Kwena Molapo High School: A Jewel of Educational Excellence in Gauteng
- Salman Khan
- Jan 17
- 3 min read
In the evolving narrative of South Africa’s public education system, few stories shine as brightly as that of Kwena Molapo High School—a Quintile 1 government high school that has consistently defied structural and socio-economic constraints to deliver outstanding academic outcomes.
Situated in the Lanseria area, at the corner of Cedar Road and Malibongwe Drive, close to Lanseria International Airport, Kwena Molapo High School falls within the broader Diepsloot region of Gauteng. The school serves learners from Grade 8 to Grade 12 and operates under conditions that would typically challenge even the most resilient institutions.
Learning Against the Odds
Kwena Molapo High School was established using temporary shipping containers, carefully arranged into an orderly layout comprising 16 classrooms. Supporting infrastructure remains minimal. The school’s modest library—built into three-quarters of a container—was generously donated by the Rotary Club of Sandton / Round Table, reflecting the critical role of partnerships in sustaining educational access.
Despite these limitations, the school has achieved what many better-resourced institutions aspire to.
Exceptional Academic Performance
The Class of 2025 once again delivered exceptional results, achieving a 98.1% matric pass rate (210 out of 215 learners). This performance is not an anomaly. Over the past ten years, Kwena Molapo High School has maintained an average matric pass rate of 97%, achieving a 100% pass rate on multiple occasions—a remarkable accomplishment for any school, and especially so for one operating within a Quintile 1 framework.
A Partnership That Began in 2006
My association with Kwena Molapo High School dates back to 2006, when I first visited the school while travelling my Magaliesburg route. At the time, the school faced significant challenges:
A matric pass rate of approximately 85%, (206)
Over 700 learners,
Classrooms housed in metal containers without fans,
Summer temperatures exceeding 35°C inside classrooms, making learning conditions extremely difficult.
To Kwena Molapo host over 1200 leaners and scoping 100% (2026)
During my first conversation with Principal Michael, I asked a simple but sincere question: “What can I do to assist?”His list of needs was long, but together we prioritised the most urgent interventions. I committed to mobilising support and resources—on one condition: that the school would demonstrate measurable improvement in academic performance.
Principal Michael accepted the challenge—and honoured his commitment fully.
Visionary Leadership and Sustainable Results
As infrastructure improvements and academic interventions were introduced, learner performance improved steadily. By 2012, Kwena Molapo High School achieved a 100% matric pass rate. Since then, the school has maintained consistently high standards, reinforcing a culture of excellence, discipline, and accountability.
Principal Michael has proven himself to be a visionary and exemplary leader in the education sector—one who understands that leadership extends beyond the boundaries of a single institution.
Impact Beyond One School
Importantly, Kwena Molapo’s success has not existed in isolation. Principal Michael actively collaborated with neighbouring schools in the Diepsloot area, sharing best practices, leadership approaches, academic systems, and learner discipline frameworks. The impact of this collaborative leadership is evident in the 2025 matric results across the region:
Diepsloot Secondary School 3 – 100% (250/250)
Sunrise Secondary School – 98.2% (276/281)
Kwena Molapo High School – 98.1% (210/215)
Diepsloot Combined School – 97.3% (108/111)
Diepsloot West Secondary School – 86.3% (196/227)
Itirele Secondary School – 86% (153/178)
These outcomes reflect the power of shared leadership, mentorship, and community-driven educational reform.
A Source of Pride and Proof of Possibility
This long-standing association with Kwena Molapo High School—and its extraordinary journey from struggle to sustained excellence—remains a profound source of pride for me. It stands as compelling evidence that strategic support, ethical leadership, and unwavering commitment to learners can overcome even the most severe constraints.
To read more about this journey and to review the projects implemented at Kwena Molapo High School since 2006, please follow the link below:https://fountainfoundation.wixsite.com/projects/kwena-molapo-high-school
Kwena Molapo High School is not merely a success story—it is a blueprint for what is possible in public education, even under the most challenging conditions.
If you would like to get involved in Kwena Molapo School or any one of the Diepsloot schools project Salman Khan on 082 691 6048 email: salkhan1@yahoo.com
To read more on Salman Khan welfare projects click on to this link https://fountainfoundation.wixsite.com/projects
About Author:
Salman Khan Paul Harris Fellow and is an internationally acclaimed human rights activist, social entrepreneur, food and drink anthropologist, researcher, culinary educator and Barista judge.
WhatsApp 082 691 6048
Comments