Nurturing dreams and building futures

Little did I know I would come back with an inspiring article on a school with exceptional values and commitment to improving the education of the youth in the Bela-Bela community.

The Matamela Ramaphosa Secondary School in Bela-Bela is a non-fee school with a sustainable feeding scheme, under the capable leadership of Rhetty Matjila, is making waves in the Waterberg educational landscape since officially opening its doors on February 8, 2022.

This institution, named after President Cyril Ramaphosa is nestled in Spa Park and has rapidly grown from 438 to 653 learners, with plans to welcome 180 new faces this year. The story of Matamela Ramaphosa Secondary School is one of determination, community support, and a vision for providing quality education to the youth.

The decision to establish a secondary school in Spa Park was driven by a deep concern for the safety and educational needs of the local youth. Residents of Ward 9 in Bela-Bela had requested the Department of Education for the construction of a secondary school for 16 years before its inception. Before the school’s establishment, the ward had one fee-charging secondary school,

Hoërskool Warmbad, affecting indigenous learners with a low socio-economic profile.

Furthermore, the language offerings at local township schools did not align with the language preferences of the learners — a gap that the new school sought to address by providing Afrikaans First Additional Language and English Home Language.

In its early days, the school faced challenges in accessing textbooks, learner support materials, and educator guidebooks and had to rely on neighbouring schools for support. Matjila expressed gratitude for the generosity of her colleagues in this regard. However, a recent visit from Die Pos newspaper coincided with a positive change as the school received the long-awaited textbooks from the government for the first time. This development is a significant milestone for the school and a testament to their tenacity and recognition.

Matjila envisions the establishment as a pioneer school in technical education. While other schools in the area focus on traditional subjects such as History and Geography, her dream is for her school to specialize in technical subjects. She aspires for the school to eventually offer courses in fields such as Mining Engineering, aiming to equip students with practical skills that make them job-ready upon graduation. The uniqueness of the school extends beyond its academic offerings, evident even in its distinctive uniform. The uniform is in a striking orange and a blue plaid skirt for the girls. The boys’ uniform consists of a pair of formal grey trousers, a white collared shirt, and an orange pullover.

“I want our school to be groundbreaking in the province and South- Africa,” she said.

As Matamela Ramaphosa Secondary School approaches its third year, there is a sense of anticipation and hope. The first group of Gr 12 students is expected this year and the principal envisions them achieving academic excellence at par with other leading schools in the district.

“In March our matric learners will receive their unique matric jerseys and it’s something we are all excited about,” said Matjila.

The announcement of the students receiving their matric jerseys in March adds to the excitement, marking a significant milestone for both the students and the school and thus starting a new school tradition.

Currently, they are operating in temporary classrooms. The school has ambitious plans for its physical infrastructure. With construction expected to commence in January, the school aims to have 30 classrooms and various dedicated centres, with a particular focus on a well-equipped kitchen and an area to serve the food. The school’s feeding scheme, providing one meal per day to each learner, underscores its commitment not only to academic success but also to the well-being of its students.

Matamela Ramaphosa Secondary School is not just a place of learning; it’s a beacon of hope, ambition and community spirit. Under the leadership of Matjila, the school is to make a lasting impact on the educational landscape, shaping the futures of the youth in Spa Park and beyond. As it continues to grow and evolve, the school will hopefully be a testament to what can be achieved through dedication, community support, and a forward-thinking vision for education.

Die Pos reached out to the Department of Education and the president’s office and could not confirm that the local school was the first school to be named after our president.