Great South African Teachers by Jonathan Jansen, with Nangamso Koza and Lihlumelo Toyana (Macmillan and Bookstorm), R159. ISBN: 9781920434243

In the gloom surrounding much of the teaching profession in South Africa today, this is a welcome collection. 

When the Sunday Times invited readers to submit accounts from their own experience, the contributions flowed in from individuals educated in any of the many types of schools, rural and urban, white and black, especially those under apartheid, rich and poor.

Jonathan Jansen, in the excellent introduction, explains the different categories into which he and his colleagues have divided the educators: subject artist, courageous activist, inspiring mentor, life performer, soft disciplinarian, tough-love coach and extended parent.

There is no one mould for a successful teacher and those cited are vastly different in personality, in technique, in approach.

The contributions are often artless, but sincere and convincing.