WHEN Ntombi Khumalo first walked into work in September 1995, Pathways was not the bustling centre of excellence it is today. It was a small, hopeful endeavour operating out of the hallway of the Kloof Methodist Church with just six children. Three decades later, as the school stands as a beacon of support in Westville, Khumalo remains its steady heart.

Khumalo has been a “faithful presence” through every chapter of the school’s evolution. She was there when the school moved from that church passage to the Scout Hall in Kloof, and she witnessed the transformative moment in 2002 when the first property at 1 Baden Road was donated.

As the school grew, purchasing the neighbouring property and completing the modern campus that it is today, Khumalo’s role grew with it. Starting as a cleaner, she transitioned into the classroom as a facilitator before finding her true niche as a Physio Assistant in 2005. For the last 20 years, her “hands and heart” have left an enduring imprint on the physical well-being of the children she serves.

During a recent celebration honouring her milestone, Susan Blanckenberg, a founder of the school and chair of the Board, delivered a moving tribute.

“Today I speak not only as chair of the Board, but as one of the founders who has had the privilege of seeing your devotion over three decades,” Blanckenberg shared. “Your service has been far more than a job — it has been a calling. With tenderness, dedication and quiet strength, you have helped shape the spirit of this place.”

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For Khumalo, that “calling” is rooted in a deep sense of purpose. When asked about her favourite part of the last 30 years, her answer reflects the selflessness that has defined her tenure: “God gave me this job. I have seen over the years how it is for a parent with a disabled child and the support they need. It has been a privilege to be a support to these families and to love and care for the children.”

In a world that often measures success by titles or timelines, Blanckenberg reminded the community that Khumalo’s 30 years are “not simply a measure of time, it is a lifetime of care, loyalty, patience and love”. By helping the school live its mission of “making life joyful,” Khumalo has become as much a part of the school’s architecture as the bricks and mortar in Westville.

As the Management Board expressed their “deep personal gratitude,” the message was clear, Pathways is what it is today because Ntombi Khumalo chose to call it home.

“We honour you today, we celebrate you, and we thank you.”

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