The students and educators of St John’s College celebrated anti-apartheid activist and Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu by naming a school quadrangle in his honour on 7 June.
The ceremony began with a special mass in the school chapel led by the Bishop of Johannesburg, Dr Steve Moreo with reverent accompaniment by the St John’s College Choir.
The school, along with special guests programme manager of the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation Razaan Bailey, Gauteng MEC of Education Panyaza Lesufi and Tutu family representative Nomsa Daniels.
Headmaster Paul Edey said a few words about Desmond Tutu’s important contributions to South Africa and his influence on St John’s College. “As a school, we are reexamining our past, and we work conscientiously in the present. Today is an important day as it helps us become a truly African school.”
Chairperson of the school council Dr Jon Patricios said the quadrangle will represent Desmond Tutu’s commitment, courage and caring nature that he exhibited throughout his life.
The ceremony ended with the unveiling of a special plaque to mark the renaming of the quadrangle.
Gauteng MEC of Education Panyaza Lesufi said the event acted as an affirmation of all the hard work towards a better South Africa and is a sign of much-needed transformation.
Details: www.stjohnscollege.co.za
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