Thekwane High School (Qondani Ekukhanyeni) – Celebrating 100 years of Providing Quality Education
It was a hype of activities at Thekwane High School as the people from all walks of life gathered to celebrate 100 years of existence on the 20th of July 2024. Thekwane High School (formerly Tegwani Boys School) was started by the Rev. Herbert Carter on 12th May 1924, with six pupils in Standards 1 to 4. Rev. Carter was the superintendent of Tegwani Circuit from 1919 to 1931. He had served for a year in Northern Rhodesia before he was sent to Tegwani, while still a probationer. He stayed there long enough to build up the circuit and to begin and develop the Institution. At the beginning, the boarding school consisted of a two-roomed cottage and three round huts. The staff consisted of Mr. Carter and an African evangelist. By August 1924 a total of 19 boarders were resident at Tegwani, half of whom were in Standard 2.
As the church looked back into the institution’s footsteps, what could be seen within those footsteps is the grace of God that has taken the institution to greater heights such that it produced generations of prominent figures in the socio-economic, political and religious landscape of Zimbabwe. Tens of thousands of academics were produced by Thekwane High School hence the reason to give glory unto God for guiding all the activities of this institution for the past one hundred years, and we have the conviction that the God who will ever finish what He has started (Philippians 1:6) will continue to guide the institution to further greater heights. The guest of Honour at the event was the Minister of Defence, Honourable Oppah Muchinguri, who was representing the President of Zimbabwe His Excellency Cde Emmerson D. Mnangagwa.
The centenary celebrations also served as an opportunity to officially dedicate the plaque that was raised in memory of the institution founder, Revd Herbert Carter. On the plaque it is written “A loyal Methodist great visionary and adventurous man, his life was a candle which lit many more candles along the way bringing them to light hence the motto ‘go ye unto the light’.” This was incorporated with the centenary plaque commemorating 100 years of providing quality education.
The main entrance gate was also officially opened at the same event by the Presiding Bishop Revd George T. Mawire. The community leaders as well as the church leadership and ministers were also present to join the celebrations and pledging their support to the church’s endeavour to continue offering quality education. In her appreciation speech, the Bishop of Bulawayo District Revd Pauline Chauya had this to say, “Thank you all from all the corners of the nation for supporting Thekwane High School, may we keep on supporting the school for the betterment of the future, as Methodist Church in Zimbabwe, church members, ministers and the church leadership who have gathered here; we register our appreciation”.
Thus far the Lord has taken Thekwane High School, but this is not the end. Greater things are in store and many more achievements are going to be realized by the institution as it leads and invites people to head towards the light. “Qondani ekukhanyeni!”
By Revd A. Mpaso & Revd O. Chagudhuma
