HISTORIC SCHOOLS RESTORATION PROJECT ALUMNI DINNER
WELL DONE, ‘OLD’ TIGERS! It was GREAT to see you there!!! 14 Old Tigers attended the HSRP Alumni Dinner at Gallagher Estate on Saturday 28 February 2009: George Mosiapoa (Graduating Class of 1955), Lefa Maine (1999), Petrus Setshedi Madimase (2000), Adiretse Mogopa (2000), Shimmy Monyatsi (2001), Dichaba Lebotse (2002), Pelotshweu Kename (2002), Thato Belang (2002), One Kitchin (2002), Malebogo Mogapinyane (2004), Thato Mmereki (2006), Tefo Marabutse (2006), Olebogeng Percy Wagae (2006), Tshepang Molamu (2006)
The dinner was a very prestigious event, attended by Ex-President Mbeki and his wife, with guest speakers including ex-Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Dr Mamphela Ramphele and Dr Hlope Bam. The message from all of the speakers encouraged past pupils of the historic schools to get involved, and to give back in some way to progressing the restoration of schools that were significant sites of educational excellence prior to the promulgation of the Bantu Education Act.
The effort to restore these schools is seen as a nation-building enterprise of major importance, and alumni of the schools are invited to be ambassadors for, and to form the backbone of, the Historic Schools Project. As Dr Ramphele said: "Education is the platform for an inter-generational social compact that will contribute towards making our dream for greatness as a nation come alive. It takes key drivers to make dreams come to fruition, and alumni are the drivers by giving back, through their skills and finance, towards the institutions that helped them become who they are."
It was the older generation of Tigers who worked so hard to help Mr Matthews resurrect Tiger Kloof – people like Archie Mogwe, George Mosiapoa and Ruth Mompati – and Bra George and Mama Ruth still give of their time and expertise as Board members.
The time is ripe for the new generation of ‘Old Tigers’ of the resurrected Tiger Kloof to get involved by giving of their time and talents. Even if, at this stage of your lives, you cannot contribute much financially, you can get involved by forming alumni committees in the various centres in which you find yourselves, keeping in touch with the school. There are even places on the SGB and Board for alumni! Remember that the formation of a network of alumni can be very advantageous in your business, personal and social life! The Tigers should be family of diversely skilled people dedicated to helping each other!!!! May our good and gracious God bless you all in your endeavours! P D Habberton, rector of Tiger Kloof pdhabberton@vstar.co.za
2008 ALUMNI NEWS
Calling all past pupils of Tiger Kloof!!! Please contact us and update us with your contact details and news of your achievements and activities. We will then make sure the Past Pupil section of our website keeps you informed about your peers and all the other ‘Old Tigers’ out there.
We are hoping you will be keen to make contact with any other ‘Old Tigers’ in the area in which are working or studying, and that you get together on a regularly basis. If you e-mail the school we can publish your contact details on the web-site and in this way help to connect you. When you do plan a get-together, please let us know beforehand when such gatherings are due to take place!!
Gale Molema established a group in Johannesburg, but he is now working in Namibia, so we need a successor to volunteer to co-ordinate the Jozi brigade. We know there are a number of ‘Old Tigers’ studying in Jo’burg, Durban, Bloemfontein, and Cape Town – please send us your details – and if you are interested in helping to co-ordinate these groups, please let us know.
HISTORICAL NEWS
Dr. ’Albert Gomolemo Matlhoko has written from Victoria in Australia. He came to Tiger Kloof as a little boy during the time when Rev A.J. Haile was Principal, to live with his uncle who was employed at Tiger Kloof as a baker. He was the first Tiger Kloof resident to gain a first-class from the Tiger Kloof Practising (Primary) school in the non-segregated Cape Department of Public Education examinations. By this time Rev Aubrey Lewis was the Principal. Mr. Matlhoko went on to achieve a first class pass in the Junior Certificate examinations and graduated as a medical doctor with a M.B Ch.B (Natal) and went on to attain an M.Sc. in bioengineering science from Dundee University in Scotland.
Dr. Matlhoko recalls the following students and some of their achievements:
Sir Seretse Khama, the first President of the newly independent state of Botswana
Ketumile Masire, the second President of Botswana, and first President south of the Zambezi to be elected democratically by universal suffrage.
Moleleki Mokama, B.A., LL.B (University of London). He was the first Attorney-General and later Chief Justice of Botswana.
Lebang Mpotokwane, who became a policy advisor in the Presidential Office in Botswana
Claire Kawandami, the first girl to gain a first-class pass. She went on to become the National Director of Nursing Services in Botswana, the first black woman to hold such national office in the entire sub-continent.
David Tsatsi, M.B Ch.B (Natal), the very first student to gain a first-class pass in the Junior Certificate examinations.
Peter Diphaha, who was sent to Tiger Kloof in Grade 1 because his parents were ex-Tigers, and who dominated in sports, particularly athletics including the annual half-marathon that was run from Market St in Vryburg to the Practising School at Tiger Kloof.
Peter had an elder brother, Zachariah Diphaha. Other brother-pairs were Samuel and Peter Mahatlane from Groot Marico, the Mosiiemangs from Bechuanaland and Francis and Ndaba Nyati from Somerset East.
