Musetji Andries Setshedi (1917-1982): A Pioneer of Education for the Temba Community
The late Musetji Andries “Bottom” Setshedi (1917-1982) was a prominent pioneer of modern elementary education for the Temba community. He served as the founding principal of Temba Primary School from its establishment in 1947 until 1959, when he was promoted to circuit inspector for the Hammanskraal Education District.
Fondly nicknamed “Bottom” by his students and the community, Mr Setshedi was a beacon of hope, transforming a community emerging from the hardships of the Sofasonke tent city into one filled with resilience and promise for the future.
Born on June 17, 1917, shortly after World War I, Mr Setshedi was appointed as Temba Primary School’s first principal at the age of 30 in 1947. He led the school for twelve years, passing the leadership to his protégé, Mr Clifford Malatji Bango Thobejane, who joined the school in 1954. Together, they became iconic figures in a community that desperately needed education during Temba’s formative years (1942-1972).
Temba Primary School was one of the first permanent structures built near the Apies River, close to the tent city that housed families forcibly relocated from various farms in Alberton to Leeuwkraal 396 farm in Hammanskraal. This establishment marked a significant milestone for the community, providing essential elementary education for children in Temba and celebrating the resilience of its residents.
Before Temba Primary School, the only schools in the area were in nearby Majaneng Village, under the jurisdiction of Amandebele-a-Lebelo. Schools like Seroto Matshetla Primary and Ratshepo High School (later renamed Hans Kekana High School after the tragic death of Chief Hans Kekana in 1962) addressed the limited educational needs of the community. The founding of Temba Primary School in 1947 was a monumental event, offering much-needed educational opportunities for local children.
Mr Musetji Andries Setshedi’s impact extended beyond his tenure as principal. His family life in the Temba community was notable; he and his wife, Ms Mmapoulwe Anna Setshedi, raised nine children, four of whom became educators and principals themselves, enriching the community’s educational landscape. Their contributions included schools like Nchaupe, Sekitla, and Makgetsi High Schools, amplifying the production of educated individuals in Temba and beyond.
As a celebrated principal from 1947 to 1959 and circuit inspector from 1959 until his retirement in 1977, Mr Setshedi played a crucial role in ensuring the quality of education across all schools in the Greater Hammanskraal District. His efforts significantly impacted the educational standards and opportunities available to the community.
Mr Musetji Andries “Bottom” Setshedi passed away on January 8, 1982. To celebrate his 108th birthday in 2025, it would be fitting for Temba Primary School to be renamed Musetji Andries Setshedi Primary School. This would serve as a lasting tribute and honour to a selfless pioneer whose commitment to education illuminated the path for countless individuals in the Temba community, transforming lives through knowledge and action.
Mr Eric Segomotso Sebokedi-Phetlhu writes as a distinguished intellectual and thought leader. He serves as a community leader in Temba and is a veteran educator.