Latest Stories - Ramila Patel for Michael Stern Lecture

30 Jan, 2023

Waterford Kamhlaba celebrates its founding Principal Michael Stern and the opening of the school every 3rd February with the annual Michael Stern Lecture. Last year, 2022, the first lecture also marked the centennial birthday of Michael Stern. We are delighted that the speaker for 2023 will be Waterford’s Head of Visual Arts Ms Ramila Patel.

Waterford was established in 1963 against a backdrop of and as a direct counter to the Apartheid era in neighbouring South Africa. It is hard to imagine the opposition and challenges experienced in the opening of the school during this period. This lecture series focuses on the people, methods, events, and achievements which have made Waterford into the successful school it is today.

Ms Patel formerly taught in Botswana and has been with the College for 33 years. For 11 years she was also the Waterford Network Coordinator, producing Tindzaba TaKamhlaba, the alumni newsletter. Ms Patel has continued to connect with staff and students from Waterford’s early days and has possibly the most complete overview of the school, past, and present. She has a wealth of local historical and specific institutional knowledge and is therefore in a unique position to contextualize the history of Waterford Kamhlaba starting from its founder Michael Stern, and his guiding mission and vision. ‘Light on the Kamhlaba Hilltop’ will also focus on Ms Patel’s experiences of the ‘Light’ that has guided her through her time and teaching in Eswatini. 

According to Waterford’s Advancement Director, Celiwe Dlamini, the 60-year history of the school will be celebrated through a range of monthly activities on campus, starting with the Michael Stern Lecture.

On February 3rd, 2023, beginning at 4:30 PM, the annual Michael Stern Lecture Series will be held on campus, in honour of our Founder's birthday, as well as to launch WK’s 60th-anniversary campaign. Those who would like to participate either in person or virtually can register here.

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