A BIG FIRST
Luyanda Mazibuko, 17, has become the first black head girl of St Henry’s Marist College, Durban.
The head pupils were announced last week at the school’s awards ceremony.
She is joined by Devon Murphy, who will be head boy. St Henry’s has been co-ed since 1996.
Luyanda told The Mercury yesterday that the decision was a step in the right direction for breaking down barriers in private schools.
“Due to South Africa’s history, there have been so many misconceptions that private schools only award the position to white people, and that’s not the case. The position is based purely on merit and participation.”
Luyanda said she was looking forward to the “daunting” challenge of being the school’s top girl.
“At the time I was hysterical. People kept telling me ‘oh, it’s probably going to be you’, but I didn’t listen to them. Then my name was called out and I was surprised and very happy.”
She believes she was chosen because of her excellence in extra-mural activities. Apart from playing netball and soccer and being the school’s choir captain, she scooped trophies this year for directing school plays.
All-rounder
She also took home the trophy for best cultural all-rounder.
“I think they wanted someone who’s involved in the school – not just someone who goes there for education and goes home at 2.30pm. I think they wanted someone who wants to interact with other people, gets involved in sports, gets involved culturally, and also someone who can represent the school.”
She said her responsibilities would include heading the student liaison committee to take pupils’ grievances to management.
She worries, however, about being exposed to constant criticism because of the post.
“When you’re being showcased so often, they’ll nitpick. It just depends whether you take it to heart or not. Some of it will be constructive and then you should listen, but if not then you need to be able to brush it off.”
Her head girl duties begin this Sunday, when she and the head boy go to the Eastern Cape to host a summer camp for orphaned children for one week. They will then need to be part of Grade 8 orientation at the beginning of next year.
As for the future, Luyanda is considering a career in law, accountancy, or psychology. She is looking into the possibility of earning a scholarship to study in the US or UK.
“I want to be remembered as the head girl who was known for honesty and being herself,” she said.