"Only the stars must stop Archie Mbolekwa pupils from studying," said the school's principal, encouraging pupils to learn as much as they can and only accept the sky as their limit.
"Only the stars must stop Archie Mbolekwa pupils from studying," said the school's principal, encouraging pupils to learn as much as they can and only accept the sky as their limit.
Archie Mbolekwa Higher Primary principal Zola Mothlabane addressed a crowd of pupils, teachers and parents on Tuesday afternoon at the school's 40-year anniversary celebrations.
The school choral choir kept everybody on their feet at the ceremony, as well as performances from a hip hop group and break dancers Lukhanyo Nrongo, Lukhanyo Boma and Athenkosi Dyokoma.
Mothlabane delved into the school's history, explaining that it was established to house the overflow of pupils from Andrew Moyake Public Primary when it reached over 1 000 pupils.
"Teachers at that time had to separate the learners for morning and afternoon classes," he said, until the afternoon scholars were sent to Archie Mbolekwa as of 12 February 1973.
The school was named after Archibald Mbolekwa because he was a good community leader, sportsman, administrator and educationist.
Jonathan Thamsanqa Ntuthu became the first principal.
A former pupil who is now a police colonel in Despatch, Vuyisiwe Tembani, said she could become what she is today because of her Archie Mbolekwa teachers.
"If you keep what you have learnt from this school you will never go wrong," she said.
She encouraged the children to stand strong and read their books.
Chairperson of the School Governing Body Norman Jali took his turn to address the crowd and said he had also been learnt at Archie Mbolekwa.
"The school is nothing without the participation of the parents," he said, adding that they must unite and work together to do what's best for the future of the school.
Five pupils were selected to cut a large cake into slices and read from a birthday card, after singing the national anthem and 'Happy birthday'.
