There was once a time when walking down the historic hallways of New Brighton’s two biggest high schools and bumping into John Kani, Dan Qeqe or Sipho Pityana was the norm.
Little did the pupils and their peers realise that seated in the classrooms and corridors of Newell and Cowan High schools in the mid 1900s were some of the most influential activists, athletes, performers, politicians and business people that SA would produce.
Newell High School was established in 1942 and was the first the school in the township which started out with just six pupils using a church in Mtimka Street as their venue.
The school has since moved to Jolobe Street and grown exponentially to house 1,195 pupils and 31 teachers.
However, despite the growth of both the school and New Brighton, some aspects remain the same, according to Principal Zamuxolo Mapakati.
“Most parents then were not able to take their children to boarding schools and Newell closed that gap by affording them a chance to learn,” Mapakati said.
“It was also to encourage each pupil to achieve his or her individual best whether it be in the classroom or on the field.
“It is the same principals we strive to achieve with our pupils today.”
A stone’s throw away in Madala Street, Cowan High School is pursuing a similar vision of developing holistic individuals and has continued to strive for excellence since its establishment in 1946.
Principal Qaqambile Ngcayi said the school initially afforded less than 500 pupils with schooling in the mid-1900s and has since expanded to accommodate 1,352 pupils and 40 teachers.
The majority of the schools growth occurred under the leadership of prominent educator and local leader, Frank Tonjeni, who was at he helm from 1970-1994.
“The school, its educators and pupils, are all proud of the legacy that has followed the institution.
It has and continues to play a pivotal role in the development of the entire area and its people.
“It is something that is acknowledged by the residents and often you will find that people will come ask teachers for guidance and assistance in a lot more than school-related matters,” Ngcayi said.
One such community leader and teacher at the school for the past 37 years is Vatiswa Mapela, who is also a former Cowan pupil that attended the school from 1974.
Mapela said while many aspects of schooling had changed over the decades, a few traits remained steadfast, like discipline.
“The school has always taken the time to understand their pupils as individuals with their own potential.
“And even from when I was a pupil it [Cowan High] has prided itself on harnessing that potential for [pupils] to become the best version of themselves,” she said.
Some of the prominent figures who attended the two institutions include Mkhuseli Jack, Nceba Faku, Kani, Qeqe, Dumile Mateza, Prof Barney Pityana, Sipho Pityana, Nomsa Nkonyeni, and Sheperd Mati, as well as the first Nelson Mandela Bay victim of the 1976 student uprising, Nomvume Mnyazi, to name a few.
While like most other township schools, both Cowan and Newell are struggling with overcrowded classrooms, infrastructure issues, and a general lack of funding.
But the pair have been fortunate enough to acquire certain sponsorships which allow them to keep their vision of one day being “paperless” schools alive.
Both have partnered with Jendamark and Odin and received tablets and training for grade 11 and matric pupils which is set to continue expanding.
HeraldLIVE
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