Lawley Primary School has a rich and inspiring history rooted in community, vision, and resilience.

The journey began in 1923, when B. Mpinga , originally from Mabaleng in the Eastern Transvaal, arrived in Lawley with his family. It was there that the seeds of education were planted.

That same year, Mr. Mhlongo, a passionate community leader, helped open a school inside the church building. Though the numbers were small in the beginning, his commitment was unwavering — and he became the school’s very first teacher. His modest salary was made possible through funds raised at church concerts.

As the school slowly grew, Mr. Sigasa joined as an assistant. After Mr. Mhlongo retired, Mrs. Kubheka (née Zulu) took over teaching duties. Sadly, Mr. Sigasa passed away in 1939, and Mrs. Kubheka stepped in to continue the work.

With help from church members, Mr. Mpinga oversaw the building of a few classrooms within the churchyard. These were officially opened in 1941, and by 1944, the institution was formally registered as Lutheran Junior School, offering tuition from Grade 1 to Grade 3.

The school’s first official principal was Mrs. Hilda Phaahle, supported by Miss A. Ntsoane and Miss Mkata. In 1945, Mrs. Maleka returned from further studies and succeeded Mrs. Phaahle as principal.

With the introduction of Bantu Education, the school’s name was changed to Iphutheng Lower Primary School. Under the leadership of Mrs. G. Maleka, and later Mrs. A. Mangwedi, the school expanded rapidly. By 1964, there were seven female teachers and 544 learners. Due to overcrowding, classes were scattered across several church premises in the community.

In 1982, Mrs. Mangwedi retired, and Mrs. Makwela became principal in 1983, overseeing 656 learners and a team of 12 staff members. Her first major challenge was to unify the fragmented branches into a single, manageable school. Through determination and leadership, this was achieved using the former Ikage Lower Primary School and MC Weiler buildings.

From 1989, the school entered a new era. It moved into a modern three-storey building at the corner of London and 18th Avenue. The following year, Grade 5 was introduced, and the school became known as Iphutheng Primary School. In 2000, the Grade R class was launched.

Today, known proudly as Lawley Primary School, we serve learners from Grade R to Grade 7, with 1,284 learners and a dedicated team of 41 staff members — continuing a legacy that began with a single teacher and a powerful dream.