The Mpumalanga Department of Education mourns the passing on of the former principal of Nkomazi High School; Mr Wycliffe Vikizitha Mtshali who met his untimely death on 30 May 2009 after a short illness.
The late Mr Vikizitha Wycliffe Mtshali was born in Piet Retief on 2 July 1946, to the late Mr Alfred Hlamvana Mtshali and his late wife Winstance Themba.
He got married to Doreen Mtshali (nee Pieterse) on January 1973. He was a principal of Inkomazi High School from 1979 to 1985. He was thereafter appointed as a Circuit Inspector 1986 to 1992.
In 1993, he was appointed as Assistant Director for Psychological and Guidance Services in Ka Ngwane Government.
Mr Mtshali was amongst the first pioneers in the formation of the Mpumalanga Provincial Department of Education in 1994.
From 1994 to 1999 Mr Mtshali worked as an official co-ordinating special educational needs and participating in laying down the policy framework for the inception of inclusive specialist and was instrumental in the wider expansion of the new responsibilities such as life skills, HIV and AIDS programmes career guidance special schools, social and psychological services, learning matters. He also wrote a book entitled “our safety and security.”
When the department moved from Middleburg to Nelspruit, Mr V M Mtshali proved his leadership skills in successfully relocating and establishing the inclusive education sub-directorate under the newly approved organogram of the department. He coordinated the international programs namely South African Finnish Cooperation in the Education Sector (SCOPE). And by the time he left the department eighty schools were fully integrated into inclusive education schools.
In his rather quiet manner Mr Mtshali was like a river that may look calm on the surface yet its depths contained very strong currents. He epitomised calmness and humour emboed with determination that was noticed with the forward movement of the work in which he was dedicated.
He served in that position until 2005 when he took his retirement package.
The late Mtshali had obtained a Diploma in Education from University of Zululand; BA Honours degree in the field of Psychology from the University of Zululand; He also completed a Masters degree in the Rand Afrikaans University currently known as the University of Johannesburg. His dissertation was on management of curriculum implementation: implication for school effectiveness.
Some of his products includes Dr John Tibane, Pastor Petros Mdaka, Mr Again Maugane, Mr MJ Lushaba, the Mayor of Emakhazeni Municipality, Councillor Linkie Mohlala; former MEC Fish Mahlalela, current MEC for Education, Mrs Reginah Mhaule.
He is survived by his beloved wife Doreen, his four sons and one daughter.
The Memorial and Funeral services are scheduled as follows:
Memorial Service
Date: 3 June 2009
Venue: Ehlanzeni Region (Former Mgwenya College)
Time: 12h00
Funeral Service
Date: 6 June 2009 (Saturday)
Venue: Piet Retief
Time: 8h00
Once more, the department takes this opportunity to extend its profound condolences to the family, colleagues and friends.
May his soul rest in peace!
Issued by: Department of Education, Mpumalanga Provincial Government
2 June 2009
