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THIS weekend, Thekwane High School will celebrate its 100th anniversary.
Founded in 1924 as Tegwani Upper Primary School for boys by Mr Herbert Carter a Methodist Church Missionary, it initially enrolled four boarders and two-day pupils: Elijah Mhlanamano, Mqiqima Mangoye, Jonathan Ntaisi, Dzinqilani Malumo, Vilani Nkobi, and Kangezi Pile.
In 1934, the school admitted its first intake of 11 girls. The Famous Beit Hall was officially opened in 1958 by Vice-Admiral Sir Peverill William Polett.
The School institution is a Methodist Church school, situated about 13 kilometres north of Plumtree, in Matabeleland South province, Zimbabwe.
It is one of the earliest secondary institutions in the country.
It is situated near Thekwane River, which takes its name from the hammer-headed stork, “uthekwane”, which used to be common along its banks, and which is depicted on the school badge.
Thekwane has had a difficult recent history, having struggled to re-establish itself after the destruction inflicted during the War of Liberation, against a background of financial stringencies.
Throughout this period Thekwane has remained a school of accolades in all life spheres; accolades in quality academic practise, accolades in sports; accolades in religious undertakings – Methodism, accolades in intellectual and political cultivation of minds.
The school’s Mission Statement is “To mould righteous citizens by providing a high quality and relevant, education and to be a institution of high Christian and Methodist ethics. Thekwane High School’s Motto is Qondani ekukhanyeni.
Past pupils of Thekwane High School include National University of Science and Technology (Nust) Dean of the Faculty of Information Science Professor Bhekinkosi Jakobe Ncube, one of ZANU-PF’s founding members and National Hero Dr Edson Zvobgo, National Hero, ZIPRA Supremo and Former Home Affairs Minister the late Dumiso Dabengwa, the late Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education Lutho Addington Tapela, Dr Dabudabu, LD Bhala, Former Education Minister Dr Lazarus Dokora and one of the founding members of Lupane State University the late Dr Mclean Mackson Bhala among others are testimony of the above.
Other luminaries include Justice Sansole, Dr Michael Ndubiwa, Prof Eliphas Mukonoweshuro, former Attorney-General Prince Machaya, Ambassador Willie Zenzo Nsimbi, Witness Rakarwa, Tapiwa Mboyi Sibanda and former Vic Falls Mayor Alderman Nkosilathi Jiyane.