Alumni Profiles

Missla Libsekal

(WK 87)

Ethiopia

"nestled in the outskirts and hills of Mbabane was a haven, a nurturing environment that engendered essentially an activated civil society"

Missla Libsekal

Anna Brandberg

(WK 01-06)

Sweden

"When you put hundreds of young people from all corners of the world into one melting pot, they end up gaining a lot of their education simply from each other"

Anna Brandberg

Bronwyn Davis

(WK 95-97, Staff)

Australia

"WK taught me about community, the value of giving and being aware of what comes back in return, as it may not be immediately obvious but is always extremely important"

Bronwyn Davis

Job Seuren

(WK 00-02)

Holland

"Already at the age of 17/18 while at Waterford I preferred wine to beer and read magazines and books to get to know more about it"

Job Seuren

Sam Goodyear

(WK 67: Volunteer, 71-73: Staff)

USA

"The expression “it changed my life” gets thrown around loosely, but I can honestly say that that initial experience at WK changed mine."

Sam Goodyear

Helen Sayers

(WK 82-83)

UK

"It was a rich experience and I learnt a lot about community life, about Africa, and about myself! It is certainly a place where powerful seeds are planted, that continue to grow throughout our lives"

Helen Sayers

Conrad Hughes

(WK 87-93)

UK

"The UWC, with its emphasis on international mindedness, especially at the time (the late 1980s) was like an oasis of forward thinking in the desert of small-mindedness."

Conrad Hughes

Pernille Hansen

(WK 83-89)

Swaziland

"we were all together in a very dynamic and amazing time that led to the end of apartheid and the beginning of a new era in South Africa, in Africa, in the world.”

Pernille Hansen

Bjørn Klouman Bekken

(WK 97-98)

Norway

"My time in Swaziland left me with so much – a deep affection for the continent of Africa, friends from all over the world, and a determination to find a way to make a difference here in this world”.

Bjørn Klouman Bekken

Irene Nyuma Nyirenda

(WK 95-99)

Malawi

“I am currently one of the two only women Engineers in the company whilst the other 25 are men. I have earned my respect equally as any other male Engineer in the same position as me. And I continue to believe women are equally capable as men.”

Irene Nyuma Nyirenda

Yunus Peer

(WK 71-73)

South Africa

“Waterford gave me the opportunity of a lifetime. In fact, it gave me a life! A life in which there was no mistaking that honour, integrity and conscience were in one’s head and heart, and not in the colour of one’s skin.”

Yunus Peer

Form 3 Quote Bank

Waterford

“I think it is full of different experiences which are brought by diverse cultures”

William- Volunteer

Academics

“Science grades are a bit too high on grade standards”

Art

“Art is a chance to express your inner feelings, a chance to express things that you cannot describe using words”

Erin

Academics

"You do not have to understand, just study"

Connor, Form 5

Elangeni Hostel

“It’s very chilled and I love it”

Nomathemba- IB1

Art

“Art is another way in which the school allows students to express themselves and is amazing”

Daniel

IB Life

“I think the greatest challenges are time-management, activities and deadlines”

Sofia- IB2

Emhlabeni Hostel

“A mixture of fun and stress, hostel is the place where you try to find the balance between work, sleep and friends”

Chikwa- IB1

Swaziland

“Waterford and the whole of Swaziland has helped me improve my social understanding and has helped me acknowledge the peace here”

Lindo- Form 3

Staff Views

"Manage your waste and preserve the environment"

Mr Boycott

Spanish

“Spanish is a challenge compared to IGCSE, you have to work really hard”

Tanaka- IB1

Art

“Expression of inner creativity and imagination”

Maeva

Swaziland

“The beauty, the culture and the respect all make up Swaziland. Peace and tranquillity are what define Swaziland”

Sisekelo- Form 5

TOK

“How do you know what you think you know?”

Thabiso- IB2

History

“The history teachers are cool and smart. They make history interesting for us”

Greg- Form 3

Life Skills

“Life Skills helps you understand people and the way they work”

Natasha- IB2

Emhlabeni Hostel

“Its all good, very sociable, everyone is connected”

Tapiwa- IB2

P.E.

“I do P.E. Studies and the theory is complex and interesting”

Bonga- F4

Emhlabeni Hostel

“Where the sun never sets”

Kasper- IB2

Elangeni Hostel

“Elangeni is like home”

Michael- IB2

Geography

“I think Geography is a useful subject if you want to learn about the environment. I enjoy it very much”

Michaela- Form 3

P.E.

