Orlando High School celebrates 80 years
Orlando High alumni painted various streets of Orlando East yellow in celebration of the school's 80th anniversary
Today, Orlando High School hosted a 3 KM walk in celebration of its 80th anniversary. The school’s principal along with the alumni joined forces in an honorary walk which followed the school’s evolution and houses of the struggle stalwarts who contributed to the strong standing of the School.
The first stop of this walk commenced at House No. 1 which was the first house to be built in Orlando East. Steve Biko alongside the former learner of Orlando High, Jackie Selebi visited this house in December of 1976. The walk continued to Orlando East Communal Hall where the school stems from. Orlando High School started with only 5 learners at Communal Hall in 1932. At that time the school principal was the long gone Mr B.M. Masepa and amongst others was Mr Peter Raboroko and Zephaniah Mothopeng as teachers. The late former president of South Africa’s younger sister, Nomabandla Leaby Mandela also attended Orlando High in 1945 and her son, Makgatho Mandela later joined the school in 1967 along with Zwelakhe Sisulu. Archbishop Thabo Makgoba also attended the school in 1973.
From Communal Hall, the walk proceeded to House No. 45 in Mooki Street which was the first post office in Orlando East. From there, DOCC Hall was also visited. This hall produced positive outcomes to Orlando East residents during Apartheid, with the late former president Nelson Rholihlahla Mandela honing his boxing skills there and Orlando East youth coming to a resolution to march on June 16 1976. “DOCC is home to African Black Theater; because this is where Mbongeni Ngema, Gibson Kente, Brenda Fassie, Desmond Dube, Sello Maake ka Ncube and Kenny Majozi started their careers” said Vuka Tshabalala, Founder and CEO of the James Mpanza Legacy Foundation Trust.
The walk also incorporated a visitation to Orlando Ground Number 1 which was the first home ground for Orlando Pirates FC in the 1930s. Seth Mazibuko, who was one of the leaders of the Soweto Students’ uprising and Vuka Tshabalala were narrating the brief history of events. The walk concluded at Adams Street.
