The world-class school that is set to open its doors for pupils in Alexandra next year, held an intensive programme of engagement with prospective pupils with their parents.
Kgololo Academy co-founder, Waahida Tolbert-Mbatha, said the engagement went well and that she had one-on-one meetings with all the parents and pupils who had been accepted and enrolled at the school.
She said, “… We shared our vision and mission with them, and also answered all their questions, and at the same time allayed all their fears as well.”
She described the meetings as establishing relationships and getting to know one another. She also said they ensured that those parents of children who had already been accepted and enrolled in the school, became ambassadors of the school and help spread the word and recruit other prospective pupils.
“We have not shut the community of Alexandra out… those who are interested in the school can also come along and meet us,” Tolbert-Mbatha said.
“We have an open day scheduled for 16 August where we can share our vision and mission of the school, and also answer whatever questions the community might have.”
One of the many parents who attended the family meetings was Tebogo Nkwana of 14th Avenue who has registered his daughter, Neo Leso, for Grade R. She will be in class with Tolbert-Mbatha’s son, Themba.
“This alone shows your commitment to the school and your desire to provide the people of Alex with a world-class school,” Nkwana said.
“If the school was not up to scratch, I am sure you would not want to enrol your own child there, but the fact that you have, further boosts our confidence in your word… about the ideals for which the school stands for.”
Tolbert-Mbatha explained, “I grew up in a poor community back home in the United States, and I know the pains, aspirations and desires of communities such as Alex.
“I know again that the only way to uplift such communities from the clutches of poverty and helplessness is through proper and high-quality education for their children.”
Part of her mission is to make sure that children from Alexandra are given an excellent education that would be a catalyst for their social upliftment.
“I want to give the children options so they can change Alex and the country as a whole,” she said.
“I want to give them that positive influence and belief that they can be whoever they want to be, regardless of their social upbringing and circumstances,”
Tolbert-Mbatha has already hired two ‘dynamic’ teachers with six years experience between them for her opening of two Grade R classes.
