At times it has been a rocky road for the former principal of Sunshine Special School, transforming this special needs education centre to the level of excellence it operates on. Now this principal, Candace Kivedo (65), is looking forward to rocky roads of another nature, those leading to barren, desolated and ancient landscapes.
Kivedo has been the principal at Sunshine Special School for the past 29 years and retired at the end of March 2021. She has seen this school grown from its humble beginnings to being one of the country’s newest and state-of-art facilities, specially equipped to meet the developmental needs of intellectually impaired learners and children with Down Syndrome.
“Although sad, I am filled with contentment, thankfulness and joy. Sunshine offered me so much, but it now is time for a new chapter in my life,” said Candace Kivedo on 31 March, her last day of being principal at Sunshine School.
“I will miss every aspect of the school, especially the dedicated staff and learners, I also wish to fulfil a course, to bring about change and see the difference it will make.”
Start of the road
The school was registered at the Department of Education on 1 July 1991. Prior to this date it was registered as one of the former Department of Mental Health’s educational projects to take care of children with special needs.
Kivedo’s journey as Sunshine’s acting principal started during January 1992 and she soon became the first principal of this “new” public school.
“I have been part and parcel of the development of Sunshine from it being declared a public school up to the present R81 million state-of-art education centre upgrade. I am proud to be associated with this school.
“I would also like to thank the community, local businesses and especially the social clubs namely Rotary Club of Uitenhage South and the Uitenhage Lions Club for their continued and loyal support.”
Following Kivedo’s retirement, Magdalene George will be Sunshine’s acting principal until the appointment of a new principal.
Roads to barren landscapes
“I love to travel. I want to pack my bags and take the road to the Northern Cape and Namibia, exploring the wide-open spaces and enjoying the extreme weather conditions and pure air. Barren landscapes fill my soul.”
Road to the future
Although retired, Kivedo has one more self-imposed task with regard to Sunshine Special School. “I definitely want to write a book about Sunshine’s history. It has not been documented yet. I would like to let the story of Sunshine inspire and bring hope … we all need a bit of ‘Sunshine’ to brighten up a day!”
