The North West Department of Education mourns the passing of the former Superintendent General, Dr. Itumeleng Samuel Molale.
Dr. Molale passed away on Sunday, 9 August at the Mediclinic Heart Hospital, in Pretoria after a long-term illness.
According to Elias Malindi, the Department of Education spokesperson, Dr. Molale served the Department of Education for 35 years. He started his career in the field of Education 1982 as a teacher. He was then promoted as a departmental head, a middle school principal, then as a high school principal. He also served as an education advisor at in-service training.
Dr. Molale in addition served as a director for eight years, and as a chief director for quality assessment for ten years. Before he retired in 2017, he was a Superintendent General for five years.
North West MEC of Education, Mmaphefo Matsemela conveyed her messages of condolences to the grieving family. “On behalf of the department, I wish to convey my heartfelt condolences to the Molale family and the entire workforce of the North West Department of Education. I worked with him from 2013 until 2017 and he served with dedication and passion. I honestly do not have words to describe his intellectual capacity. He was a maverick in the education fraternity.
“He will forever be missed and we pray for the family to gain strength during this trying time,” said MEC Matsemela.
Before his passing, Dr. Molale was employed by the North-West University (NWU) where he was involved in subject groups of Curriculum Studies and Education Management.
Louis Jacobs, NWU spokesperson says for two years, Dr. Molale bravely battled health challenges however he was very committed to his students. “In his last Whatsapp to me from the hospital a week or two ago he said that his marking is up to date. He was still more concerned about his students than his deteriorating health,” said Jacobs.
Jacobs describes Dr. Molale as a professional educator. When he became part of the NWU, Louis said he came along with a wealth of experience that benefitted his students.
“Dr. Molale’s wisdom impressed us all. He shared his expertise and he was a philosopher in his own right. He was a family man at heart and a true servant of people.”
The university sends its deepest condolences to the family and wishes that God will comfort them.
Malindi says the funeral will be held at his family home (Unit 6) in Mahikeng on Friday, 14 August. The funeral service will be held under strict Covid-19 regulations as stipulated by the government. 
