Thabo Peter Gallens, father to the journalist Mahlatse (née Gallens) Mahlatsi, is a struggle veteran.
Gallens cut his political teeth in the black consciousness movement. He later joined Cope and played a prominent role as a regional leader. However, he has since left the political organisation. Gallens studied at the Turfloop University, now the University of the North. There he met many activists who now occupy prominent positions in government and the corporate sector. He has also played a prominent role in the June 16 uprising in Soweto and Kagiso.I also remember that political meetings used to be held at his house. In essence, he has made an invaluable contribution in the struggle against apartheid. But his contribution in the struggle remains unrecognised, just like that of many other struggle veterans.
However, my objective is not to write about Gallens, popularly known as Tyde, as a political person. I want to write about him as a teacher and the role he has ? and is playing ? in helping learners in his local area, Kagiso, learn Maths.
Tyde is a retired teacher. But, interestingly, he continues to teach Maths to the local learners for free. He has been doing that for as long as I can remember. During my school days, he (together with other locals) taught us Maths, Science and English over the weekends and school holidays.
Gallens is a damn good teacher. The excellent results he has produced in his former school, Randfontein High, and with the learners he has taught on the sidelines, speak for themselves. He has produced As and Bs.
The lockdown might have slowed him down. He is probably not teaching right now due to the lockdown regulations. But he loves teaching with all his heart. He has vowed not to stop teaching as long as he is able to.
The struggle veteran, who is now in his seventies, could have chosen to put the chalk down and enjoy his retirement. (He would have been playing with and running after his grandchildren.) No, he has chosen to continue helping learners understand Maths better. He is unlikely to get recognition for that. But in my book, he is a hero.
