20 Mar 2013

The old Nswazwi Primary School, which is situated on the eastern outskirts of Tutume along the road to Kalakamati, has never been maintained since the day it stopped operating in 1947.

In an interview, Mr Julius Mogabala, an ex-student of the old school, said the school, which was built in the 1920s, was officially opened in 1923.

Mr Mogabala and some village elders are thinking of approaching government with the view to turning the school into a museum.

Mr Mogabala explained that  when the school first opened its doors to students it was headed by one Mr Adam Moyo (late) from Zimbabwe. Mr Moyo was succeeded by Mr Joubert Mavuma from South Africa. 

He said it catered for students from neighbouring villages like Madandume in Tutume, Goshwe, and Kalakamati in the north east. 

Different languages were used at the school including Tswana, Xhosa and Kalanga, he added.

Mr Mogabala noted that at the time there were no modern sporting activities such as badminton and softball,  but  that students only played football and netball, which were some of the few common sporting activates of the time. 

Furthermore, he indicated that they were taught English and general knowledge, which combined both mathematics and science subjects and also history, which he said was their favourite. 

In addition, Mr Mogabala said some high caliber students of the school fought for the liberation of the country in order to gain independence in 1966. ENDS