School community bids long serving principal farewell

Alumni, learners and educators of Mphatlalatsane Secondary School in Ga-Mashashane bid farewell to their long serving principal and educator Harry Manamela last Friday. Manamela, a Life Sciences educator, who retired last year after 29 years of service to education.
He started his teaching profession at Thakga e Tala Secondary School in Ga-Mphahlele in 1981 before moving to the then Mokopane College of Education in 1983.
Chairman of the Board for Ethical Foundation for Leadership Excellence, Mautji Pataki who was taught by Manamela at Thakge e Tala described his former educator as a knowledgeable man who loved his work. “He was an amazing educator. He finished all the syllabuses on time and he was one teacher who would come to class with a chalk only and teach. He did not use books to refer. He knew most of the things by heart and we enjoyed learning from him. He taught us to the last drop of his ink because he was committed,” Pataki said.
Selby Makgotho, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Spokesperson and firmer learner at Mphatlalatsane Secondary School said they enjoyed learning under Manamela’s tutelage. “He will always be a principal to me. He knew his education, was dedicated and a passionate educator. He made sure that everyone was in class on time, including educators, and was very strict,” Makgotho said.
In his final speech Manamela thanked all the educators as well as school governing bodies, past and present for the support they had shown to him over the past years. “It has been a fulfilling journey. Teaching is my life and I am humbled by the fact there are people who decided to honour me when I am still alive. I also want to thank the organisers of this event for seeing value in my life. I wish the school all the best and may it continue to produce learners that will make a difference in society,” Manamela said.
On the day the Management of the School dedicated one of the old blocks at the school to Manamela in his honour.
The acting Principal at the school, Madimetja Mamashela said the block will serve as memento. “We could not find better ways to say thank you. We decided to dedicate one of the blocks to him because he was exemplary and a hard working educator. He was a principal but he taught all the grades with aplomb and he had a will to stand in for educators in their absence and that is strong characteristic of a good leader,” Mamashela said.

Story and photos: Herbert Rachuene
>>herbert.observer@gmail.com