Anna Cox from Daily Maverick has outlined Jeppe High School for Boys’ efforts to revive historic Kensington, one of Johannesburg’s oldest gateway suburbs to the inner city.
The school has spent recent years buying neighbouring properties, expanding its educational footprint, restoring neglected buildings, cleaning surrounding streets and helping drive a broader community revival effort in Kensington and parts of neighbouring Malvern.
Principal Brendan Gittins, himself a Jeppe old boy, says the 136-year-old school believes it cannot thrive if the surrounding neighbourhood continues to decline. ‘The area is the gateway to the city and cannot be allowed to fall into disrepair,’ he said. For Gittins, protecting Kensington is also about preserving one of Johannesburg’s most historic suburbs and preventing the loss of its architectural and cultural heritage.
‘Kensington has lots of heritage houses, Randlord houses, and we must preserve our heritage,’ he said. Founded in 1897, Kensington developed as one of Johannesburg’s earliest residential suburbs and remains known for its distinctive ridge-top setting, historic architecture and collection of heritage homes dating back to the mining boom years.
Kensington and neighbouring Malvern are increasingly having to battle urban decline, illegal dumping, abandoned properties and the conversion of older homes into overcrowded multi-tenanted accommodation.
Working alongside the Jeppe Old Boys Association and other supporters, the school has been able to acquire neighbouring properties as part of an ambitious precinct expansion programme designed to strengthen both the school and the surrounding area. The acquisitions form part of what Gittins hopes will eventually become an educational node stretching across Kensington and parts of Malvern.
Rather than operating as a single institution in isolation, Jeppe aims to eventually create a network of schools and educational facilities that support one another, from primary schools to high schools, boarding facilities and specialised learning centres.
The school has purchased several neighbouring properties as they have become vacant, including two properties in Good Hope Street acquired recently, which will be used as boarding houses.
The Jeppe Old Boys Association has played a key role in the school’s success.
Former pupils have helped fund major capital projects, supported infrastructure improvements, provided mentorship and assisted with long-term strategic planning.
The old boys have also played a significant role in property acquisitions and the broader precinct development programme.
The initiative extends far beyond Jeppe’s own learners. Gittins said the school, through the EduSafe initiative started by former Jeppe pupil Rob Katzen, is increasingly trying to support surrounding government schools facing financial and infrastructure pressures.
‘We are hoping to spread the message to other nearby government schools which are struggling. We started with Sandringham and Sandown and will be moving to Northview High. We will offer them support and send teachers to offer advice,’ he said.
Locally, Jeppe already works informally with a number of neighbouring schools, including Glenoaks Remedial School, Kensington Secondary, Jules High and Denver High through sports, shared activities and outreach programmes.
Gittins said preserving both Kensington’s heritage and the school’s own history forms part of a broader commitment to protecting the area’s identity. ‘It is not only important for the area but for the whole of Johannesburg,’ he said. He believes schools can no longer afford to separate themselves from the condition of the neighbourhoods around them.
‘We have hope. It is possible to reclaim the neighbourhood. We cannot wait for government to sort this out. We cannot be bystanders. We are partners,’ he said.
Supporting Community Initiatives
As part of the Jeppe Clean-Up Crew, the school employs four full-time workers dedicated to cleaning streets and pavements surrounding the property, while volunteers regularly restore parks, pavements and church grounds around the precinct.
‘We have four full-time staff cleaning up around the school, all the pavements, and we have engaged our neighbours to also keep their pavements clear,’ Gittins said. The initiative has recently expanded through a partnership with Better Kensington.
Jeppe Boys recently signed up for a monthly contribution to Better Kensington. A statement from Better Kensington on their Facebook page read: ‘A huge thank you to Jeppe High School for Boys for your continued investment in what we do.’
‘Your school has shown a tremendous amount of support and encouragement in helping us make a positive difference in the community. We truly appreciate your partnership and generosity.’
The school recently hosted a Grade 8 community outreach clean-up project. Boys were at Rhodes Park and surrounds, equipped with gloves, bags, rakes and spades to assist the Jeppe Clean Up Crew and Better Kensington in making a difference in the areas surrounding our school.
The original article was sourced from Daily Maverick.
Jeppe High School For Boys
011 614 1938
hms@jeppeboys.co.za