“I love PE. I just thought it was a nice time to bee a group of Form 5s doing something I like, sports”

Naomi- F5

Form 4-5 Life

“It's different because of our backgrounds and cultures, and how we feel as one because of unity”

Tyler D'oris F4

Staff Views

"The kids are awesome"

Miss Hall

Elangeni Hostel

“The name says it all, place of the rising sun. Spectacular view from your block with a tantalizing sunrise, every morning”

Tomer- IB1

Swaziland

“What I like most about Swaziland is the beautiful scenery and the people because they are so polite”

Qiniso

Waterford

“Waterford is not an individual experience; it’s a collective journey”

Anesu- Form 4

Emhlabeni Hostel

“We are the world”

Suzanna- IB2

Academics

“All play and no work made Jack a very stupid boy”

John

IT Centre

“The IT Centre is the best place to find information”

Akhona- Form 3

P.E.

“If you’re not an active person in your spare time, you lose and important life lesson because sport makes you look good, and if you look good you feel good”

Tandza- F5

Business Studies

"The epitome of business is eventually learning how to mind your own"

Mr CC

TOK

“To what extent can you answer a TOK question?”

Disillusioned IB2

Emhlabeni Hostel

“The boys side is a brotherhood”

Amilcar- IB2

Elangeni Hostel

“My fellow block residents make me feel at home and extremely comfortable”

Harvey- IB1

Campus

“There is so much to do in such a small environment”

Sports

“The sports are very diverse”

Nyara- Form 4

Maths

“Numbers are about calculation and maths always gives you the answer”

Anesu- Form 4

Staff Views

"If you want to make a chocolate cake, its better with chocolate"

Mr Alexander

Waterford

“It's a mixture of diverse cultures where everyone comes with their own story and background, which comes together and forms a society where you are not judged because of where you come from and who you are”

Ncobile- Form 2

Science

“Science is on a good level for new students coming into the school”

Min Jun- Form 2

Business Studies

"Without business there is no money"

Geography

“Geo is a very interesting subject and it’s very useful to use in my future career”

Terence- Form 3

Economics

"Economics is the best thing ever!"

IB2 Student

Campus

“The mountain and the people make it spectacular”

IB Life

“The entire classroom atmosphere is very fascinating because of all the different religions, opinions and upbringings”

Victor- IB2

Art

“Through art I can scream without even saying a word”

Lomusa

Waterford

“20 years from now it won't matter what shoe size you wore, all that will matter is your education and how you've used it”

Nombuso- Form 4

Waterford

“The people are accepting and friendly”

Sisekelo- Form 5

Academics

“Drama pass-marks are too low. It should be 79% and above for an A”

Elangeni Hostel

“I just love it here”

Peniel- IB2

Waterford

“Life at Waterford is full of hectic fun but above all it's tough, because there is so much to do and never enough time. Many things can be changed but never will be”

Derek- IB1

Waterford

“It's a journey filled with life's challenges, life long friendships, endless prep and always something to do”

Tengetile

Emhlabeni Hostel

“Theres always something that distracts you, its good”

Sofia- IB1

Swaziland

“The environment is great in Swaziland as well as in the school and I’ve made a lot of friends”

Joshua

IB Life

“Its time consuming, difficult, independent and fun”

Salha- IB1

Staff Views

"Genius without education is like silver in the mine"

Mr Churchyard

Staff Views

"The Devil makes hands for idle work"

Mr Oulton

Academics

“After 7 years of primary, I felt like a genius. After form 1... eish!!”

IT Centre

“IT is essential for us to understand the technology and how to grasp onto it”

Likhwa- Form 3

Art

“Art is a way in which students can express themselves and be able to actually do what they are passionate about”

Nicole

Elangeni Hostel

“Elangeni is the most peaceful place at Waterford, it has a good common rom which makes it feel almost like home”

Shephard- IB1

Academics

“Work hard, play hard and life won't be hard”

Lidvumiso

Waterford

“It's amazing to be honest. It's the best school I have been to and I have been to a number of schools previously"

Josh- Form 4

French

“Its fun while you’re doing it but when the exams come you realise it’s quite complex”

Kasper- IB2

History

“I think History is fun but it’s a lot of hard work. Teachers make it interesting and I think it is important because history sometimes repeats itself”

Ryan- Form 3