Tsogo High School

Tsogo High School
Tsogo High School
Location
	Mmakau Village, North West Province; South Africa
Coordinates	25°36′21″S 27°56′42″E / 25.60583°S 27.94500°E
Information
Type	Public, Day Scholars
Established	1975
Principal	Mr. Assi
Grades	7-12
Enrollment	over 700 Students
Color(s)	Green and Gold

Tsogo High School(Tsogo Secondary School) is a public Roman Catholic , English medium, High School located in Mmakau Village, north west of the city of Tshwane, in the North West Province of South Africa. It is primarily run by the Sisters of Mercy

History

Tsogo High School (now Tsogo Secondary School) was founded thirty two years ago. ‘Tsogo’ is a Setswana name meaning ‘Resurrection’. Tsogo is therefore a “Resurrection School” or “New Life School”

Beginning

The story of Tsogo High School begins with the Catholic Sisters of Mercy. The Sisters of Mercy is an Irish Catholic Union of Sisters which dates back to the 1970’s and has amongst other things worked to establish community centres, schools, adult education centres and various centres across the country and globe. The Union has worked for over 30 years to assist and uplift communities through Christianity and philosophies of collectivism and self help.

In 1974 a request was made by the Stigmatine Fathers to establish a foundation and high school in De Wildt, near Brits. The school was to be built in the village of Mmakau. This school was Tsogo High School. In 1975 Tsogo High School was opened with Sr. Majella and Sr Myra as staff. Other staff included Sr. Marylyn, the late priest Fr Michael and Mr. P. Mothata. The Sisters lived in Iona Convent in Pretoria and commuted to the school every day.

Later on Sr M Rita was appointed as principal of the existing Primary school on the Mission. Towards the end of 1976 Sr M Xavier was appointed as the new Superior and she took Sr M Rita's place as principal of the primary school. A small section of the High School building was adapted for use as a Convent and the Sisters moved out to live there. The opening and blessing of the High School took place in April. Sr. Marilyn was appointed to the High School staff at the beginning of the year.

From 1975 to 1976 classes were held in an old school house, the parish industrial centre and two rooms in the adjacent primary school. By 1977 a new school building had been erected at the foot of the scenic Bakgatla hill of NKOPO and was officially opened and blessed by Archbishop Daniel on 12 June 1977. Since then a second storey was added to the school building to accommodate an even growing demand for education by the locals and surrounding areas. The school has also been lucky to secure sponsorship to build a Computer Centre – thanks to generous donors.

Tsogo Today

The school’s campus also houses a primary school, Morekolodi Primary School and a preschool, Motsweding. In addition, the campus houses a community centre, an adult education centre, a church, a health centre, a refugee centre and a convent. The school is housed in a campus that gives learners an opportunity to interact with the community in some activities and therefore gain from social interaction and community work. The school has a small library, computer room, science and biology laboratories and a newly built technology room. All these facilities require upgrading and an addition of other complementary resources.

The school has produced many successful alumni who have gone on to achieve success in their academic undertakings and careers. The majority of learners from the school come from the villages of Mmakau, Bethanie, Hebron and nearby townships of Ga-Rankuwa, Mothutlung, Mabopane and Soshanguve. The community centre, called Mmashiko offers adult education. The community centre, which is adjacent to the school offers classes such as computer literacy, sewing and dressmaking, and bricklaying.