A relatively new and unknown public school in Soweto, located in-between Krugersdorp and Protea Glen areas in Western Johannesburg – has placed itself firmly on the map. Located at 2150 Motswiri and Molopa Streets, this is a public school that is a stone’s throw away from my home. It is Lufhereng Secondary School, located in a township area within a low-cost housing environment.
Lufhereng is a housing establishment aimed at accommodating 30 000 households, addressing the 1996/1997 waiting list backlog of people living in informal settlements, backyard shacks in Soweto. The name Lufhereng is derived from combining a Tshivenda word “Lufhe” with a Sotho word “reng” to deduce a name that means a place where different people come together for a united commitment. The area of Lufhereng is a fairly new development in the wider region along the R558 connecting Protea Glen and Tshepisong and houses a significant proportion of people who were previously living at the informal settlements of Protea South. As a result of this new establishment, many people who previously did not have proper homes or roofs over their heads, are now proud homeowners.
So, when people in general talk of development in an area, they often refer to things such as how many recreational facilities are there, the earning potential of the residents, quality of infrastructure and facilities that exist and to some extent, the service delivery received. I’d like to refer to how schools, through their performances, are now slowly proving their potential and capability of serving as worthwhile development beacons in any area. Typical to any township area particularly in Soweto, where the article is based, has a number of schools around as it houses the close to two millions residents, according to Population.hub.com.
Located almost at the center of this housing development area and completely enclosed by green palisades that stick out, Lufhereng Secondary School is a school made up of predominantly mobile blue and white classes. The school had a total of 165 learners who sat for the 2024 matriculation exams. And all the learners who wrote at the school, passed. Two learners, both girls managed to obtain a collective of 15 distinctions combined. This is a testimony of how they align to their school motto in the excellence that school embodies. My wish is for these two learners to be sponsored in their individual pursuits to further their education and that they be adequately supported and mentored throughout their next journey. I also hope that one day, they do return to the school and motivate the learners then, using their own stories as case studies.
School Principal, Mrs Elsie Mphahlele-Sebingwang told media houses who covered the school extensively over the release of the 2024 matric results, attributed the success to the collaborative nature that is a culture at the school: citing parents, through the School Governing Body (SGB), teachers and extended staff through the School Management Team (SMT), the basic education district and the leaners themselves. They also have study camps and extra classes that aid in further assisting the learners to catch up, improve and revise. According to an online article from Soweto Urban News, the Principal is seen saying that they are also strict on absenteeism at the school especially without any valid reason from both educators and learners. This speaks to the level of discipline that is instilled at the school.
The school has shown a tremendous improvement in their results since its establishment. It has recorded only 6 matric results to date, starting in 2018 with 70.4% and then followed by a drastic decline to 51.9% in 2019. From 2020, the school registered 86.1% to a 98.1% in 2021. 2022 saw them reach 91% and 98.2% in 2023. Their 100% pass rate for 2024 saw them increase their previous record by 1.8%. The school’s stellar results do not only end off on the 100% overall pass rate, but it also recorded a 97% pass rate in Bachelor Passes and about 3% Diploma passes and no higher certificate passes. This means that 97% of the matric passes are those enabling the learners to access a university qualification as a form of post-schooling. These are indeed terrific results for a no-fee paying school and this has since made it one of the top performing schools in Gauteng, pitting it against schools that are better resourced and more advanced with access to educational resources and funding through the payment of fees.
My other hope through this great story is that the school continues to maintain this trend into the future and that the school gets the necessary support it requires in the form of educational resources and any form of financial assistance needs to stay afloat and to remain one of the top schools in the province of Gauteng. This goes a long way in ensuring that the school remains attractive as one of the school’s worth considering for parents in Gauteng and neighboring areas to choose for their learners. With the Gauteng online admissions process that is widely publicized in the news for its hurdles, it is all too common for parents to prefer sending their kids to former ‘Model C’ or private schools, in the city of Johannesburg, far away from the township as a means of seeking better education for their children. I am hoping that the stereotype is slowly being challenged and demystified.
The reality is that not all parents of children in the township can comfortably afford private schooling for their children, and it becomes more appealing and appropriate that such a school be in existence which also has the plausible record of results to show for its esteem. This is also good news for other schools in a similar position across the nation, which are doing well but may not have necessarily gained much traction from the media to further support what these schools are able to achieve.
Schools in the nearby communities produced commendable results. Protea Glen Secondary and number 2 obtained 84.3% and 96,8% respectively. While my former high school in Protea North, Tetelo Secondary School scored a 91.2% matric pass rate in 2024. Closer to home now, my older sister, who’s a teacher at one of the schools mentioned above, managed to produce a learner who scored full marks in her final Business Studies subject exam. I also take my hats off to her for her role in the child’s incredible achievement. There are so many other related stories that are a reality and may not have been recorded or spoken much about in the media. Made this post be enough to also add its voice to celebrating all those silent successes. This is proof that, the excellence shown by this school, does have the power to spread over and that it is not isolated. It’s important for township and rural schools to be supported appropriately by both the department of basic education and the host communities.
Communities still play a vital role in ensuring that schools are protected, are safe and that learning is not easily disrupted unnecessarily as seen through riots and protests for a variety of reasons across the nation. The community is an important stakeholder to the success of schools, and it is important that parents, as part of the community and the SGB take up those pivotal voices, spaces and positions in the education of their children.
I’ve learnt through my postgraduate studies that communities and parents play a significant role in the influencing the learning and teaching that takes place inside the school than they actually think. It therefore becomes crucial that they heed that call and responsibility.
To the teachers at Lufhereng Secondary School, who are the unsung heroes and heroines – may they be appreciated and valued as well for their role in this incredible achievement. I would have hoped that the principal did something small as a token of her appreciation to the staff for their work, even a simple ‘thank you’ at a staff meeting at the school, can go a very long way. I also congratulate the principal for her role in leading this school to such incredible results. I also celebrate the community and parents for their involvement in this inspirational story about how a healthy and peaceful, collective collaborative environment can benefit the learners in their performance. Well done to the 165 learners too for being the real stars in this story. I wish them all great success for their future prospects.
This speaks to resilience and the power of collective commitment when faced with adverse conditions and what a wellness spirit to achieve the impossible amid those challenges, looks like and can do. I congratulate again the principal, staff, community and learners of Lufhereng Secondary School for their success. Theirs is classic evidence of what happens when God shines through.
References
https://population-hub.com/en/za/population-of-soweto-5751.html#google_vignette
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