Dale dining hall named after long-serving staffer
Deputy principal Viwo Nzima honoured for 29 years of loyal service
Dale College has bestowed a special honour on its deputy principal, Viwo Nzima, by naming the dining hall after him.
Nzima, 57, joined the college 29 years ago as a hostel duty master. In nearly three decades at Dale College, he has moved from the hostel to the classroom and from there into a school leadership position.
He said besides being in the classroom teaching science and maths, his passion has always been moulding the young men to become better individuals in the hope that, one day, they will become better people in their communities.
“Knowing that the dining hall has been named after me is such an honour,” said Nzima.
“This was my first job I have never worked anywhere else.”
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch,
the deputy principal recalled the early days of his career at Dale, saying he had always got on well with his colleagues.
As a duty master, he was responsible for the behaviour of the boys, how they wore uniform and how they carried themselves.
Nzima served at the school’s oldest hostel, Frank Joubert hostel, as well as Diocesan hostel, Sutton house, Presby house and also College house.
“A duty master looks after the boys in all aspects.
“You start in the morning with an inspection and you check if their attire is good for school, including their badges and shoes, and then you take them to the dining hall.”
Nzima climbed the ladder and was eventually appointed superintendent at Frank Joubert hostel.
“That means you are a leader of the hostel.
“You not only look after the boys, but also after the duty masters and the ladies who are catering — you are in charge of the entire hostel.
“Anything that happens has to be reported to the headmaster.
“I was a superintendent for 15 years.”
Nzima said it was his love for the job that kept him going.
“I am passionate about everything I do.
“When I am given a job, I do it to my level best.”
He said the best part about leading the hostel was knowing he played a role in educating the boys.
“You mould them and educate them on manners and discipline; those kinds of values, so they can grow, and they grow within that environment.”
He said when he joined the school, he was the first black person hired.
“I knew I was carrying the aspirations of black people because whatever I did and said, I knew I was under a microscope.”
He said the school cultivated a culture of brotherhood among the pupils.
“We taught them that they are not only family, but brothers and it didn’t matter whether they were black or white.”
Nzima said one of his greatest pleasures was seeing boys he had taught doing well in their careers.
“When they come back after 10 years for reunion, you find them coming back with qualifications — some are doctors, or engineers, and knowing that you had an impact, you become really proud,” he said.
I am passionate about everything I do. When I am given a job, I do it to my level best