school
12 October 2006
Premier Sello Moloto led a delegation from Limpopo on a visit to the
Springdale School in New Delhi on 11 October 2006. The entourage was
constituted of the First Lady, Mrs Ramokone Moloto; MEC for Economic
Development, Environment and Tourism, Mr Collins Chabane; MEC for Local
Government and Housing, MEC Maite Nkoana-Mashabane; University of Venda's
Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor Marcus Ramogale and technical support staff
from the province.
Founded by the legendary teacher Mrs Rajni Kumar, the school prides itself
in providing "education for global citizenship". The school is well-known in
educational circles throughout the world for its pioneering role and the
innovative ideas and practices it has introduced into the educational process,
which now forms part of the curriculum in many progressive schools in
India.
The province's visit to the school was the highlight of the latter's "Africa
Week" celebrations. The Limpopo delegation got a taste of foot-thumping song
and dance celebrating South Africa and the continent, heroic poetry and a
detailed report on the achievements of Springdale's student club, the "Africa
Club". The learners mainly Indians and those of African origin sang and
performed a number of classics from South Africa and the national anthems of
the two countries.
Premier Moloto, who obviously enjoyed the cultural performances, spoke of
the ties that bind South Africa and India together. "Though we pay homage to
the Indian legends who have since passed on such as Mahatma Gandhi, Gopal
Krishna Gokhale, President Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, President Indira Gandhi and
many others who supported the anti-apartheid struggle, we also need to reaffirm
your commitment as a school to ensuring that the future leaders of this
country, your learners, grow up with knowledge and resolve to continue with
this legacy. We are humbled by the warm reception you have given us and we are
surely taking this warmth back to Limpopo with us."
The Premier and his delegation visited a number of classes and observed
teachers putting into practice progressive and participative teaching
methodologies.
The school has become one of the most prestigious in New Delhi, highly
sought after by the parents for the education of their wards. What is it that
makes the school different and what is the reason for its popularity, with more
than 5 000 applications received every year for the 300 seats it offers for the
entry class?
To South Africans the reasons are steeped in our history of anti-apartheid
solidarity between India and the then national liberation movement, the African
National Congress (ANC).
The Limpopo delegation's visit to the school follows that of South Africa's
First Lady, Mrs Zanele Mbeki, on her visit to India with President Thabo Mbeki.
"We were so humbled to have been chosen to host the First Lady. Mrs Mbeki
expressed her heart-felt attitude to the school and our Africa Club for the
support given to the ANC during apartheid years. On the occasion she lauded the
work and efforts of our founder principal. She then invited her to South Africa
in March to the inauguration of the Garden of Remembrance, a memorial dedicated
to all the unsung heroes and heroines of the freedom struggle."
Also having visited the school recently are Professor Moses Musounda, High
Commissioner for Zambia in India, Mrs Nguyen Thi Binh, the Vice President of
Vietnam, ambassadors of the State of Palestine and Sudan, Dr Khalid El-Shiekh
and Abdal Mahmood, respectively.
In April this year, the school sent four students to South Africa as part of
a combined student delegation of three schools from India to tour 10 schools in
three provinces including Limpopo. "We are grateful to MEC Nkoana-Mashabane for
giving us this great opportunity to form school linkages with South African
schools in the 10th year of formal diplomatic ties between our two nations,"
said the school's principal.
In the commemorative book, "Dhanyavaad India" (meaning thank you India)
which was published by South Africa's High Commission in India, the school is
credited as having played a role in generating attention for the African
freedom movement.
The cordial relations that exist between the school, Limpopo and South
Africa were summed up by South Africa's former ambassador to India, MEC
Nkoana-Mashabane when she said, "We don't just want to import the Springdale's
model in South Africa but we need this school to open a branch in our
province." Then the learners, teachers, principal and the legendary founder of
the school all ululated.
Contact:
Saul Molobi
Tel: (015) 287 6311
Cell: 083 444 2822
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Limpopo Provincial Government
12 October 2006
