Delving into the archives of golden memories
READING the article on reclaiming the building at Phambili High School took me back to 1957 when we moved to a large old house in Monument Road, next to the school.
After completingGrade 1 at Bellair Primary, I attended Rossburgh School in Grade 2. The acting principal at the time was a Mr Diedricks, who resided in Sarnia Road in Bellair. The house with the tall palms is still there today.
The building in question was mainly used by the Grade 1 and 2 pupils, and even had a deputy principal’s office. Once we completed Grade 2, we were transferred to the “big” school over the road for Grade 3.
It was during this time that they started building a new high school off Titren Road, behind the current testing ground.
When I reached Grade 7, we were transferred to the new school, named Saamwerk High School for Afrikaans-Speaking Pupils.
Phambili (Rossburgh) continued as a school and so was the building in question still part of the school. I did notice at some stage it had become a pre-primary school and assumed it still belonged to the “big” school.
As time went past, I noticed it eventually became vacant and in need of some maintenance, but never gave a thought to what it was being used for. What never changed was the store next door on the corner that we regularly frequented for some good old Wilson’s toffees and to listen to the music played on the jukebox.
I hope they can claim it back and put it to the good use it originally enjoyed.
I wishing Mr Luthuli success in reclaiming such a valuable asset with such a lot of pleasant memories, and putting it to the good use we so desperately need. It is ideally situated on a popular and convenient transport route.
The big house where we lived in Monument Road, next to the school, used to belong to the owner of the old “bull and bush” or Rossburgh Hotel, a certain Mr Dave Panofka, and it, too, eventually became part of the school property.
I still go to the school once a year for the pensioners’ Christmas function. It feels good.