A touching tradition at a North West high school has captured the hearts of South Africans, leaving many deeply moved by its profound message of humility and service. Each year, students from Potchefstroom Gimnasium engage in a heartwarming ceremony where they wash the feet of their younger Grade 8 peers. This practice draws inspiration from the biblical story in John 13: 1-17, in which Jesus humbly washed the feet of His disciples, demonstrating His love and servant leadership.
In the passage, Jesus pours water into a basin and washes the feet of His followers, wiping them with a towel as a symbol of His care and devotion. This gesture of service serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of humility and selflessness. At Potchefstroom Gimnasium, older students carry this sacred tradition forward, washing the feet of the Grade 8 learners as a way of showing them care and reinforcing the values of kindness and service.
A recent Facebook post shared by the school shows the touching moment where older learners, gently and respectfully, wash the feet of their younger counterparts. The post highlighted that the tradition is part of the Gimmie Word weekend, an annual event that aims to foster unity and spiritual growth within the school community. The Council’s gesture wasn’t just about the physical act of foot washing; it carried a deeper message: to remain humble, to serve others, and to lift one another up. The learners were encouraged to always remember to “wash each other’s feet” metaphorically—by supporting and helping each other grow. The post also emphasized the importance of focusing on God’s plan for their lives, making paths for others to follow, and aiming for greater heights together.
The post quickly went viral, gaining over 29,000 likes and reactions, with nearly 2,000 comments and more than 14,000 shares. The heartfelt response from social media users reflects how deeply people are moved by this display of kindness and humility. Many commented on how the gesture stands in stark contrast to more common school traditions that often highlight competition and self-promotion.
Mariana Janse van Vuuren, one of the commenters, praised the initiative, calling it “so different from the usual tradition that breaks down children’s self-esteem” and urged other schools across the country to follow this example. “Be an example to the rest of South Africa’s schools,” she wrote, acknowledging the impact this act of service could have on young minds.
Esther Mbayu also expressed her admiration, calling it the “most amazing thing” she had ever seen, and wishing blessings upon the school. “May God bless this school. Glory be to our Lord Jesus,” she commented. Others, like Katty Ntsele, echoed her sentiment, encouraging other schools to adopt similar traditions. “This is indeed beautiful to watch. May other schools see and follow. All you need to do is try and implement, God Himself will do the rest,” she said.
Charlie Swaartz captured the essence of the gesture by referring to it as an example of “a servant’s heart.” He reflected on how the act encouraged students to forget pride and fear, instead elevating each other through prayer and mutual support. “A servant’s heart. Forgetting about pride and fear, elevating one another in prayer,” he wrote.
This simple yet profound tradition has sparked a conversation about the importance of service, humility, and unity in South African schools. It serves as a reminder of the power of small acts of kindness and their ability to inspire positive change within communities. The gesture is more than just a ceremonial act; it is a testament to the values that the school seeks to instill in its students and a powerful lesson in leadership for the next generation.
