Two well-known Mamelodi school principals were laid to rest over the weekend.
The late principal of Ribane Laka High School, Thabo Molifi (57) and former principal of Gamelodi Primary School, Mpho Winifred Malefo (72), will be remembered as icons who left a rich legacy of excellence at these schools.
They were both buried at Hatherly Cemetery next to Nellmapius on Saturday.
Winifred Malefo died after a short illness and will be missed by her two daughters and five grandchildren, great-grandchild, pupils, teachers and residents. She started teaching in 1963 and retired in 2008.
Thabo Molifi was well-known in the Tshwane South District for producing 100% pass rates for matriculants over the past ten years. Molifi died after a long illness and he will be missed by his wife, son, two grandchildren, pupils, teachers and the public at large. He started teaching in 1982 until 2015.
“The man in command is no more, but the code of the school will remain intact,” chairperson of the school governing body at Ribane Laka High School, Solly Manamela said. “The school will succeed in their education ‘like a tree planted by the water’.”
Deputy school principal Martha Ngoma said they will continue to be the best school. “It is not an ordinary school and will continue to be known for the good matric results. The school will also continue to be respected by everybody. The past three weeks when Molifi was not at school, we continued as if he was here. He had done his job. The kind of teachers he has will still drive the good work forward.”
Ngoma added that the school is different from other schools because they are a God-fearing institution. “Everything we do, we get direction from God. We urged parents to continue giving the school support and prayers,” she said.
Grade 12 learner Daniel Letloleng was sad about the passing away of his principal. “He was a motivator and had inspired me in many things. He once caught me doing wrong things on school premises but he always followed up to make sure I live a good life. We intend to honour him by producing excellent pass rates and distinctions in the final examinations.”
Basani Madiseng, one of the teachers at the school, said Molifi was the best leader she had ever met. “He was considerate, loving, caring and always put pupils ahead of everything. He even attended to the learners’ personal problems because he was concerned about their future. We have lost our mentor, leader, a parent, somebody who always supported the pupils and teachers with their school work. As educators, we have lost our mentor, somebody who always supported us in our work.”
Madiseng said Molifi has left a mark in the school and as teachers they will carry his baton forward. “His passing away was a blow to the school, learners and community. May his soul rest in peace.”
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