Shakaskraal power couple retire after combined 74 years of education

Shakaskraal power couple Preggy and Rina Reddy have stepped away from the chalkboard and are embracing their retirement.

At retirement, Preggy was department head at Shakaskraal Primary School and Rina was deputy principal at North Coast Agricultural College, formerly Shakaskraal Secondary school, since 2011.

Professional colleagues paid tribute to the Reddys for their combined 74 years in education, mostly in Shakaskraal.

North Coast Agricultural College principal Sunjay Bodasing saluted Rina as a teacher, associate and friend who had served the teaching profession with distinction.

“Having had the privilege of teaching beside her, this spritely, energetic teacher through sheer dedication and passion rose through the ranks to become an accomplished, seasoned administrator at North Coast Agricultural College. Her courage and disciplined lifestyle stands out as a sterling example of her determination to conquer her prevailing health conditions. Indeed, there is much to emulate from this iron lady,” said Bodasing.

Shakaskraal Primary School deputy principal Julian Govender felt honoured to have been a part of Preggy’s professional journey.

“We applaud him for the years of service and achievement towards enhancing education. The countless lives that he has impacted through his knowledge most certainly made a difference to the pupils that went through his hands,” said Govender.

Acting CEO of Enterprise iLembe, Cheryl Peters, who was taught by Rina at Shakaskraal Secondary School, said she had fond memories of the ‘sports couple’, always in their trendy tracksuits.

“Mrs Reddy was my physical education teacher and was extremely strict. I initially hated PE lessons, but as time went by I realised that she was really ‘cool’ – strict, but cool. She would give us ‘young ladies’ life lessons and always stressed the importance of eating healthily and exercising (advice that I practice to this day). Mrs Reddy expected nothing but excellence from all her students. You did not have to be the best but you had to show up and try,” said Peters.

According to their daughter Yurisha, the couple met and studied at Springfield College in 1981 and were married in 1985.

They lived in Shakaskraal and were keen supporters of Tongaat volleyball teams Liberte and Watsonia for many years.

“My mum was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in 2013. She was put off for the year but her mind was always on school and her pupils,” said Yurisha.

“Through the chemo and radiation, she still made the time to help her matric pupils. That is a true testament of my mum’s character, worrying about others first, before herself. My dad stood by mum’s side, being our pillar of strength. My mum has persevered and we are all now stronger because of it,” she said.