Recently, the College had the pleasure to welcome to the Governing Council (GC) alumni Stephenson Ngubane (Eswatini, WK 76 - 79), Linda Zwane (Eswatini, WK 97 - 99), and Khulekani Msweli (Eswatini, WK 98 - 01). The GC is Waterford’s primary decision-making body with imperial authority over what happens at Waterford that affects the lives of those affiliated with it, be it students, staff members, parents, and other stakeholders. It is always heartwarming to see alumni giving back to the school in this manner. 

One of the three newest alumni in the GC is Stephenson Ngubane. After WK, Stephenson Ngubane studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Zimbabwe. He then worked with Eswatini Railways and rose through the ranks, eventually leaving the company as CEO in 2019. His experience in Logistics and Transport would allow him to become a member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and years later a Fellow, which is the highest recognition. Currently, he does Management consultancy work.

Khulekani Msweli is an artist, designer, social entrepreneur, and community activist from rural Vuvulane, Eswatini. He spent most of his early years of primary and high school education in Eswatini and acquired higher education and work experience in England. In 2010 Msweli established JEREMPAUL, a multiple award-winning, high-end design, and art lifestyle brand. His latest venture has been the establishment of the Vuvulane Food Market. 

The third one is Linda Zwane who is currently serving as the Head of Data and Analytics at Standard Bank Eswatini, by virtue of her strong background in Mathematics and Applied Mathematics. Linda spends time outdoors, does yoga, and expresses her creativity through singing - all of which are part of her work-life balance. Early this year, Linda was invited to deliver the keynote address of the first Education Symposium at WK.

Please help us welcome our newest cohort of alumni who just graduated in the month of November. On Saturday, 12 November 2022, we had a successful graduation ceremony for the IB Class of 2022 that was full of entertainment items, including our trademark WK gumboot dance, choir, and poetry. Addressing the graduates on the day, Principal Angoy expressed her congratulations and thanked everyone, including alumni for their continued support. WK’s Chair of Governing Council, Dr Sibongile Gumbi (South Africa, WK 83 - 86), said the school was confident that it has prepared the students well for future leadership of the African continent and the world. On Friday 18 November 2022, we had a Form 5 graduation ceremony, which was as exciting as the IB graduation ceremony. 

As we welcome our newest alumni, we also congratulate them on such a great milestone. A graduation is a landmark event; it is a symbol of change, progression, and moving on to new adventures. We kindly request you to help our new alumni as they navigate their way to university and beyond. They need your support; WK is one big family and we know that we can count on the support which you have offered to other fellow alumni in the past.

Back in 2016, the College initiated Alumni Avenue, a legacy project that is aimed at honoring alumni who donate to WK. The "avenue" bricks are placed along the front wall of the Tony Hatton Library on the College campus and are made up of glass bricks, (made in Eswatini by Ngwenya Glass, using recycled glass) which are engraved with messages that alumni want on it. Many of our alumni have opted to have their names, the year(s) at WK, or a short message engraved on their bricks.

We thought we should just remind you of this important legacy project through which WK gives you an opportunity to leave a legacy on campus. With a minimum donation of ZAR1500, £80, $101, €92, we will place a glass brick with your name engraved on the College’s Alumni Avenue. After you leave the Waterford campus, you can always look back with pride, knowing that your name is on the Alumni Avenue Wall.
Please direct communications regarding Alumni Avenue to the Alumni Engagement Officer in the Advancement Office. 

As the campus has slowly started to open up this term, we have seen alumni from near, far, and wide pay a visit to the campus. We are always happy to welcome you all back home whenever you are in the region. Alumni are the custodians of the legacy of Waterford Kamhlaba. The engagement of alumni helps to ground us, it reminds us of who we were. Visiting the campus gives you a chance to engage with the current students whilst giving them an outlook as to the possibilities beyond Waterford. Please contact the Alumni Engagement Officer to schedule a visit on campus.

Below are Alums who paid us a visit in the second half of the term.

As we draw closer to the 60th Anniversary next year, the Advancement Office is getting busier and busier with the planning for 2023. We are excited and honoured to have the opportunity and the responsibility to deliver a memorable event and experience for the Kamhlaba community as we mark this significant milestone. Our objective is to galvanize the WK UWCSA community, and our current and potential partners in support of Waterford Kamhlaba UWCSA and its mission, through events and activities that enhance our reputation, celebrate our first 60 years in Eswatini and provide a compelling vision for the future.
This milestone presents a real opportunity to reconnect and re-engage bringing a scatterling community together to Reimagine Kamhlaba: Working together for Justice in Africa! 

The Advancement Office would like to appeal to all alumni who have the talent and time to lend a helping hand to us as we work to put together the programmes and events for our 60th Anniversary.

We are requesting assistance from marketing professionals, graphic designers, or copywriters to help promote the 60th Anniversary. If you have expertise in events marketing, logistics or know of any resources in the events management space we would love to hear from you.

Let’s work together to make this event a success! 

In our last newsletter, we reported on the sad news about the passing of Martin Kenyon, who was one of the original trustees of the Waterford School Trust in London.  He was instrumental in raising funds for the purchase of the land and building materials for the school on the old Waterford Farm. The school will be having a memorial service on campus in honour of Martin on Wednesday 30 November 2022, starting at 4:40 pm SAST. This will be a blended event and we shall share a zoom link for those who would like to join us virtually. We kindly ask those who may want to share a message about Martin to send an email.