The parents of Matjana Preschool students elected a new committee to govern the school on February 5, 2008. The eight member committee includes six parents and seven local residents. In addition Myxo Mdluli, who operates a tourism business “Woza Nawe Tours” in the local area and provides the school’s classroom, was re-elected to the committee.
The committee members and their positions are:
Chairperson: Myxo Mdluli (local businessman)
Vice-Chairperson: Siphiwe Vilakati (Kaphunga resident and mother of Andile)
Secretary: Ncobile Mbonane (Kaphunga resident and preschool teacher)
Treasurer: Phindile Nkabinde (Kaphunga resident and mother of Lindokuhle)
Grounds and Maintenance Coordinator: Nomsa Dlamini (Kaphunga resident and grandmother of Coliswa)
Events Coordinator: Celiwe Gamedze (Kaphunga resident and mother of Sandile)
General Members: Fikile Tsabedze (Kaphunga Resident and mother of Sibongiseni) and Bonsile Sibandze (Kaphunga Resident and mother of ??)
When asked why they became involved in the committee the members reported that it was because they were elected by their peers. They said they wanted to be involved because they are pleased with the educational opportunities Matjana Preschool has provided and wish to ensure it continues operating
Graduation day 2007
EVENT: Inaugral Matjana Preschool Graduation Day
DATE: 30 Nov 2008
VENUE: Matjana Preschool
LOCATION: Ndabeni, Kaphunga, Rural Swaziland
Preschool Graduation is a big deal in Swaziland, a country where many children never get the opportunity to graduate from high school or university.
Matjana Preschool’s first graduation ceremony was no exception to this fine tradition! There was lots of singing, dancing, performing, eating and, it wouldn’t be a graduation ceremony without…miniature graduation gowns.
Teachers and children spent weeks preparing plays and practicing dances to perform for parents on the day. The kids did a great job learning their lines and dance moves, but despite a whole year of preschool, they couldn’t quite get their heads around the concept of sitting still and shutting up when they weren’t performing!
Parents (and children) arrived early on the day to prepare a feast- by 6am the fire was raging, rice was boiling and chicken feathers flying. By noon a feast fit for a king had been prepared.
The kids made there grand entrance at ten and spent two and a half hours singing, performing short plays and dancing traditional Swazi style, before donning the gowns and collecting their graduation certificates.
It was a great day for everyone involved. Sixteen children graduated and three will return next year. We look forward to seeing many more classes graduate from Matjana Preschool in the future!