User:Xolani Gumede

= St Christopher Primary School =

St Christopher Primary School is public school located at Doesberg Road, Sakhamkhanya Area, the town of KwaDukuza in KwaZulu-Natal. It’s inception was in 19__ with Miss Thokozile Zincume as its first principal. Miss Magwaza was next in line with Mrs Ellen Gumede taking over from the 1st April 1977 to December 1990.

History
The name of the school is derived from the local Anglican Church parish where it was accommodated up to 1989. The school was evicted at the end of that year. Fortunately, the late Mr Enos Robert Gumede had donated a site whereon the school would be erected but funds could not be obtained. For the 5½ years the school operated under the trees, in the garage and the verandah of the Gumede household. A difficult situation indeed especially when the weather was inclement. Not conducive to good teaching and learning. But educators would not be deterred. They pressed harder and harder. The conditions were gloomy but the results were magnificent.

The late Rev. McDonald volunteered to supply mealie-meal and chicken on a monthly basis – that way scholars were motivated to attend. Once a month we would have chicken curry and rice from Tootla family of Stanger. A further incentive! Then came the breakthrough. The late Mr. and Mrs. Stuart of New Guelderland, that benevolent couple of philanthropists came to the party. Initially erecting five classes, an office block, toilets for boys and girls and six water tanks. Then two later, adding classroom hall. Meantime the enrolment was steadily growing same with the staff, classes increased from Standard 3 – Standard 5 (Grade 5 – Grade 7).

Then Mrs Ellen Gumede had to retire at the end of 1990. In 1991 she was replaced by the energetic, enterprising and skilful young man, B. J. Hadebe. He introduced various exciting methods of teaching and the school grew from strength to strength retaining the good discipline and neat premises.