Education and foresight are symbiotic as preparation for the future requires knowledge and vision. With an eye on where the world can and will be, Tulip Combined Secondary School is placing its fortunes in their newly appointed principal, Zachariah Mthimkhulu.
At 39 years old, he is relishing the challenge of shaping the 700 learners under his command into the productive adults of tomorrow. Beginning his teaching career in Swaziland, he fine-tuned his abilities at Lukhanyo High School in Randfontein. His reputation as a leader and trainer of teachers caught the attention of Tulip Combined Secondary that recruited him as a Geography teacher in 2019.
A seasoned administrator and distinguished academic, Zachariah aims to prepare the learners and staff of Tulip Combined Secondary for the coming technological age. “We need to focus our attention on the fourth industrial revolution. I hope to upgrade the systems, improve the IT and PC facilities and most importantly, increase the number of distinctions and the overall quality of the passes,” Zachariah declared.
His bold plans are backed up by his stellar education, holding various degrees, diplomas and certifications in multiple subjects. Inspiring his pursuit of a variety of topics, including an Honours degree in Accounting from the University of Johannesburg, was Zachariah’s observation of the job market. “People who graduated before me were still loitering around so I needed to be more dynamic,” he explained.
Zachariah sees immense potential in Tulip, with plans extending well beyond the reach of the school’s current grounds. “We can grow this into a group of schools that encompasses a TVET college to create a variety of skills so that learners are fit for the future,” he said.
A self-proclaimed strategist, Zachariah Mthimkulu clearly sees the path to success and the bountiful rewards at the end of that journey.