Stephen Lewetse Matseoane, B.Sc (Rhodes); M.B Ch.B (Wits), the first medical doctor to qualify. He came from Johannesburg.
Charlton Mtimkulu Mehlomekulu, B.Sc (Rhodes), M.B Ch.B (Natal), the second medical doctor to qualify. He came from Benoni.
Lennox Letlhaku, B.Sc (Hygiene), the first Public Healthcare Worker and Inspector to qualify. He came from Vryburg.
Vusimuzi Make, B.A (Rhodes). He later attended Ruskin College, University of Oxford. He was a founder member with Robert Sobukwe of the Pan-African Congress and was its first President. He came from Benoni.
Theophilus Dumentlango Kraai, M.B Ch.B (Natal). He came from the Pudimoe area.
Jafta Sebopedi, M.B Ch.B (Natal). He came from Magopela.
Keinee Mosiiemang, M.B Ch.B (University of Liverpool). He came from Molepolole.
Bosele Mosiiemang, B.Sc in Pharmacy
Victoria Emang Tire, B.Sc (Natal) in Nursing. Other girls who went on to a career in Nursing together with Clare Kawandami were Serara Selelo, Mary-Jane Morare, Neo Raditladi and many others.
Dr. Matlhoko also recalls some of his favourite teachers:
Ms Grace Matshane, his Grade 1 teacher; G.W. Bundy who went on to lecture English at Fort Hare University; T.W.Tshiki, B.Sc, a graduate from Rhodes and Fort Hare who was a brilliant science teacher; Noah Setishido who became a professor in mathematics and Chancellor of the University of Botswana, Temba Nyati, B.A, a Tiger Kloof graduate whose father was head of the Tiger Kloof Practising School department, an excellent Geography and Latin teacher, D.D. Siwisa, B.A, history teacher, and C.N. Lekalake, B.A.. Mr R.B. Molefe, an ex-Tiger, was the band-master.
NEWS OF THE MONTH
The month of June 2008 has seen the District formerly known as Bophirima (“West”) District Municpality be re-named in honour of one of Tiger Kloof’s most distinguished alumnae, as the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality.
“Mama Ruth” as she is affectionately known, is recognized as a freedom fighter and a stalwart of the ANC. She served as a secretary in the Johannesburg Law Office of Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo during the period of the Rivonia ‘Treason’ Trials and is a former SA Ambassador to Switzerland and the current Mayor of the Naledi Municipality.
Dr Mompati is also a founder Board Member of the resurrected Tiger Kloof Educational Institution.
NEWS OF RECENT ‘OLD TIGERS’
Thanks to Kamogelo Maerman '04 who is studying in Johannesburg and who sent us a mail to update us about some of his peers: Tshiamo Nakanyane '04 is studying Medicine at the University of the Free State. His brother Henny Nakanyane '07 has joined him in Bloemfontein and is studying Accounting. Mpho Motlele '04 is a foreman in a major construction company. Nkokotseng Konopi '04 is studying for a National Diploma in Civil Engineering at the University of Johannesburg. Others who went to study in Johannesburg include Thato Sebastian Mmereki '06 (studying Journalism at UJ), Galaletsang Sebopedi '06, Tsholofelo Letsapa '05, Vinoliah Sehudugeng '05, Katlego Molelekwa '06, Charles Modise '06, Olebogeng Wagae '06, Ike Mahumapelo, Pule Seobi, Boipelo Motlhasi and Kgalalelo Mothusi '06.
Tefo Marabutse '06, who distinguished himself by achieving an ‘A’ aggregate (including a distinction in HG Maths) in matric, won a scholarship from Telkom and is studying Electrical Engineering at the University of the Witwatersrand. Tefo used some of his holiday at the beginning of the year to mentor students at Tiger Kloof. Tefo writes to say that after coming across several of the ‘Old Tigers’ mentioned above, he realizes “TK doesn’t just groom academics, but people with high moral values that exclude them from the rest. ‘Tigers’ know their purpose in life.”
Lesego Mokoma '06 has recently completed a year’s service as a GAP student at The Regent’s School, Thailand, where she was instrumental in developing their community service programmes. Lesego has been followed by Tshepang ‘Stix’ Molamu '06 who is currently completing a GAP year at the Regent’s School.
Lesego Serolong '05 received a scholarship to William Wilberforce University in Ohio, USA, where she is a Pre-Med student specialising in Dermatology.
Boitumelo Maletsane (1996-2000) graduated with B. Accounting (Honours) from the University of the Free State
Esther Diokane '06 is studying Law at the University of Cape Town. Also in Cape Town, at the Tech, is Karobo Gaobape '06 who is studying Business Administration and has become a surfer!
Matshidiso Gabriel Medupe '99 graduated from the Technikon of the Free State in Information technology and is now the Business Manager for P.C. Training and Business College.
Bogosi Modise '99 is an IT specialist and is setting up his own mining company called BJM Mining Resources.
Lesego Lobakeng '05 is studying Civil Engineering at the Durban University of Technology.
Dichabe Lebotse is an IT specialist working for SCAN Exhibitions. Displays, Presentations.
Lebogang Moabi '04 has completed a degree in Motion Picture Studies.
Information compiled by Mr. P D Habberton (rector). Thank you for sending us information. Please send any corrections or more information to pdhabberton@vstar.co.za
