. I am 30 years old and I have five children. I teach Grade RRR at Thembelihle pre-school. I am a Christian. I have studied for my Level 4 Early Childhood Development qualification. I hope I can continue studying.
Rosemary Lombard
I teach Grade RRR at Thembelihle pre-primary. The children I teach are only 3 years old. I studied at TREE College in Pietermaritzburg.
Nonhlanhla Khambule
I am married to Sydney Mbongiseni and have two children of my own. I have been teaching at Thembelihle for nine years. I was a cleaner before teaching. Helen Barge who was the old headmistress believed in me and helped me to study further. My oldest child, Wandile, is now is Grade 5 and he started his schooling at Thembelihle. My youngest, Luvuyu, has just started here at Thembelihle. When I was growing up my life was not easy as my mother was the only breadwinner for my 3 sisters, my brother and I. We are truly blessed to have her in our lives.
Board of Governors
- Dr. Janet Frohlich
- Rev. Adrian Roux
- Dr. Carolyn Hancock
- Mrs. Anne Ogg
- Mr. Grant Edkins
- Mr. John Tungay
- Mr. Graham Cameron
- Mr. Hugh Queener
- Mrs. Glenda Fowle