Our Teachers

Seven educators. 117 learners. Each child is known — by name, by handwriting, by which biscuit they would never share.

The team

A small staff who have stayed.

Average years of service at Manana: 11. Several of our teachers were once our learners.

Mrs Matsemela, Principal, smiling warmly in front of a chalkboard

Mrs Matsemela Lebogang Gwendoline

Principal · Grade 4 Mathematics

22 years in education · BEd (NWU) · ACE School Leadership

"You cannot lead a child you have not first listened to."

Mrs Modise, Head of Foundation Phase, holding a Setswana picture book

Mrs Modise Kefilwe

Head of Foundation Phase · Setswana & English

18 years at Manana · Dip. Foundation Phase (Vista) · Reading Intervention specialist

"A child who is told they are clever in Setswana will believe it in English too."

Mr Khumalo, Intermediate Phase, standing at a chalkboard with a meter ruler

Mr Khumalo Sipho

Head of Intermediate Phase · Grade 5–7 Mathematics

14 years at Manana · BEd Intermediate Phase (UJ) · DBE Maths trainer

"Number sense is courage. Build it slowly."

Mr Nkosi, Natural Sciences, in the school garden in late afternoon light

Mr Nkosi Thabo

Natural Sciences & Technology · Grade 6–7 Class Teacher

8 years at Manana · BSc + PGCE (Wits) · School garden lead

"Outside is the textbook. Inside, we just write down what we noticed."

Ms van der Merwe, Life Skills teacher, with a small group at a craft table

Ms van der Merwe Elize

Life Skills · Creative Arts · Choir Director

6 years at Manana · BA Music Ed (NWU) · Funda Wande reading mentor

"Every child has a song. My job is mostly to wait."

Mrs Ntho, Grade 1 teacher, beside a small classroom library

Mrs Ntho Palesa

Grade 1 Class Teacher · School First-Aider

11 years at Manana · Dip. Foundation Phase (Tshwane Univ.) · Provincial First-Aid Level 2

"In Grade 1, we are not teaching reading. We are teaching trust."

Mr Dlamini, Sport & Wellbeing, with a netball under his arm

Mr Dlamini Sandile

Sport & Wellbeing · Grade R Class Teacher

5 years at Manana · BEd Foundation Phase (UNISA) · DBE Sports coach Level 1

"Sports day is just a serious game of trust, played outdoors."

Plus three on-site contributors we cannot do without: Aunty Joyce (NSNP kitchen), Mr Solomon (caretaker & ground keeper), and Sister Beatrice (district counsellor, every Friday).