GEORGE NEWS - Wilbur Pedro, principal of Hibernia Primary, retired at the end of October, after a career in education spanning 43 years and 10 months.
Pedro started his teaching career at Hibernia (then the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) Missionary School) in January 1980 and dedicated his whole career to the school.
After six years, in January 1987, he was promoted to departmental head. He became deputy principal in 1995, following up the then deputy principal Neville Prins, who succeeded the late Clarence Gelderblom as principal. Pedro acted as principal and was appointed principal of his alma mater in 1997.
According to former colleagues, Pedro distinguished himself at a very early stage as a self-disciplined, dedicated, loyal and enthusiastic educator, and a progressive thinker with good communication and leadership skills.
His community involvement speaks for itself. He served on various non-government organisations such as George Child and Family Welfare, Babs (Build a Better Society), Rosemoor Service Centre for the Aged, and the Le Vallia Ratepayers Association, in which capacity he negotiated for serviced plots for the establishment of Protea Park some decades ago.
Pedro paid tribute to his mentors, former and present colleagues, the school governing body, school community and fellow colleagues of other schools for assisting him in his lifelong efforts to make a difference in the lives of learners.
With some humour and humility he claimed to hold the record for starting his career at his alma mater and having the honour and privilege to retire at the same institution, with 26 years as school principal.
Pedro was born in 1958 in Cradock Street, George South or as it was known, the "Onderdorp". He started Grade 1 in January 1964 at Kretzenshoop DRC Missionary Primary School in Blanco, where his late father James was an educator.
During the years of the de-humanising Group Areas Act, they were forced out of town to relocate to Santaville, later called Conville. He was then enrolled at Hibernia DRC Missionary Primary School in January 1966 when he was in Grade 3.
He matriculated at George High School under difficult political circumstances in 1976.
Initially he wanted to study theology at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), heavily influenced by his religious minister of that time, dominee Chris April. However, he opted for the South Cape Training College in Oudtshoorn where he completed his teacher's diploma in 1979.
He was offered a post at both his alma maters, Hibernia Primary School and George High School.
Pedro is from the well-known Pedro family of 13 Caledon Street, Camphersdrift, where his grandfather lived until 1969 when he was forcefully removed to Pacaltsdorp. All four of his late father's brothers were in the teaching profession, as well as most of their siblings.
Wilbur is married to Deirdre, who is also in the teaching profession, and the couple has three children, Wilmare, Wilbur jr and Ludolph, who are studying at Stellenbosch, Wits and University of Cape Town (UCT), respectively.
A thanksgiving service was held for him at the Uniting Reformed Church in George.
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