Late principal remembered for his teaching legacy

Family, friends, and colleagues of the late Nigel Pelston said their final goodbyes to the Rocklands High principal at a moving funeral service on Saturday August 17. He passed away on 7 August at the age of 59 after a brief illness.

Mr Pelston dedicated 35 years to education, serving schools in Mitchell’s Plain. He began his teaching career at Littlewood Primary and joined Mondale High in 1990. During his almost 26-year tenure at Mondale High, Mr Pelston advanced in his career, becoming head of a department and later serving as deputy principal at the school.

In 2016, he was appointed as principal of Rocklands High School, where he served until the time of his death.

“This is a great loss to the education sector. We send our deepest condolences to the family, learners and staff at Rocklands High School, the school community and his colleagues in the education sector,” the Western Cape Education Department’s Unathi Booi said in a statement.

Former and present pupils of Mr Pelston, took to social media to pay tribute to the man who often told them: “Whatever you do in life, make sure that you walk and talk like someone who has an appointment with the future.”

At a memorial service held in his honour at Mondale High on Tuesday, 13 August, Owen Bridgens, former principal of Mondale High, described him as a colleague and friend, who was a well-dressed and poised individual.

“Nigel Pelston was better known as a disciplinarian, an excellent geography teacher and an inspiration to his pupils,” Mr Bridgens said.

Rocklands High teacher, Sharwaan Haas, said Mr Pelston was an exceptional, stern and firm leader, who led Rocklands High with “the best values and beautiful resilient personality”.

“He was more than just a leader, he was a mentor, a guide, he was family and a friend to us all. As strict as he was, he had an open door policy, and we could come to him at any time. There was this one time that I informed him of the passing of my brother’s child. He got up from his principal’s chair, closed the door, sat next to me and we cried together,” he recalled.

Mr Haas said the legacy of Mr Pelston lives on in the values he instilled in Rocklands High teachers and pupils.

“Because of him, we are resilient, we have perseverance and integrity,” said Mr Haas.

Speaking at a memorial held at Rocklands High on Thursday, 15 August, Aneeka Jacobs, Mr Pelston’s youngest sister said her brother dedicated his life to shaping his pupils into future leaders.

“With unwavering passion and commitment, he poured his heart and soul into his students, nurturing their intellect, igniting their curiosity, and inspiring them to reach for the stars. His classroom was not merely a place of learning, but a sanctuary where dreams were born, and aspirations took flight,” she said.

Ms Jacobs said her family has been touched by the outpouring of love, prayers and kind messages during this time.

“Nigel’s legacy of knowledge, love and commitment to making the world a better place lives on, and we are humbled by the love and respect shown in his honour,” she added.

Mr Pelston was the eldest of four siblings, and is survived by his 82-year-old father, three siblings and eight nephews and nieces.