Jackie Botma, a former Eunice learner and teacher for many years, has been appointed as the principal of the Eunice High School on Monday 19 January.
She acted in the position since the previous principal, Zinnette de Wet, took on the role of principal at the Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool in Pretoria in April 2025.
After attending many schools, including a school in the United Kingdom (UK) from 1982 to 1984, she began her association with Eunice in 1987 when she attended Gr. 10 and later matriculated at the school.
She completed her education at the University of the Free State (UFS) in 1994 and began her teaching career at Eunice a year later.
After a year, Botma moved to Namibia to teach in Grootfontein, and later returned to Bloemfontein to resume her teaching career in 2001 at Eunice.
After being appointed as the deputy principal in 2018, she became the fifth principal to this prestigious girls’ school in Bloemfontein in the first term of 2026.
Botma says Eunice is her happy place.
“Coming to school in the mornings is such a pleasure. Every morning, I am greeted by smiling faces.”
She is very proud of the school’s academic achievements, but believes that the learners should have balanced lives, taking part in sport and cultural activities.
Botma says one of her visions for Eunice in 2026 is that there should be healthy competition in sport. “There is nothing wrong with being competitive. We want to focus more on sports, getting teams and athletes to perform on higher levels.”
About her appointment as principal, she said De Wet was a wonderful mentor to her. “I learned that you never say no to an opportunity. You will never feel ready, because being ready is not a feeling – It is a decision.”
