Motto
"Whatever You Do, Do It Well"
This motto is premised on the school untiring efforts in pursuit of excellence academically as well as in sporting and cultural activities.
Background
Literally translated; Zulukandaba means Zulu (Rain) ka (of) Ndaba (News). A more insightful translation means revisiting the genealogical history of the Royal Zulu Tribe.
The Zulus believe the founding ancestor of their peoples was Malandela who legend believes flew from North Africa in an Isilulu (Balloon) and landed in South Africa. North Africa is long thought to have been the cradle of mankind. While in South Africa it is believed that he had a son Ndaba who later on had two sons Qhwabe and Zulu. It is the latter Zulu son of Ndaba who became the founding father of the Zulu tribe while the former founded the Mthethwa tribe.
It is after Zulu the son of Ndaba that sees the emergence of a strong and powerful Zulu nation- The Zulu State (Amazulu). Rich in military history, this state saw the rise of powerful military generals such as Tshaka Zulu among others. United in one language siZulu the name of the state, the people and language were all derived from Zulu son of Ndaba who became thence titled as Zulukandaba.
The passage of time has seen the name evolve even further and it has now metamorphosed to mean and refer to the generality of the people, particularly the Zulu and their fellow kith and kin the Ndebele who they have close historical links with. The reason for this metamorphosis was in recognition of Zulu and Ndaba the founding ancestors of a nation by their descendants.
Consequent to this amazing historical legacy of the two great founding ancestors of large populations of Southern Africa, Zulukandaba Primary School was thus built to cater for UZulu; the people. This has epitomised the principles of Zulukandaba Primary to their surrounding community, of bringing the people together and uniting them in the same way in which Zulukandaba did, but this time for unparalleled educational excellence all round
Date of Establishment
The school which was established on IMay1992 is located on Stand Number 33767 Entumbane Suburb adjacent to the Entumbane station of the Zimbabwe Republic Police along Nyembezane Road in Ward Ten of the Reigate District. The school is approximately 5km west from the Central Business District of the City of Bulawayo. Its location in Entumbane Suburb is historically symbolical, Entumbane is a name derived from the final resting place of King Mzilikazi the founding father of the Ndebele people who came from Zululand at the height of the Mfecane wars close the mid-19th Century.
School Enrolment and Staffing
The table below is indicative of the enrollment and staffing levels of the school from its inception right up to the current levels.
Enrollment
Grade | 01.05.92 | 01.05.10 | |
---|---|---|---|
1 | M | 71 | 75 |
F | 71 | 63 | |
2 | M | 56 | 78 |
F | 75 | 61 | |
3 | M | 57 | 66 |
F | 80 | 59 | |
4 | M | 66 | 56 |
F | 84 | 46 | |
5 | M | 58 | 43 |
F | 74 | 45 | |
6 | M | 64 | 67 |
F | 83 | 60 | |
7 | M | 0 | 44 |
F | 0 | 59 | |
ECD | M | 0 | 38 |
F | 0 | 22 | |
Grand Total | M | 372 | 467 |
F | 467 | 415 | |
839 | 882 |
At its inception in May 1992 the school drew pupils from surrounding schools in Entumbane suburb and thus there were no Grade Sevens enrolled in its initial year. The enrollment of the school has over the years decreased as compared to the years preceding its inception.
Year | Male | Female | Total |
---|---|---|---|
May 1992 | 8 | 14 | 22 |
May 2010 | 3 | 20 | 23 |
From the period 22 September 2008 saw the school come under the stewardship of a female Head for the first time since its inception in 1992. The Headmistress and her competent staff offer a wide curriculum that is consonant with the Zimbabwe Primary Schools curriculum of subjects including; Mathematics, English, Ndebele, Social Studies, Environmental Studies, Religious and Moral Education, Physical Education, Art and Craft, Music, Home Economics and AIDS Education.
Added to this rich curriculum Zulukandaba Primary also offers a wide array of Sporting disciplines and Cultural activities these are also offered at Cluster level and they include:
Football, Netball, Rugby, Cricket, Athletics, Heritage Quiz, Public Speaking, Drama, Music and Drum Majorettes. The school has scored notable feats of achievement in the process claiming several accolades which has seen it in the ascendancy over schools established much earlier than itself.
The students of Zulukandaba have shone like a beacon in not only academic excellence but also in various extra-curricular activities. Below is a year on year catalogue of some of those achievements:
Zulukandaba Primary School is a closely knit family which has a wonderful rapport with members of the support staff. Idealising the spirit of Ubuntu has been instrumental in ensuring that not only does the job get done expeditiously but also in a mutually beneficial and harmonious environment. Made out of both professional and non-professional staff there is a qualified bursar and Clerk, caretaker and Messenger as well as two Grounds staff. The roles of these key support staff are spelt out clearly.
Clerical Staff
Messenger
Role of Council In The Administration
The city fathers built the school and procured all the requisite material for the classrooms and administration offices. They determine the council levies to be paid. They employ and deploy all the support staff to the school and are responsible for the payment of all non-teaching staff. Council also pays for all services and other amenities such as Water, telephone bill, maintenance, sustenance and reparations of toilets, window panes and burst pipes. The council processes school requisitions, assists in budgetary matters of the school; they also assist in renovations and supplying educational and cleaning materials.
They also superintend over all matters that may affect the smooth running of the school.
They are an arm of the council who complement the authority with funds for minor and long term projects; they provide a float for immediate school term needs. The P.T.A also identifies needy and less fortunate children who may need financial assistance under the auspices of BEAM who have an impartial selection committee tasked with assisting these children and their families.
Zulukandaba Primary School continues to grapple with numerous challenges that were largely related to the economic meltdown affecting the country. These have over the years constrained service delivery. Some of these challenges are:
Projections for The Future
Zulukandaba aspires to continue being a trendsetter of quality standards overall and has road mapped several projections for the future and these include: