IGNITING THE FUTURE: CELEBRATING PIONEERS IN EDUCATION

Marematlou Graduates of the Advanced Diploma in School Leadership and Management

On this momentous day, 10 September 2025, Marematlou Training Institute (MTI) proudly celebrated the first-ever cohort of graduates from the Advanced Diploma in School Leadership and Management programme. Under the theme “Igniting the Future: Celebrating Pioneers in Education”, we honour you — our graduates — for taking bold steps into leadership, harnessing vision, and committing to the transformation of education. This graduation was the first of its kind at MTI for the Advanced Diploma in School Leadership and Management — a landmark moment signalling MTI’s growing role in developing educational leadership capacity.

This celebration brings together a rich tapestry of partners whose roles have been instrumental in making this milestone possible. We acknowledge:

Mrs. Selesho, Chief Executive Officer of Marematlou Training Institute
Prof. I. Ntshoe, serving also as Acting-Vice Chancellor
Prof J. M. Selesho, founder of the programme whose passing left a void, but his efforts, and dreams remain part of MTI shared journey.

Their leadership has guided MTI’s mission and shaped this initiative. Their steadfast belief in the necessity of strong, ethical, visionary leadership in schools has made this moment possible. We are honoured to have in our midst:

The Eastern Cape Department of Education (ECDOE)
The Free State Department of Education (FSDOE)
Standard Bank
MICTSETA
ETDPSETA
SADTU (Eastern Cape)
SACE CEO
Our Graduates
Graduates’ Partners and Relatives and MTI Executive Management and Staff

These stakeholders are acknowledged with deep gratitude for their contributions and insightful knowledge which has always made an impact in MTI s operational processes — for without their expertise, mentorship, partnership, and support, our students could not have grown into the future pioneers they are poised to become.

We especially thank the academics whose dedication, rigor, and compassion have guided the graduates; the support staff who ensured the administrative, technical, and logistical backbone was strong; and the families, partners, and relatives whose encouragement sustained these leaders through demanding work and study.

The Overall Achiever nominee, Mrs Lynette Roelfse (in absentia), was acknowledged with a certificate and awarded the rotating elephant trophy. This symbolic elephant trophy is a tribute aligned with the vision of the programme’s founder, Prof. J. M. Selesho, representing strength, wisdom, and the steady, enduring leadership qualities we wish to instil in all graduates.

We commend the hard work undertaken by both academics and students alike. To the academics: your preparation of materials, commitment to delivery, mentoring of students, assessment, and ongoing support have been exemplary. To the students: your perseverance, discipline, insight, and eagerness to learn have made this celebration a reality.

Marematlou pledges to continuously work, together with relevant stakeholders, towards addressing the needs outlined in the National Development Plan. MTI shall strive to combat challenges in the education system — including leadership capacity, quality of teaching and learning, equity of resources, and community engagement. Our graduates, as pioneers, are key agents in this endeavour.