Lucky Nkopane (49) is the principal of Brakpan High School. The Minnebron resident has been at the helm of the school since 2009. He is married to Pinky (43) and has four children: Palesa (18), Kananelo (15), Reatile (9) and Reneilwe (7).
• Provide a brief description of your career history.
I have taught at Nkgopoleng High School, in the Free State, and at Tsakane Secondary School.
I matriculated at Tsakane Secondary School and trained as a teacher at the then East Rand College of Education.
While teaching science, I enrolled at the University of Johannesburg (then Rand Afrikaans University) for a further education diploma in mathematics and science.
After attaining distinctions in my major subjects at university I was offered a bursary by the National Research Foundation to pursue BSc Honours at Wits University specialising in science education.
I currently hold a Master of Science degree from Wits University and I’m pursuing my PhD in science education with Unisa.
I became a prominent science educator in the district after producing a 100 per cent pass-rate for a number of years.
The Department of Education appointed me to teach selected Grade 10 to 12 learners at Sci-Bono Discovery Centre.
I was appointed a senior marker for the matric Physical Sciences Paper One in 2012.
• What inspired you to become a school principal?
My love for the academic fraternity and the urge to achieve and to give back to the fraternity was my inspiration for becoming a principal.
• How would your learners describe you?
I believe they see me as a man who is passionate about academic excellence and who is strict, but compassionate at the same time.
• When you were at school which subject provided the best learning experience for you?
I loved physical science.
I enjoyed analysing complex higher order questions, mechanics, magnetism and the atomic model.
I got a thrill in unpacking and simplifying them to my peers.
I was obsessed with Euclidean geometry. I still can’t describe that feeling at this stage of my life.
• What do you like most about your job?
Being a principal is being everything to everybody at any given time.
You need to be able to multitask and to put everyone first.
You need to give courage to a teacher, an administrator, a general assistant, a security guard, who has personal challenges and encourage them to give their all to the service of the school.
You need to be a hero to learners who come from broken families and encourage them to emulate you.
You need to assure parents that their children are safe under your leadership.
Doing all the above with diligence fills my heart with joy and I wouldn’t trade this for anything else.
• Is there any advice you would give to a person who is starting out in your chosen career?
This is a calling and you need to be devoted, and you need to be willing to be of service to others at all times.
• What do you see on the horizon for your line of work?
The youth of today has socio-economic challenges that are beyond their comprehension.
My challenge is to show them that through education they can conquer.
I aim to make Brakpan High perpetually a space that is conducive for teaching and learning, where the underprivileged learners will work and realise their full potential.
• Do you have any hobbies or special interests?
I regard myself as an astute musician.
I’m a member of the internationally acclaimed Cenestra Male Choir.
I’ll be part of the choristers who will be touring Argentina and Uruguay in July.
I also take part in the liturgical music in the Catholic church every Sunday.
• Who or what inspires you?
I am inspired by people who are ambitious and aspire to achieve against all odds and who never let their present circumstances impact negatively on their future.
• What do you feel you have bragging rights to?
I am able to serve others without expecting them to thank me.
And I understand that what I do is not done by me, but it is done through me.
• What is your favourite thing about Brakpan?
Brakpan is a place that is developing in terms of business and that is good for the future and the economy.
The community endeavours to live in harmony amid the cultural barriers.
