Former principal from Cullinan looks back on milestones

Selaki Masenya, former Chipa-Tabane Comprehensive High School principal in Cullinan, reflects on the milestones he achieved and the challenges he overcame during his tenure.

Masenya’s journey, guided by the Leaders for Education programme offered by Citizen Leader Lab, has paved the way for Chipa-Tabane to fulfil its commitment to providing quality education to its almost 2 000 learners.

His experience on the 12-month leadership development programme remains vivid and transformative.

The Leaders for Education programme is designed to improve participating principals’ confidence, competence and leadership skills by pairing public school principals with private sector leaders.

Research shows that school principals are pivotal in setting the school’s vision, ensuring academic excellence, creating a positive learning environment and building relationships with stakeholders.

For Masenya, the programme inspired a paradigm shift in his leadership style and the way he interacted with his staff and the broader school community.

“Before the programme, I confronted dissenters head-on. My approach changed, and I engaged constructively, transforming potential adversaries into valuable contributors,” said Masenya.

“We restructured school meetings to prioritise inclusivity. After attending the time-to-think workshop, a formal component of the Leaders for Education programme, Masenya began to apply what he had learned.

“We embraced diversity and ensured everyone felt at ease. This new meeting format encouraged open dialogue and honoured every voice,” said Masenya.

Empowering and capacitating principals allows them to strengthen ties with the school’s stakeholders and mobilise parents and the community around the school. Masenya felt improving the school’s digital communication channels would achieve that.

“The first step was revamping our outdated school website. It made vital information accessible to parents, learners and the community,” says Masenya.

The principal’s commitment to building community was further fuelled by encounters during the programme, notably with author Charlie Petersen.

“Petersen’s book, Boy Child, You Are Not Alone, inspired me to launch an initiative for boys without parental figures,” said Masenya.

This involved distributing copies of the book and organising weekend activities to offer companionship and mentorship.

A drive to honour the unsung heroes of the community, the elderly caregivers affectionately known as Gogos, also brought the school and community closer together.

In 2023, a pioneering cohort of SMT leaders from selected secondary schools in Tshwane embarked on a School Management Team Leadership Programme (SMTP) pilot by Citizen Leader Lab.

They had the opportunity to partake in peer-to-peer learning, coaching and workshops that not only developed their leadership skills but also improved their schools. Enrolling members of his SMT in the programme was a strategic decision for Masenya.

He attributed the tangible changes he saw in his SMT, such as the launch of a vibrant newsletter spearheaded by the team, as well as a noticeable reduction in conflict, better work ethic and a more collaborative and positive working environment, to the programme.

The practice of showing gratitude became a daily part of Masenya’s interactions with his teachers, creating a surge in teacher morale, which initiated the teacher-led revival of Chip-Tabane’s once-dormant library.

This momentum continued after Masenya left the school. Over 90% of the teachers volunteered their time despite limited funds for extra lessons this year.

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Masenya and his staff addressed issues like substance abuse, teen pregnancies and ill-discipline. A concerted effort to empower the Chipa-Tabane Representative Council of Learners (RCL) ensured equipping the learners with leadership skills and given a say in issues that directly affect them.

“The programme impact is evident in our learners’ behaviour, attitude and performance, and this sets our school apart from others,” said Masenya.

Citizen Leader Lab opened doors and exposed Masenya to opportunities he would not have ordinarily encountered.

In 2023, his deputy principal nominated him for the National Teachers Awards, and he became the top principal in Gauteng for Secondary School Management, eventually competing at a national level.

Although Masenya now serves at the school district level, he emphasises the impact of his leadership development journey extends far beyond his own achievements.

“The programme enriched my journey as a principal, but most importantly, it improved our school. I am no longer at the school, but I feel I have left a lasting legacy of positive change that is evident in the day-to-day operations of Chipa-Tabane and the broader school culture. The acting principal, a participant of the programme, continues to lead effectively,’’ said Masenya.

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