The Making of a Head Prefect.
Camps Bay High School’s 2026 Head Prefect: Blessing Manguno – Leading With Heart, Courage and Authenticity
When the announcement was made at a special assembly and Blessing Manguno’s name was called as Camps Bay High School’s 2026 Head Prefect, he describes the moment as “surreal.” “It took a few seconds to sink in,” he reflects. “I didn’t expect it at all. The most special part was that in that moment, I suddenly remembered how far I’ve come. Everything I’ve faced… and how I’ve kept going. It was overwhelming in the best way.”
For many at Camps Bay High School, the news felt absolutely right. Blessing is the kind of learner who instantly lights up a space, not because he tries to – but because he can’t help it. His warmth, kindness and effortless ability to connect with people have made him a beloved figure on campus.
He is also one of the school’s most remarkable achievers. In Grade 11, he achieved a rare triple win at the Jan van Riebeeck Arts Festival, taking first place for the highest marks in Creative Writing, Drama and Singing. He maintains a consistent A aggregate. He dances, he sings, he writes, he leads, he gives. He serves the school through involvement with the Interact Society, the Catering Team, the PR Team, and in countless quiet ways people often don’t see.
And he has done it all with a resilience shaped by a childhood that demanded more strength than any young person should ever have to muster.
A Journey of Courage
Blessing’s life changed forever at age seven when he lost his mother – his greatest source of love and security. In the years that followed, he faced instability and hardship that no child should have to navigate. At 13, after bravely confiding in a Grade 7 teacher about what he was experiencing at home, Child Welfare intervened. Blessing was placed in the South African Children’s Home, one of Cape Town’s oldest child and youth care centres. The Home provides safety, structure and support for young people who cannot live with their families, with a focus on helping each child thrive in school and in life. “It taught me that the world doesn’t revolve around me,” he says thoughtfully. “There are so many children there, and everyone has their own needs and struggles. I learned to put others first, to be patient, to be kind… to do everything with love. My mother taught me that too. Even now, I try to honour her by living that way.”
Blessing has remained focused, hopeful and extraordinarily driven.
“I always told myself: I want to make my mom proud. And one day, when I have a family of my own, I want to give them the life I didn’t have. That’s what keeps me going.”
Finding His Voice at Camps Bay High School
Arriving at Camps Bay High School in Grade 8, Blessing stepped into a place that would allow him to grow, flourish, and be seen.
Dreaming Forward
After matric, Blessing will continue his journey at the Waterfront Theatre School, completing the four-year performing arts diploma and an Associate qualification that will allow him to teach. “I want to share my talent,” he says. “I want to inspire kids who feel scared to be themselves, or scared to dream big. Wherever life takes me, that’s my purpose.” If he could speak on any stage in the world, it would be the United Nations. “I’d talk about acceptance. And how people think being gay is a choice – but it isn’t. I want people to understand the impact their words can have. Everyone deserves dignity, safety, and the freedom to be who they are.”
He is not just a Head Prefect.
He is a reminder of the power of courage, authenticity, and community.
He is, in every sense of the word, a blessing.
The post Blessing Manguno – Camps Bay High School’s 2026 Head Prefect appeared first on The Home Of Great South African News.
The Making of a Head Prefect
The post Blessing Manguno – Camps Bay High School’s 2026 Head Prefect appeared first on The Home Of Great South African News. Read More
