Humans of Bhambayi

This month, as we focus on legacies and heritage, we want to celebrate Mr Khumalo, the principal of Inanda Comprehensive, where many of our Game Changers attend High School. An unsung hero, who daily braves more challenges than any of us can imagine.

He joined the school as an educator in 1991… yes he has been there for 33 years!

Mr Khumalo is a community builder first and foremost, he believes we should empower the individual, which will positively impact the family, which will positively impact the community. With conviction, he states: “This is not my school, this is the community school.”

Bhambayi was a place rife with political unrest, fighting, and violence in 1991. But Mr Khumalo believed that with all that was going on in Bhambayi, the school could be a beacon of hope.

His approach is to keep on moving forward, sticking to the same values and principles. No matter the difficulties or slumps that arise, he will slowly and surely build back morale.

Two things he grieves are:

. The failure of the government to truly prioritise children and their education

. The parents who don’t prioritise their children’s long-term well-being. He said there is a troubling focus on short-term asks, with no contribution towards the long-term building of the school. An example is that children will be sent on an outing in brand new outfits with spending money, but this same amount would never be considered to offer towards building the school and their futures.

Yet, his philosophy is to focus on those who are building and contributing. Those who know not to wait around, but to do their part to create the world they want to live in, the world they want to leave to their children and grandchildren.

Towards the end of our chat, he chuckles and shares that he is getting softer as he grows older. But, he works to maintain respect, that is non-negotiable. No matter the age, position, or gender, respect is for all and from all.

Mr Khumalo is truly building a deep and rich legacy. And many who have part of their heritage in this school are the beneficiaries of that. Two of them are on our team and are a great blessing to the community of Bhambayi. (pictured with Mr Khumalo)

Thank you Mr Khumalo for being a man who builds beyond himself.