Rotary Club of Pretoria Silverton
The Kutumela Molefi Middle School situated on the farm Swartkoppies to the East of Pretoria, on property originally owned by Sammy Marks, caters for farm workers and their children. The school started off as an informal training centre for the initiation of young people in what was an Induna village. Training was conducted by a Witch Doctor, Kutumela Molefi, after whom the school is named. At the request of the parents, who work on nearby farms, the tribal school was discontinued and Mr Molefi began implementing formal education.
The first class was started in 1940 in a small stone church which was recently demolished. Later two classrooms and basic services were provided by the owner of the property on which the school is located. Educational requirements such as desks, charis, books and teachers were provided by the education authorities. The farm subsequently became the property of the Sammy Marks Trust and further assistance ceased coming from the farm's new Trustees.
The Rotary Club of Pretoria Silverton became involved in 1978 under the leadership of the late Rotarian Keith McCusker when a Community Service project was undertaken to reroof the original two classrooms.
During 1986 the school obtained funds from local industrial companies and two additional classrooms, an office and a store were built. The Club managed the building work, and provided the resources and expertise under the leadership of Rotarian Derek Stedall, an architect.
Since then, Rotarians from several other countries have made contributions to help to the school. The Rotary Club of Aschaffenberg-Schonbush donated $5000 which was used to build a new library. The Rotary Partners, led by Helen McCusker, collected books to stock the library.
A Canadian Rotarian, Frank Branscombe through the Branscombe Foundation, contributed $10000, which was used to build additional classrooms.
The Rotary Club of Los Altos, California, was a recent partner in the provision of a second ablution block, and the Rotary Club of Sariyer, Istanbul, a partner in the provision of an electricity generator, sports equipment, and dictionaries, under World Community Service Project WO3651.
These contributions have been managed by the Club, with hands-on involvement by Club work parties, and funding provided by the Club, international Rotary partner clubs, and Rotary Foundation matching grants.
With some 400 scholars, the school is functioning well under its Principal, Esau Matlala. It continues to be supported by the Rotary Club of Pretoria Silverton,
Pretoria Silverton sponsored the formation of an Interact Club at the school during 1999.
