THEMBELISHA PREPARATORY CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE

Thembelisha Preparatory School, owned by the Royal Eswatini Sugar Corporation (RES Corporation), celebrated a major milestone on Friday, 17 October 2026, marking 20 years of academic excellence, holistic development and community service.

The colourful anniversary celebration was held at the school’s Senior Campus in Simunye and brought together learners, teachers, parents, former students and management of RES Corporation for a day of pure joy. The campus was transformed into a children’s paradise, with learners engaging in a variety of activities including kids’ games, acting, singing, dancing, swimming, horse riding, bike riding and many other fun-filled experiences. 

The celebration was not just about fun and games, but a reflection on two decades of shaping young minds. 

Speaking during the event, Principal Kathryn Dlamini, who joined the school in May 2026, said the anniversary spoke volumes about the tradition and values that define Thembelisha. 

“We celebrate 20 years of Thembelisha. I have been here since May 2026 and I think today spoke to the tradition and values that Thembelisha has. The staff are amazing, the children speak for themselves by achieving a lot out there. The school is a school of excellence. Thembelisha is supported by the Royal Eswatini Sugar Corporation and most of the kids’ parents are RES Corporation employees. We are here to thrive, to do better and continue to excel as a school,” she said. 

For a school that operates across three campuses, unity has been its greatest strength. Head of Department Mduduzi Nhlengentfwa explained that Thembelisha is unique in its structure. 

“Thembelisha is the first school that has three campuses with one Headteacher who is working with HODs. That makes it easy for us to be one team which is united. The school has improved and we are proud about that. You can tell from the achievements of the school, the fact that we are one team,” he said. 

That achievement was echoed by Phindile Mngomezulu, a teacher who has been with the school for the full 20 years. She said Thembelisha has consistently put itself on the national map through outstanding results. 

“We have got quite good results that have put the school on the map. We usually get position one or two in the country. Some of our students are out around the globe and they are doing very well for themselves,” she said. 

Veteran teacher Yvonne Dlamini reflected on the journey, challenges and resilience that have defined the school’s growth over the years. 

“It has been a journey when you look at where we are and where we are coming from. The school has been run by different Principals and having different staff. You try to learn this one and they go, a new one comes and you have to adapt fast and that was the biggest challenge. But what I like is that everyone always tries to fit in and work as a team and become a winning team because it is about the students,” she said. 

Parents also paid tribute to the school’s impact. Bandzile Maseko, whose three children have gone through Thembelisha, said he chose the school because of its ability to build confidence from an early age. 

“I chose Thembelisha because it is a good school. What I learnt is that every kid that went through Thembelisha is always confident. I think it is a school that is able to build confidence as early as Grade R. They are able to express themselves, to express how they feel,” he said. 

Adding glitz to the occasion was former learner Grak Dlamini, now an MC, musician and actor, who returned as the Master of Ceremonies for the celebration. 

“It brings memories when I walk into the school. I think I went to the best primary school in the world. Coming back here, I feel I could go back to school. Thembelisha helped build the man I am today. That was unlocked by the teachers, for example Teacher Dlamini, a Maths teacher, I thought she hated me but she was helping, she was always there to help. All the teachers are so helpful. I am here today because of Thembelisha,” he said. 

As Thembelisha Preparatory School closes its 20th chapter, the message from Simunye was clear: a legacy built on excellence, discipline and teamwork, with eyes firmly set on an even brighter future.