LISTEN: Rustenburg Head Prefect for 2020, Hlonelwa Zimba, welcomed the school at the first assembly of the year.
Full speech below:
HEAD GIRL SPEECH 2020 ACADEMIC YEAR
Good Morning Mr Gates, staff, fellow learners and to the Matric Class of 2020.
My name is Hlonelwa Zimba, which means the importance of showing respect to others. I was born and bred in Cape Town although my parents hail from the Eastern Cape, where I often spend my holiday. My home language is IsiXhosa. In IsiXhosa I would say I am uMam’Jwarha uMtika Mazaleni, which is the IsiXhosa clan I am a part of.
I draw inspiration from my sister Buhle and I have been raised by parents who have instilled the well-known philosophy of ‘uBuntu’ which is based on the Nguni saying, ‘Umntu Ngumntu Ngabantu’ which when translated means ‘I am because you are.’ UBuntu is my guiding principle in life which has influenced my love for people and those around me.
I am honoured and humbled to have been given this opportunity to serve and lead the school. I am someone who appreciates everyone’s uniqueness and diverse backgrounds. Our school does not only believe in academic excellence but also instills moral values into us students, to create citizens who are true to their roots and their individual cultures. It is for this reason that we need to embrace our four pillars, which are visible in our very hall: Acceptance, Integrity, Respect and Kindness.
To the Grade 8s, welcome to Rustenburg. I am wishing you all the best for this new and exciting chapter. Make the most of every moment.
To the Matric Class of 2020. Let us make this our year. Let us play hard, work harder and love one another even harder as our time together is drawing in. Let us make ourselves proud and achieve all the wonderful things that we aim for.
A quote I would like to share with you matrics, is one that I hold very close to my heart. It goes as follows, ‘Be brave enough to live the life of your dreams according to your vision and purpose instead of the expectations and opinions of others.’ This is a quote by Roy T. Bennett.
To the school at large:
2020- a year filled with happiness, joy and growth in our sisterhood. To everyone seated here, make it the year you want it to be, explore your uniqueness, let us be the best versions of ourselves, let us push ourselves and strive for greatness.
One thing I always tell myself is that feeling uncomfortable in a new and challenging environment can only lead to self-growth.
Let us do better, be better and strive for more this year.
2020 is going to be great and remember just like Troy and Gabriella in High School Musical said, ‘We are all in this together.’ So let us support and love one another as we are all on different journeys in our lives. Let us create our own High School Musical.
And lastly, if you see me or any of the other prefects in the corridor, please do not hesitate to say hi.
Thank you.