Thembekile Skonde remembered: Inspirational principal, pastor, and community servant
Thembekile Maureen Skonde, a devoted educator, spiritual leader, and pillar of her community, has died at the age of 57.
Deceased: Thembekile Maureen Skonde was born on 26 June 1968 in Kwa-Thema and died on 11 August.
Education: She began her education at Kwa-Thema Combined School and continued her secondary studies at Nkumbulo Secondary School. She obtained her Teacher’s Diploma from Daveyton Teachers’ College and went on to further her studies at Rand University and the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits).
Career: She began her teaching career in 1992 at Groblersdal Primary School, later joined Sithembiso Primary before being deployed to the district office. She then taught at Geluksdal Primary School, moved to Reed Educational Centre, and after a year returned to Geluksdal Primary as Head of Department.
She was subsequently promoted to Deputy Principal and, in 2019, became Principal of Emzimkhulu Primary School in Duduza. In January 2025, her passion, integrity, and dedication to her work led to her appointment as Administrator Principal at Duduza Primary School.
Community: Alongside her educational career, she served as the Senior Pastor of Rhema Sycomore Tree Ministries in Reedville. She was actively involved in the Women Power Through Christ (WPC) organisation and served on the executive committee of the Wright Park CPF.
She was also part of the Duduza Principals’ Forum. Renowned for her timeless fashion sense and captivating motivational speaking, she had a remarkable ability to light up every room she entered.
Family: She is survived by her husband, son, three grandchildren, three sisters, two brothers, and mother.
Funeral: The funeral service will be held on Saturday, from 09:00 to 12:30, at Rhema Jehovah Jireh Ministry, Wright Park, Springs.
