James Wandile Makhubu retired as principal of Unity Secondary School in Daveyton on January 31.
Makhubu founded Unity Secondary School in 1992 and was the principal for the past 29 years. The school is known as one of the best performing high schools in Gauteng.
He started his career as a mathematics teacher but circumstances led him to establish a school.
When Makhubu founded the school he was the only teacher. The school accepted a group of learners who were known as learners at risk.
He previously told the City Times some of these learners were from exile and rural areas and needed to be educated.
The 62-year-old, who became a principal at the age of 32, said teaching has been a large part of his life.
“One of the most important things teachers can do is unlocking a learner’s potential. No child should waste their talents,” he said.
“I have accomplished a lot at the school; however, I still wanted to do more, like building more classrooms and ensuring all the learners are tech-savvy by obtaining tablets they can use to study.”
The Crystal Park resident said he is looking forward to spending more time with his family.
“My family has missed me all these years, but now I am happy that I will be spending more time with them.
“So far I haven’t adjusted to just being at home, so I need to find hobbies that will keep me busy,” said Makhubu.
He plans to further his studies. This is after he completed his BSc in Education at the University of the North (now merged with the University of Limpopo) in 1984 and his Bachelor of Education at the University of the Witwatersrand.
In 1996 he completed his master’s degree at the Northern Illinois University in the USA.
Makhubu’s message to the school’s teachers is that they must remain focused and know the school’s objectives are still the same.
“Our mandate is to take the learners out of poverty to become successful; the school should continue to create breadwinners,” he said.
“I am going to miss all the staff, learners and parents who have come to form part of my daily life.”
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