Gangsterism and violence did not deter these diligent matrics
At Manenberg High School in Cape Town, school principal Cameron Williams told Daily Maverick: “I want them to be successful.” In 2020, at the height of Covid-19, the school had a pass rate of 30%. In 2021, the pass rate stood at 57.3%. The 2022 pass rate was 76.0%. This achievement was praised by the Western Cape Education Department, as the school was ranked second among the most improved schools in the province.
Although this year’s class only managed a pass rate of 65%, Williams was proud of that because gangsterism, violence and unemployment are rife in the area.
Williams comes from Manenberg and has taught at the school since 1980.
Despite retiring in 2019, he was called back to become the acting principal. He has stayed on since then, but his current contract at the school will end on 31 March.
Williams admitted he is a disciplinarian and said he believes that, when discipline is established, “everything else will just fall in place”.
His leadership style is based on discipline and respect.
He views the system as a triangle – with learners at the top and parents and teachers at the base, providing support. His plan for the class of 2024 is for a pass rate that exceeds the 2022 rate of 76%. “We must topple the class at the top.”
He said a parent meeting was planned for Saturday 20 January to give parents and teachers the chance to talk about expectations and responsibilities for 2024.
From 1 February, Williams has instructed the matrics to come to school half an hour before the official starting time, to allow for more teaching and learning.
This, he said, is not negotiable: “They’re going to have a long school day.”
He will even see to it that the learners receive food.
“My ultimate aim is that this school must get to 100%,” he said.
One major challenge experienced by learners across the Western Cape in 2023 was a devastating taxi strike. At its height, the Western Cape Education Department said there was an absenteeism rate of 71%. Williams said the strike did not affect too many Manenberg High School matrics because many lived within walking distance of the school.
But there were instances when teachers needed to pick up learners who were stranded – not only because of the strike, but because of gangsterism in the area.
Williams refers to gangsters as “stakeholders” in education– because, ultimately,the children of gangsters also attend the school.
“I don’t condone what they’re doing… but I also can’t tell them what they must do – that is for some other department to sort out,” said Williams.
“I just want the learners to get the necessary education and to be here for the entire school day”.