Centenary Celebration 1904 - 2004
Return of Land heralds a new era for the school that refused to die…
On Sunday, 12th September 2004, 100 years after its foundation by the London Missionary Society, a new chapter in the poignant history of one of South Africa’s most remarkable schools began. On the occasion of the centenary celebrations of Tiger Kloof Educational Institution, land lost to Tiger Kloof during the apartheid era was returned.
This followed the successful conclusion of a lengthy process of negotiation by the Land Claims Commission. Officiating at the occasion was the Minister of Education Naledi Pandor and the Premier of North West Province, Ednah Molewa. Celebrating amongst the illustrious former pupils of the school were Sir Ketumile Masire, former President of Botswana, and Archie Mogwe, both of whom played significant roles in facilitating the recent Congo peace process.
During the first fifty years, the London Missionary Society developed Tiger Kloof into a multi-faceted educational institution including both primary and secondary education, vocational training in a variety of skills, and teachers’ training and theological training. Tiger Kloof was renowned for the quality of leadership shown by its articulate and principled graduates. However, the introduction of the Bantu Education Act by the apartheid government forced the LMS to withdraw in 1956. For an unhappy period marked by student unrest, Tiger Kloof continued as a government school, until the property was designated a “whites only” area in terms of the Group Areas Act in1963 and the school was closed down.
For years the magnificent stone buildings constructed by the apprentice pupils themselves stood in ruins, until a pioneering educationalist, David Matthews, with the support of local businessman Wally Brink and ‘Old Tigers’ such as the ANC stalwart Ruth Mompati (now mayor of Vryburg), and local community leader George Mosiapoa, undertook a feasibility study and gathered donor support to acquire that portion of the property on which stood the majority of the school buildings. Funding from the Genesis / Solon Foundation, the Independent Development Trust and the Open Society Foundation enabled the portion to be purchased from the local farmer who had acquired it from the state, and restoration of the buildings began.
In 1995 the resurrected Tiger Kloof was officially reopened in a joyous church service officiated by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, whose mother had attended Tiger Kloof.
In the years that have followed Tiger Kloof has rapidly re-established itself, providing an ever-increasing range of excellent educational opportunities. A unique partnership between private initiative and government reflects the new democratic era. The school is registered as a government school on private property, with the secondary school falling under the direction of the Department of Education. The Board of Tiger Kloof Educational Institution assumes responsibility for the boarding hostels and residential environment and continually seeks funding to develop further educational initiatives, including vocational skills training for secondary school learners and adults.
Developments have included information technology with 24 hour internet access and upgraded sport and recreation facilities. Through the generous support of the Swiss-based Solon Foundation, Tiger Kloof provides considerable bursary assistance to those without means, and support from members of international schools’ associations such as the Round Square Schools enables students to enjoy international exchanges. Tiger Kloof was also engaged in an innovative teacher development programme with Trinity School in New York.
The restitution of the original properties opens a new era for Tiger Kloof. In line with the national priority to focus on mathematics and science education, Tiger Kloof established a Primary School to provide effective early learning in mathematics, science and technology. Three properties have been returned to Tiger Kloof through the land restitution process. On one of the properties stand the ruins of the former Girls’ Hostel which now serves as a Primary School The dining hall will be adapted to become the primary school hall and library.
Another property incorporates a quarry and the environmentally sensitive river valley known as ‘the Kloof’. The quarry is now closed and rehabilitated according to the requisite safety requirements and will be converted into a picnic / camping site with a small dam. Tiger Kloof intends to incorporate this potentially attractive feature together with the Kloof into a conservancy containing an environmental and leadership education centre. The third portion of land is largely farm land suitable for cattle farming. This provides Tiger Kloof with the opportunity to link with agricultural training colleges to provide practical training for farmers in best practice and sustainable land use.
Tiger Kloof’s history reflects the story of South Africa with all its pain, its endurance, and its miraculous new opportunities. It was fitting that the celebrations held at Tiger Kloof on the 12th September 2004 coincided with the country’s celebrations of 10 years of democracy, marking a significant highlight in the unique story of a proudly South African school.
Peter Habberton, current rector of Tiger Kloof Educational Institution