The traditional leader from Elliotdale, Chief Goodman Zunguzane, has described the former principal of Putuma Primary School, Babalwa Mtumtum, as the engine of the school who managed to change its classrooms for the better.
Zunguzane said in the farewell function that was held for her in this Primary School last week that Mtumtum had served this school for 24 years, including being a teacher and principal.
He said when she arrived at this school, it consisted of rondavels.
Zunguzane said when they were looking for a principal, community members preferred a man, not a woman.
“It was a big issue because they wanted a man, not knowing that our school would be changed by a woman. Now our school is organising activities and we have a high number of children because of her,” said Zunguzane.
Mtumtum said what she remembers most about Putuma is the drastic change of the school culture that she made, as she managed to change this school to be like an urban school even though it is in a rural area.
She said she received support and co-operation from the members of the school governing body (SGB) and parental involvement.
“Being the South African Society for Co-operative Education (SASCE) national champs winning two gold trophies for two choirs the same year. When it comes to a strong curriculum, teachers from this school were teaching as if they are coming from former model C schools. Students were so fluent, and they would pass with flying colours in high school,” said Mtumtum.
She confirmed that when she started in this school, there were seven rondavels made by mud structure, but she managed to convince parents to build more classrooms.
Mtumtum said she was also helped by the late King of AmaXhosa, King Zwelonke Sigcau, who managed to add three more cad lassrooms.
She confirmed that she resigned with the aim of starting another life in the business sector. Mtumtum is now the director of Bright Future Academy.
