Aunty Bali keeps MEPS’ hostel and courtyards spick-and-span
Balanganani Mulaudzi, also known as aunty Bali says her job as hostel keeper is a constant shift between love, fun and discipline.
POLOKWANE – “Being an aunty is no less important than being a teacher or a parent. The level of responsibility that comes with these jobs may be different than those of an office or corporate job, but they are no less important.
Balanganani Mulaudzi is a 55-year-old hostel keeper at Myngenoegen English Private School (MEPS). Learners and staff normally call her aunty Bali and her key responsibility is to keep the common areas in the school clean and tidy.
“I am responsible for maintaining the cleanliness and order of the hostel rooms and school courtyards. This involves tasks such as making beds, sweeping, and mopping in learners’ facilities and staff common areas.”
Her duties include assisting children with basic homework when they need assistance, keep the bathrooms clean, make sure learners make up their beds, make sure they are ready and appropriately dressed for school and make sure they eat breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Aunty Bali joined the school in 1998 and this year is her 25th year at the school as a long serving worker.
“Talking to the children and finding moments for us to have fun. It’s such small moments of impact like having a clean environment for learners to play in, seeing the smiles on their faces after a good meal, and watching them grow to become young adults that make it so pleasing to work with kids.”
My highlight was when I used to cook in the kitchen. I took pride in the food I prepared and loved the compliments I got from learners and staff who ate the food I made, she says.
In some instances, aunty Bali takes up the role of being a parent, teacher, friend and worker.
Aunty Bali expresses her job as a constant shift between love, fun and discipline as well as stressful at times.
“Anyone that has been a parent knows that kids can take you up and down but watching the children learn and grow makes it all worth it.
She says disciplining the children is what she likes leaste about her job because children tend to be messy and at times children are tempted to leave their rooms untidy, as they often don’t pay much attention to how they look before leaving the hostel.
“As a housekeeper, it is our responsibility to help the children become aware of these small behaviours. I prefer having to listen to them and understand what they have to say about how they see their behaviour and the challenges that they experience.
She adds that she is most proud of being at a school that cares about her well-being, and appreciate how they treat her with mutual respect.
