Role model educator served profession with distinction
BORN: 1933
DIED: January 22 2017
FUNERAL: January 27 2017
BURIAL: Nasrec Cemetery
THE education fraternity in South Africa and the community of Protea North in Soweto are mourning the death of Charles Bhekifa Mtshali as they recall his sterling role in professional development. He was a seasoned educator for many schools in Soweto.
He first taught at Lilydale, Pimville Bantu School and later at Musi High School in Soweto, where he became principal. He died last Sunday at Lenmed hospital in Lenasia, south of Johannesburg, after a long illness.
He loved music and was a choir master, an activity that earned him the nickname “Tuata”, after the organisation which organised choral music competitions.
He was loved by colleagues and students alike. During the most difficult days under apartheid, student organisations sought guidance from him to execute their campaigns.
Mtshali was born in 1933 in old Pimville, where he also attended primary and secondary school. He did his teaching diploma in Middelburg, then Eastern Transvaal, and started his teaching career in the late 1950s.
He loved sport and was a big supporter and an official of Pimville United Brothers Football Club.
He took time off in the early 1980s to further his studies at Fort Hare University in the Eastern Cape.
He ploughed back his newly acquired knowledge and skills to his community.
He later left the classroom but served education as a schools district manager for the south of Johannesburg.
After retirement he was asked by the department of education to help in curriculum matters, which he executed with distinction.
He was a staunch Anglican and loved his church dearly.
Mtshali leaves behind his wife Nompumelelo Margaret Mtshali and their five children – Blessing, Mpumi, Bheki, Nhlanhla and Zinzi.
His funeral today will be held at the Anglican Church in Rockville, Soweto, at 8am.