JOBS, CASH FOR TOP SADC EX-ETJENDLOVU HIGH PUPILS

KUMETHULA – Two former Etjendlovu High School pupils, who represented the country in SADC competitions and emerged victorious, have been offered permanent jobs, money and several gifts.

This was during the celebration of the achievements of former pupils of Etjendlovu High School; Mancoba Msibi, who participated in the SADC essay writing competitions in 2014 and Nonduduzo Ndwandwe, who was placed first at the SADC level in 2015. Msibi and Ndwandwe each received E5 000 from the King, while their teacher was gifted E20 000.
Msibi, who studied humanities, was offered a job at the Ministry of Education and Training, while it was said that Ndwandwe would be given a job as a paramedic as she studied for that profession.  The official opening of the school was grace by the presence of His Majesty King Mswati III, Prime Minister Russell Dlamini, his Deputy, Thuli Dladla, and some cabinet ministers.

Also present was Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala among other guests. It was said that the upgrading of the school cost about E20 million. Making remarks during the event, the King said Msibi and Ndwandwe’s achievements and triumph were not merely personal accomplishments but a testament to the hard work, dedication and talent of the country’s young generation. 
He said after the good representation of the country by the pupils of the same school, the school was a place of interest to him. He wanted to know more about it, hence he invited the duo to a meeting with him and they came with their English teacher, Nontobeko Zulu. The King said he was told that Zulu was the coach and mentor who inspired the duo.

“We are thrilled to know that their teacher inspired the pupils to be critical thinkers and ignited their curiosity and imagination to be among the best in the SADC region. We want to encourage Zulu to continue with her excellent work, even at her new school,” he said. His Majesty said the victory did not only serve as an inspiration to all emaSwati but also put the country on the SADC map. Above all, he said, it drew positive attention and support for the school, resulting in improvements. During the meeting, the King stated that he learned that Ndwandwe’s career choices were based on the limited curriculum offered at the school.  He stated that this challenged the school to find ways to diversify the curriculum to allow learners a wider career choice.

Laboratories

The King said he was pleased that the construction of the laboratories for ICT, Agriculture and Design and Technology were products of the conversation and wishes of the exceptional pupils. He further shared that during engagements with their mentor, who was also their English teacher, Zulu, it emerged that she lived far from the school due to a shortage of staff accommodation, which compelled her to commute daily from Nhlangano. That status quo, the King said, was of great concern to them, hence they directed the government to construct teachers’ quarters, adding that phase two of the project in the school would include the construction of semi-detached houses for teachers’ accommodation, a library and a senior science laboratory. The King said initiatives like that showed how committed the government was to developing the infrastructure of the country’s education system.

The King said it was reported to him that the school and community were without electricity and water. The former pupils, during their meeting, shared that they used candles to study and called for the development of the community as well. It was said that the community benefitted clean water as a result of the constructions at the school. “This is a lesson for all to see that when people are determined to strive, despite the challenges they face, they always succeed. This is also to encourage everyone to thrive and succeed. Do not look down upon yourselves but always aim high,” said the King.

He challenged the young scholars to look up to Msibi and Ndwandwe who faced hardship but still thrived. He stated that today, they are icons because of their determination. He said, as the country strove to elevate the bar for education in Eswatini, government had to ensure that schools are well-managed and supported by infrastructure that fosters quality and sustainable development. The King said, the new laboratories will serve as hubs for active learning, experimentation, and discovery, offering learners the chance to explore technology and various other hands-on disciplines in a real and meaningful way.

Parents

The King said, the relationship between teachers and parents is very important in the advancement of education and added that teachers are parents to the learners at school. He said teachers play an important role in society. The King shared that he noted that the road to Etjendlovu is not of good standard, adding that he was hoping that it will be tarred soon. He stated that he was hoping he will live to see the day in which he returns to Etjendlovu to bless the tarred roads.

He then announced that he came bearing gifts for the elderly. Minister of Education Owen Nxumalo, said the King was going to present all the pupils of Etjendlovu with new uniforms, which would be distributed at school. The former DPM also presented cows, as well as the Acting Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Training, Nanikie Mnisi. The Minister of Education and Training, Owen Nxumalo, also presented a cow to the monarch. Deputy Prime Minister Dladla presented the food parcels that were going to be given to the elderly people of the area.

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