By Mmillili Tapela
In the heart of the African savannah, amidst the majestic Mopani and Amarula trees where the sun sets in a fiery glow, lies the backdrop of my cherished childhood.
My late father, Senator Lutho Addington Tapela, served as the esteemed Headmaster of Thekwane High School from 1990 to 2000. This institution was not only a place of academic learning but also a nurturing ground for dreams and future aspirations.
Growing up as the headmaster’s son, I roamed the school grounds freely, considering the entire campus as my personal playground. The sporting facilities, entertainment venues, library, and even the surrounding wilderness were at my disposal. Alongside fellow teachers’ children, we gleefully chased after the buzzing Nyeza and savoured the delicious Inhlwa during the rainy season.
Sundays held a special charm as my father led the choir, filling the air with the melodious tunes of “Amazing Grace” sung by the students.
As Thekwane High School prepares for its centenary celebrations, commemorating its pivotal role in Methodist church history in Zimbabwe and intellectual development, I reflect on the unique experiences that defined my formative years.
While many fondly recall their student days, my memories shape the essence of my upbringing and transition to adulthood. It was within those walls that I witnessed my first performance of “Romeo and Juliet,” observing students strolling arm in arm along lovers’ lane, instilling in me a belief in enduring love. Equally memorable were the disciplinary antics of my father, reminiscent of Tom and Jerry, brandishing a Benson burner pipe in the pursuit of order.
The school’s echoing hallways and whispering fields held countless mysteries waiting to be unravelled. The dedicated teachers, who not only educated but also nurtured me, like Ndema, KV Ndlovu, Dupute, and Mandazi, imparted invaluable lessons in diversity and tolerance. Through these relationships, I forged enduring connections with Thekwane High School alumni, such as Zenzele Ndebele, Hon Phuthi, Lenin Ndebele, and the late DD (Dumiso Dabengwa), among others.
My mischievous adventures on the school’s extensive estate inspired a passion for farming, leading my family to establish agricultural interests in the village. I envision this venture contributing to the economic sustainability of the school for centuries to come. This chapter of my life, still unfolding, narrates the story of a boy who dared to dream beyond his village’s confines, embodying courage, laughter, and the transformative influence of education on shaping a brighter future.
As we jubilantly celebrate the school’s 100 years, a tribute to my father’s legacy and contributions to its growth, I look ahead to the next chapter with anticipation.
Congratulations, Matjena, Amhlophe!
General Milz
Mmillili Tapela, son of former Headmaster Senator Lutho Tapela, is a respected Development Practitioner currently pursuing a Master’s in Agriculture and Rural Development at the University of East Anglia, United Kingdom.
