Nomhle Mbenenge, principal at Dalubuhle Primary School in Franschhoek, recently invited all the mothers from the community to attend an information session about breast cancer.
The word “cancer” is not as commonly known in her community, nor is the support that can be available and is offered to families that are challenged by this severe illness.
A large number of mothers from her school community attended the information session hosted by the Cansa Regional Office in Paarl. For most of them it was the first time that they had been exposed to such information and service.
This and many other planned activities are part of Mbenenge’s vision to increase parent engagement as well as their relationship with the school, with management.
The idea is to empower her school community with information, knowledge and skills so everyone can work together as a community, in the best interest of the learners and for their well-being.
Mbenenge was born in Paarl and was one of 10 siblings. Her primary education was pursued at Langabuya Primary School, Mbekweni, Mbekweni Primary School and Siyazingisa Primary in Guguletu, Cape Town, and her secondary education at Nozala Junior Secondary and Phumlani High School in Lady Frere.
She trained as a primary school teacher at Good Hope College in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, followed by studies at the University of Western Cape, the then RAU (now the University of Johannesburg) and Stellenbosch University.
Her school, Dalubuhle Primary, was originally based in Wemmershoek. In 1994, after many parents had expressed unhappiness over the distance learners had to walk to school, the department of education relocated the school to Franschhoek, where it was renamed.
Mbenenge has 26 years’ teaching experience and has been principal at Dalubuhle Primary School for 21 years.
She has the enormous task of leading a school community that faces many challenges. It accommodates around 780 learners.
“My vision for Dalubuhle Primary is to be a crime-free school,” Mbenenge said, “derived from a community that takes ownership of its school, keeps the school safe from vandalism, a safe school that is well fenced (the school fence was stolen).”
She would also like to have sufficient sports facilities to develop learners holistically, and provide future sports careers for learners who aren’t coping academically as well as a functional learning centre with ample resources and facilities to accommodate overcrowding.
“As the principal I have decided to focus on restoring the dignity of my parent community,” Mbenenge says, “enabling my parent community with relevant information and skills to become self-empowered and self-sufficient in order to take up its role as active citizens in the community and school.”
She participates in Partners for Possibility leadership development programme, and has established various partnerships with other role-players, NGOs and businesses, which offer various services, learning opportunities and skills.
