Meet Mandisa – our new statue who has the potential to change lives and enhance belonging.
In this, St Anne’s 145th anniversary year, we are excited to unveil our new statue of a young woman in matric, MANDISA. She stands proudly at our school entrance on the grass area near the Chapel garden.
The unveiling of Mandisa is symbolic of a powerful journey of transformation for our beloved school, St Anne’s. Our community has worked together to ensure that we are more intentional and effective in creating a St Anne’s which is embracing, nurturing and relevant by focusing on building an authentic sense of belonging for staff, pupils and parents and today is a lighthouse for our continuing journey of belonging.
The late Karabo Che Mokoape inspired this project and it is an initiative spearheaded by the Ngikhona transformation committee, which is comprised of staff and pupils, to symbolise our intentional approach to growing belonging for staff, pupils and St Anne’s families. Mandisa has become a reality through a very generous donation, for which we are so appreciative.
Mandisa honours the first Black African girl who began her journey in Grade 8 in 1981 and who went on to matriculate in 1985. Mandisa Penny Ntloko-Petersen was that history-maker and is now a parent of a current Grade 9. The statue does not resemble Mandisa but is a more universal representation. It is fitting that she is named Mandisa, which means ‘one who, by her presence, brings happiness,’ in isiXhosa.
In a special unveiling ceremony on Wednesday, our Guests of Honour, Mrs Mandisa Ntloko-Petersen and Dr Judy Dlamini, shared messages of hope for the future. Dr Judy Dlamini encouraged current Ladies in Blue, saying that “we will only be better and stronger as a country if we support each other across all social identities” and embrace people for who they are, not who we want them to be.
Follow this link to ‘Meet Mandisa’ and find out more about how you can support this worthy cause, or to watch the Unveiling Ceremony.
Pictured below L-R; Kari Greene (Board Chair), Mrs Mandisa Ntloko-Petersen (first Black African St Anne’s Matriculant), Dr Judy Dlamini (Chancellor of the University of the Witwatersrand), Mrs Debbie Martin (College Head).
