Blow for St Catherine’s as nuns relieved

AFTER 59 years of tireless service at St Catherine’s School in Empangeni, there will no longer be any Dominican Sisters stationed at the learning institution.

The news was met with shock and sadness as the Zululand Observer learnt on Wednesday that Sisters Petra, Melanie and Gene-rosa, all aged between 76 and 86, would be leaving their long-time abode at the convent school.

St Catherine’s Principal Vanessa Janse van Rensburg was unable to comment on the matter on Wednesday, adding that the school would release a full statement ‘in time to come’.

However, the Zululand Observer can confirm that one of the nuns will officially retire and move to a retirement home, while the other two sisters will be transferred to continue with their duties elsewhere.

‘This decision has nothing to do with the school. The school has no say in the matter. It was decided by the Dominican Sisters’ head office,’ said a reliable source.

The Empangeni school, which was founded in 1955, is still owned by Oakford Dominican Sisters, but is independently run.

‘When the school first started, only the sisters taught and as the enrollments grew, the nuns were moved around every five years,’ said the source.

‘The nuns have been very instrumental in the development of pupils at the school. This is a huge shock. It is very sad to see them go. They brought a sense of calm and their presence was felt at all times.’