Thutopele Secondary School bids farewell to Principal

Thutopele Secondary School (TSS) staff, the SGB, union, ward councillor and committee gathered at the school premises to bid farewell to the outgoing principal Sengi Kubheka and general assistant Bertha Moremi, on September 30.

Kubheka was praised for shifting the narrative at the school after he dedicated his last years as the principal to remarkably improve the performance of the school. He started his teaching career in 1987 at Cathula Primary. In 1991 they started Ntombizodwa which is now known as TSS.

Kubheka said after 30 years of service he was promoted to deputy principal in 2017.

“Due to my hard and diligent work in 2018 I was promoted again to be the principal, and now, in 2022, I am retiring on a high note after elevating the school from a poor-performing school to an achieving one,” said Kubheka.

The SGB chairperson, Moses Nzimande, thanked Moremi on behalf of the SGB, citing that she has proven that women can also do the job even if some people can belittle it.

“Working in a clean environment is key. You made the school look beautiful and representable. When there are guests they witnessed the clean environment because of your power, efforts and determination,” said Nzimande.

He also thanked Kubheka for working with them through thick and thin.

“We are thankful that the school and its results have raised through the commitment of your staff and in your leadership era.

“The school’s matric results were very low but through your commitment, the school bounced back.

He described Kubheka as a kind person and shared that they fought several times but he does not remember him or Kubheka putting their foot down to say something would never happen during an argument.

“The beautiful spirit you have of working together with people, without holding grudges, continues. May God bless you in your future endeavours.”

Nzimande encouraged the pair to remain active, to maintain their health and keep it in good condition.

Deputy principal of TSS, Lerato Kuzwayo, said by the grace of God they worked well with the pair over the years.

“Where there are a lot of people there will always be differences but the purpose of us being here is because of the learners,” said Kuzwayo.

“You cannot work in a filthy environment. We have to honour our employees as well, for education, teaching and learning to continue the environment has to be clean, so we thank you Moremi.”

“Try to exercise and take it slow. It is time to read the Bible, no more emails, may God bless you and your families with strength.”

Ward 63 Clr Kiyane Nomonde said she adopted TSS among two other schools in the ward, including Lungisani and Chivirikani Primary School because of the leadership in the respective schools.

“Thutopele is one of the schools that was looked down on and when you passed by the school children would be outside the classroom, but under Kubheka’s leadership, with your team, we saw a huge difference in the school.”

“I was surprised when the director of education called me to inform me that the school was among the top three performing schools. You made us proud even when the results dropped in 2021 we understood the reason but we ask that you pick up again.”