New Ilembe district director for education feeling hopeful

Dr Musa Madondo, said the region belongs in the top five districts in KZN.

“We need to have a plan to ensure that we produce good results. However, it must not be a plan for the education department only, it must be a plan for the region as a whole.”

He said he is currently meeting all education heads of department so that they can draft a plan. Then they will have to include all relevant stakeholders, such as religious groups, unions and political leadership.

The Ilembe matric pass rate for 2015 was 59,2%, second lowest in the province. Last year the pass rate fell even lower to 52.4% – making it the province’s worst performing district.

“Everyone should have a role to play in ensuring that our district excels. I am fully aware that expectations are very high, therefore co-operation is very important.

“The result of the system that we will be using will be seen in the third year (children who are in Grade 10 will be the product of the new system). However, we will work hard to ensure that the pupils in grade 12 this year also do well,” said Madondo.

Madondo took the reins for the Ilembe region after former director Thembi Vilakazi was recently re-deployed to head office.

Besides being an African language teacher specialising in Zulu, Madono is also a pastor at Salvation Army in Mpangeni, Dondotha, where he was born and raised.

He has a doctorate in African languages from the University of Zululand and a diploma in public management.

Madondo worked as a subject advisor and chief education specialist in King Cetshwayo district. He has written 16 books and most of them have been used in the teaching curriculum in schools. This includes poetry, grammar, drama and children’s stories.

The father of three children (two boys and one girl) said whenever he is not busy with his work or church duties, he enjoys watching soccer. Unfortunately, he said his favourite teams (Orlando Pirates and Barcelona) are currently not doing well. He also tries to work out at the gym at least three times a week.

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