Letter: Local teacher shares inspiring message

Editor – I remember the days I never wanted to become a teacher.

ALSO READ: Letter: Local motorist grateful for fixed road

I had no desire to have my own children or to spend most of my time around them.

Growing up there were years when my relationship with my father was filled with conflict, so when he said, “You should become a teacher or a lawyer because you talk too much,”

I kicked against it with all my might.

I tried several things before entering education – hairdressing, ministry and more – and after being unemployed for a while, the only door that would open led to education over and over again.

Eventually, I gave in, and I’ve never looked back since. At the time, the logic was that it offered stability, a door to the world since educators were sought after globally.

In the end, I also realised that it offered variety, and those were the two things I needed in a vocation.

ALSO READ: Letter: Bonaero Park resident says enough is enough with politics in Council

While studying for my Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), during my second practical, I realised how much I care, how much I love the kids, and how much I desire to see them succeed.

When I was younger, I desired to leave South Africa. In fact, I couldn’t wait (but then again, that was true about moving out too, as one would expect from a teen), and then God changed my heart.

My children are my people, the people of South Africa, black, white and everywhere in between, are my people, and I am deeply passionate about seeing them, seeing us all flourish.

My heart is touched by their desire for community, how they draw together around each other, around me, throughout the good and the bad.

We belong to each other and we care for each other.

I love the cultures we share with each other.

I love the celebration, the music, the affection, and the joy we share.

ALSO READ: Letter: Reader questions legality of street vendors in Birchleigh North

There is hope for a supposedly hopeless generation, and I see the evidence of this every day.

I love to see the kids hype each other up, even over the smallest things, like a new haircut.

At first, I couldn’t imagine being here, teaching, and now I can’t imagine doing anything else, or being anywhere else.

May we continue to celebrate the best of each other, may we continue to lift each other up, may we continue to integrate our lives and cultures, and may we continue to learn from each other and share with each other.

My desire is that we may celebrate what has been previously unappreciated.

My wish is to make my children realise that they are individuals within their given culture groups, while still upholding their desire for community, because only then can we take a personal level of responsibility for our actions.

ALSO READ: Letter: Reader with diabetic child pleads for night-time loadshedding be eased

We, as the people of South Africa, have the power to turn the tide of our future, the future of our children.

May we all remember why we do what we do.

Andrea Szana

Also follow us on: