Tumelo ‘Ryder’ Mofokeng is known as an excellent teacher and also walked away with the overall prize in the teacher’s recognition awards last year at Moduopo Primary School.
Mr Mofokeng was commended for his dedication and excellence in serving the community of Tembisa.
The 42-year-old former football star started teaching in 2011 following his successful football career in the Premier Soccer League (PSL).
“I left professional football when I was 35 years old and I became a teacher,” said Mr Mofokeng.
He studied teaching between 1995 and 1997.
He said switching from professional football to a career in education came with its own challenges.
“I was used to distant noise from cheering fans but now the noise is in a confined space, in a class filled with children,” Mr Mofokeng said.
“In soccer I trained two hours a day and in teaching I have to work eight hours a day. I enjoy teaching too much.”
He said his service to the community is nurturing children.
Mr Mofokeng believes that if he focused on educating from the onset he would be far by now.
“My calling is in teaching. I have always been passionate about equipping children with skills. I used to train them while I was playing football,” said the former Mamelodi Sundowns player.
Moduopo Primary School’s principal Mr Masilo Serumula said Mr Mofokeng is a willing teacher as he never complains but he does his job.
“We are blessed to work with him. You never tell him what to do. He is a workaholic,” said Mr Serumula.
Mr Mofokeng is a former learner of the very same school at which he teaches.
He said some of his colleagues used to teach him when he was a learner there.
Mr Mofokeng, who used play for teams such as Aziz Kara, also known as FCAK, Tembisa Classic and Mamelodi Sundowns, is now studying sports administration and he is a deputy chairperson of the Tembisa School Football Club Association.
“I would advise young people to stay away from drugs and they must study even if they plan to play football. Soccer is a short-term career,” he said.
When asked what he would love to say to his colleagues, he said he would love to thank the principal and the senior management team for giving him the opportunity to teach and for having confidence in him.
“Last year’s recognition awards shocked me because I wasn’t expecting their recognition,” he said.
The community commends him for his hard work too.
“My former learners do come back to thank me for the contribution I made to their lives,” he said.
