In 1969, Solly Mokoena started working at Potchefstroom High School for Boys when he was just 19 years old. In 2015, after 46 years of service, he hung up his hat.
His contribution went beyond his early years of boiler-stoking and his latter years as a messenger. He was rewarded with a small farewell function and a certificate of service.
Last year, a group of old boys decided to publish a collection of interesting stories of their years at ‘College’.
In a Facebook thread (Old Mooi Short Stories), someone mentioned ‘Uncle’ Solly Mokoena – and the tributes began to pour in. Heartfelt stories of how he knew every first team rugby player by name; how his strong fingers could pinch a wrongdoer into submission; his laughter that always echoed down the corridors and how he referred to errant schoolboys as ‘Philistines’.
One former student even shared how he would be there whenever they needed food or when the fields needed tending and he always brought laughter.
Upon hearing that ‘Uncle’ Solly’s dedicated service had been acknowledged with just a small farewell function, a cake and a certificate when he left the school, the Old Boys contacted his family.
They found out that he is a subsistence farmer on the outskirts of Rustenburg now.
They started the ‘Get Solly a Bakkie by Christmas’ initiative. Former students and educators and others associated with the Potchefstroom High School for Boys donated to the cause.
Although the Christmas gift came a few months later, it amounted to an incredible R150,000!
On Saturday, 27 March, Uncle Solly Mokoena and his family met with a small group of former students and he was handed a Heavy Load Nissan Cabstar Delivery Vehicle.
Solly was thanked on behalf of everyone he had served and his family was acknowledged for their sacrifice of their father’s presence so that the boys at the school could have Solly at their side.
