I was fortunate enough to visit Bulawayo over the Easter Weekend, and at the outset, I must say that I found Bulawayo to be in the midst of water restrictions, the city was very dry with lots of dead and dry grass all around.

On visiting Hamilton High School, I found it and all the gates locked. So after taking some photographs through the front gates, I searched around, until I was able to gain access to the school through one of the side gates. I took more photographs, which I will placed on this page with suitable headings, as soon as I have had them developed.

I first walked across the main field, which I knew as the athletics field. It looked to be in reasonable condition, although the stands, which have been erected since I left, looked to be rather run down and dilapidated. I noticed that the school buildings were entirely enclosed by a high fence, but on walking around I managed to find some open gates and was able to get near to the buildings.

After having to fight my way through long grass, which was everywhere, signifying a general lack of attention to the basic up keep of the property, I found my way between the Tennis courts, which are in dire need of care and attention. My biggest shock was still to come however, when I finally reached the Hallowed ground of the 1st Team Rugby, to find it Brown, with Two foot paths running through it to the servants quarters. It was with some apprehension that I climbed the stairs to the upper fields which used to be the home of the lower Rugby Teams, Soccer and Base Ball, but nothing could have prepared me for what I saw. As far as the eye could see, was hip high bush grass, with what one could still distinguish to be Rugby and Goal posts protruding from it.

I made my way across the 1st team rugby field towards the Woodwork and Metalwork shops and stared at the old bicycle shed, which by comparison to everything that I had seen, was in a fairly good state of repair. Walking through the school, I felt a little better, the "New" hall (built after I left the School) looked good and the buildings, although in need of some paint, were generally in a reasonable state of repair. I cannot for the life of me understand why broken windows (I counted 10) are not immediately replaced! Aside from the danger to pupils, they result in further damage to school property. The one class next to the hall was marked "DANGER DO NOT ENTER".

It was unfortunate that I could not walk around inside the buildings, or chat to Mr. Dube, or any other teachers, but that will have to wait for my next visit. I was able to talk to the ex-groundsman, who told me that the grounds were now being looked after by the parents and he had been left in charge of security since December 1998. It seems as through the parents need a bomb under them.....

by Bill Verster

This page has been visited times since 15 April 1999

Construction of the New School Hall - Thistle 1972

courtesy Alan Roberts