History
Healdtown
is located in the heart of rural South Africa, in the Eastern Cape Province.
Ideally set in surroundings of picturesque terrain that’s characterized by
both rugged and rolling hills, the school still commands a majestic presence
despite looting, vandalism and other ravages of time. It is a school that
carries a banner of high distinction in the annals of South African educational
history.
The site on which Healdtown is situated was identified and chosen by the Rev. Henry Calderwood of the London Missionary Society in 1845. It possesses a fountain whose water source lies in deep rock. It is reputed never to run dry nor is it affected ever by changes in weather. These waters are reported to gush most abundantly when the need is greatest.
Founded as a center for Methodist Missionary work and the cultivation of literacy amongst the people inhabiting the land that lay within an extensive perimeter of where the missionaries had established, Healdtown quickly grew to become one of South Africa’s foremost institutions of learning. The school was very successful in transforming the lives of many people across the Eastern Cape, using sophisticated strategies of weaving together academics, applied arts, and music, in the preparation of students and teachers for effective community service. Beginning modestly as an industrial school in 1852, the first academic classes were inaugurated within the next three years in conjunction with industrial training.
The paramount objective was that Healdtown graduates, as Christians, would be proficient in the cultivation, communication and practice of enlightened approaches to community development. Therefore, they would fan across the nation and beyond, in fulfillment of their goals. Over time, the school attracted students from as far north as Central Africa. For about one hundred fifty years, Healdtown enjoyed a magnificent reputation of being the largest and one of the most advanced African residential schools south of the Limpopo River. Many students would return to their home communities on completion of their studies, while others ventured farther afield in pursuit of their destinies.
The school was eminently successful at meeting its lofty ideals since, for the next century or so it consistently produced large numbers of high caliber school teachers, school administrators, church ministers, lay preachers, public administrators, and skilled artisans.
A major and devastating setback came in the 1980’s to early 90’s when Healdtown had to close down having fallen victim to the widespread and systematic repressive measures from the forces of Apartheid. The dire circumstances in which the school finds itself today can be attributed in large measure, and quite directly, to the tyranny of that era.
In
its heyday of creativity and achievement, Healdtown encouraged her students to
take full advantage of opportunities to study further in professional fields and
disciplines beyond those offered at the school. Some chose medicine (doctors and
nurses) while a few went into law. Some pursued theological studies
becoming ministers of religion while others selected careers in the public service.
Today, Healdtown is able to celebrate many prominent
African leaders as products of the school. To illustrate, following is a handful
of those whose names might be
better known:
q Marcia Pumla Denalane (nee Finca) – A social worker who displayed a deep concern for the well-being of the disadvantaged. She founded a child day care centre for the mentally handicapped in Soweto. It was subsequently named ‘Pumla Day-Care’ in her honour. She travelled to the United States in 1965 to pursue further studies. Upon completing her studies she took up employment in New York City as both teacher and social welfare worker. In 1983 she was accorded a prestigious recognition by inclusion in the year's Miss Who’s Who In America.
q
Rev. James Mata Dwane – Outstanding theological leader
who is credited with being a founding father of the South African Anglican Church's Order of Ethiopia.
He is best known for having amalgamated that Order with the American Methodist
Episcopal Church (AME). This was done after he had traveled to the U.S. in
1896 and met with Bishop Turner of the A.M.E. who assisted him greatly in that
effort.
q John Tengo Jabavu – Founder of the first African newspaper, Imvo Zabantsundu. He was an intellectual who articulated the concerns of the African people in a most emphatic and effective manner. Being charismatic, he was able to inspire young people to high academic aspiration. He was the only African member of the first governing council of Fort Hare.
q Dr. Govan Mbeki, 1910-2001 - Father of Thabo, South Africa’s second president after the birth of the new South Africa. Govan was a magnificent stalwart in the relentless pursuit of liberation for the subjugated in South Africa. He conceived of South africa’s peasantry as the warp and woof of the Nation, an indestructible fabric that would display proudly the essence of Africanness while sheltering and nourishing her progeny for all time. Hence, he devoted a substantial amount of his energies to providing them with an enlightened leadership in practical and intellectual enterprises. He was imprisoned along with Nelson Mandela on Robben Island for a quarter of a century.
q
Reverend Seth Mokitimi - First African president of the
Methodist Church of South Africa. He was renowned for his dynamic sermons and
exquisite skills in dealing with social problems and issues. His sermons have
been published.
q
Chief Edward Molotlegi - A focused visionary and
traditional leader of the Bafokeng people who successfully resisted government
attempts to wrest mineral rights to the platinum mined in their territory. He
suffered the emotional and physical pain of exile as a result.
q Mrs. Phyllis Mzayidume - First Travelling Secretary of the YWCA and worked with Mrs. Xuma (wife of Dr. A.B. Xuma) at the International YWCA.
q
Dr. William F. Nkomo - A member of the first class of
African medical school graduates from Wits University. He established a
secondary school in Pretoria, and was a founding member of the African National
Congress Youth League. A dynamic public speaker and lay church leader, his voice
has been heard in many parts of Asia, Europe, North America and Africa.
q Dr. Caroline Nompozolo - First female African doctor in South Africa who motivated women to high aspiration by being a successful medical practitioner herself and being deeply involved in social as well as health issues.
q Professor Robert Sobukhwe - Founder and first president of the Pan-African Congress of South Africa. His intellectual prowess, visionary acuity, and leadership skills became patently evident at Healdtown when he was yet a student there. He dared challenge the sincerity of a White politician who had claimed to represent Black people’s interests while deliberately maintaining a distinct physical and emotional aloofness. Later, he was imprisoned for life by the Apartheid government.
q Dumile Kondile - High Court Judge.
q
Mr. Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela - Foremost international
statesman whose twenty-seven year imprisonment epitomized resistance to
political oppression. He is justifiably credited for having saved South Africa
from a cataclysmic downfall in the process of political change, by his advocacy
of “ Forgiveness and Reconciliation.” He continues to work tirelessly for an
improved climate of peace, goodwill, caring and sharing around the world.
q Mr Raymond Mhlaba - Former Premier of the Eastern Cape.
q Professor Loyiso Nongxa - Mathematician, Principal and Vice-Chancellor Wits University.
q Ms Joyce Piliso-Seroke - Chairperson of the Gender Commission
q Louis Skweyiya - High Court Judge.