Ngosa Bwalya, the newly promoted principal at St Declan’s School for Boys, spoke with the Comaro CHRONICLE and said, “I’ve got big shoes to fill and I’m absolutely up for the challenge.”
Bwalya joined St Declan’s in January 2019 as a teacher and was made head of sports.
He’d previously been with Jeppe Preparatory Junior School from 2009 to 2018.
He’s married to Bronwyn and they have two boys, Jadon who is in Grade Two at St Declan’s and Ezra, who is 18 months old.
The family lives in Glenvista.
Why a teacher?
“My mother owned a small crèche at the side of our home while I was still in Bordeaux Primary School, Randburg, and with assistance from my father, who was a civil engineer at the time, they built up the crèche.
“Later she became a Grade One teacher at a public school and so the seeds were sown and my interest in teaching grew.
“I attended King Edward Vll School, became a school prefect and then head of the hostel while I was staying in the boarding school there.
“I was interested then in becoming a teacher and went on to study at Wits, doing a Bachelor of Education degree. This is where I met Bronwyn.
“My mom definitely had a great impact on me in becoming a teacher and after she passed away in 2002 I knew it was the career I wanted to follow and to carry on her legacy,” Bwalya added.
When Bwalya came to St Declan’s in 2019, Tharina Weinmann was acting principal. “It’s great that Weinmann is still here teaching as I can fall back onto her if I feel a little out of my depth. Thankfully this doesn’t happen often,” he laughed.
Bwalya said the staff are strong and supportive at St Declan’s.
“We are a real family team, being there for each other and of course the boys in the school.
“I know I can depend on each and every one of the staff members, they always go the extra mile.
He added, “A school has three sides; the learners, the parents and the teachers.
“Parents are far more involved in their child’s education now than before and it makes for well-balanced children who feel secure.”
Your future at St Declan’s?
“I think it’s vital to teach the boys to become gentlemen. Good manners carry one far and together with humility, great gentlemen they will become.
“You certainly have to think ahead and can’t be short-sighted. I’ve still lots to do here but one day, when I move on, I’d like to think I’ve left a legacy behind. Presently it’s the only boys school in the South and I’d like to see it become one of the best in Gauteng.”
Hobbies?
Bwalya loves music and playing his guitar. He also enjoys a great game of rugby.
“Family time comes first and we often take a picnic and just be together in nature. It’s wonderful for the soul.”
In conclusion, Bwalya added, “The school’s emblem – ‘Acknowledge Him in all you do and He will guide your path’ (Proverbs 3:6) is something I adhere to and with Him by side, I’m confident to be on a journey to take St Declan’s to new heights.”
