Madibatlou Middle School is a farm school situated in the greater Olifantsfontein area, catering tuition for learners from Grade R to Grade 9. The school was established in 1972, with 245 learners (Sub-A to Standard 6 – to use terminology of the past) under the late Principal, Mr Ramogale. Mr. Ntuli took over from Mr. Ramogale in 1997. Mrs. Lumwila took over the principalship from Mr. Ntuli in 1998. In 1999, the school engaged in a rigorous drive to get sponsorship to upgrade the school infrastructural standing. In 2001, the education department and private companies (through social responsibility mandates) gave the school 5 classrooms, and a temporary administration block. Companies like MIDAS, which today is known as Motus, MTN and Eskom helped the school to get water, electricity and learning and teaching support materials (LTSM), such as furniture, books, et cetera. In 2003, the school introduced Grade R. Learners were accommodated in a prefabricated classroom, which was not conducive for small learners. However, brick and mortar buildings were secured through support from the department of education and private companies.
In 2015, Mr WK Molokomme replaced Mrs. Lumwila as the school principal. The school has steadily grown from a paltry 245 learners in 1972 to 2004 learners in 2020. Madibatlou Middle School has grown in stature since its inception, and it has become extremely successful in the areas of academia and extra-murals, including sporting and cultural activities. The school has won numerous awards, and has been sponsored over the years by a great many businesses and charity organisations. The school is achieving all these successes despite dire socio-economic background of most of its learner community, mainly the farm community of L&J where most of the learners reside. The school, despite its socio-economic disposition, is counted among the best in the Ekurhuleni North education district. This is evidenced by children travelling from Thembisa and other townships to attend school in Madibatlou Middle School.
The success of the school is based on strong systemic pillars (of stakeholder engagement) formed by social and business partners. Learners are committed, teachers are well read, parents are supportive, education department is assisting with legislative prescripts, while the business community is playing its social responsibility role (although much more can still be achieved), bearing in mind the new normal presented by Covid-19 teaching and learning imperatives.
Madibatlou Middle School believes in the motto: “Environment Everything, Heredity Nothing.” If a learner is given the right, conducive environment for learning, such a learner can be successful. Madibatlou Middle School is therefore not waiting for freebies, but doing the most out of the little it has, for the benefit of the community.