Dobsonville’s Margaret Gwele Primary marks 70 years of education

Parents, learners, teachers and members of the Gwele family gathered at Margaret Gwele Primary School on October 9 to celebrate its 70th anniversary, marking seven decades of education, heritage and service to the Dobsonville community.

Established in 1956, Margaret Gwele Primary School is a proud Xhosa home language school that has educated and served generations of learners and families in the community.

The 70th anniversary celebration, held under the theme “Our Pride, Our Heritage, Our Future”, celebrated the rich history and culture of Dobsonville while raising awareness of important social issues affecting the community.

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As part of the programme, learners participated in a one-hour commemorative walk, celebrating the school’s 70-year journey and its connection to the wider Dobsonville community.

The school administrator, Tshepang Morake, said celebrating the anniversary meant a lot to the school, as it had a rich history.

She said the school started with only one block but had since grown to six blocks, with an office and parking area, showing how Dobsonville had developed over the years and how much the school had contributed to the community.

“We are very excited to celebrate this important milestone. Having the Gwele family here with us today is very special because they will share the history and legacy of the school with us. It was important for us to have them be part of this celebration because they are part of the school’s history. This school is our pride and our future, and we are proud of how far it has come over the years,” she said.

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She added that addressing the social issues facing the Dobsonville community was important, as the school also dealt with various cases daily, making it essential to raise awareness of these challenges.

The Gwele family thanked the school for producing excellent learners and teachers and for commemorating Margaret Gwele over the past 70 years.

Margaret Gwele’s last grandchild, Ntsumi Gwele Duma, said the anniversary was an amazing celebration and that they were proud of Margaret Gwele, as well as the teachers and learners at the school.

“This is a beautiful school that has produced excellent people in South Africa. We are so proud of our Gogo for establishing this school, which has become a great source of pride for Dobsonville. We are also proud that she continues to be honoured and that her name remains part of the school’s legacy,” she said.