Situated in the Northern Province not far from the historic Elim Hospital on a prominent hill is a complex of buildings dating from different periods, known today collectively as the Lemana Community College The College until recently called the Lemana Teacher Training Institution (hereafter referred to as the Institution) carries within its very being, the greatness of one of the country's most historically significant educational institutions. This proposal deals with the planned commemoration of the historical significance of the Institution and its appropriate presentation as a heritage site. The Institution dates from 1906 when buildings on the Farm Rossbach [built 1900] not far from Lemana, were converted into a teacher training facility by missionaries from the Swiss Mission. In 1922 the Institution was relocated to the present site, known as Lemana. The latter is derived from the french name 'Lac Leman' (Lake Geneva, the region in Switzerland where in those days, most of the missionaries came from.] In 1977 the first building (constructed in 1922) associated with the establishment and development of the Institution at Lemana, was destroyed. The building which at that stage was used as a hall, was burnt down as a form of protest by pupils of Lemana who had joined the nationwide campaign against "Bantu Education". It is today widely recognised that the Institution has both consistently and with remarkable success, met the educational and spiritual needs of communities in this part of the country and within the wider Southern African context. The Institution has produced many leaders, in various walks of life, including the academic and business worlds. The Alumni of Lemana include prominent people both within and outside the country's borders. One of them who certainly will be remembered for his leadership achievements in Southern Africa is the late Eduardo Mondlane, fo under and first president of FRELIMO. The Lemana Alumni 's collective contribution to successful nation building and the development of the country's democratic institutions, should not be allowed to go unnoticed.
