A diamond 53 years in the making

Homo Doctus Turis Fortitudinis: A learned man is a tower of strength.

These are words from the pen of Mr Goolam Rassool Sheikh, proudly displayed on the crest of Ermelo Combined School.

Born in Ermelo, Mr Sheikh (76) began his school years at the very same school where he has been teaching for the past 53 years.

Known then as the Ermelo Indian and Coloured School, pupils were only taught up to Grade 8 and he had to leave Ermelo to complete high school in Johannesburg.

His dream was to study medicine or law, but without the luxury of a scholarship or bursary, this was not meant to be.

Growing up poor, he had no choice but to return to Ermelo and very nearly accepted an internship at a company where he would end up filling paraffin bottles.

It was then that his old principal who was teaching at the Johannesburg College of Education at the time, advised him to pursue a career in teaching.

In 1961, he started his three-year teaching diploma course and, after graduating, he returned to Ermelo as a qualified junior English and Maths teacher.

In January 1964 he began teaching and because of his knowledge of Latin, he was instructed to write the school’s motto as it is known today.

Mr Sheikh recalls 1976 when the school moved to Cassim Park. That was the year he became acting principal and one of his duties was planting a tree on Green Heritage Day.

Today, 41 years later, the old oak tree towers over the school grounds and is affectionately referred to as “Mr Sheikh’s tree”.

28 years ago he experimented with early retirement, he rested and went on his pilgrimage.

However, being a retiree was not to Mr Sheikh’s liking and he returned to school as a substitute teacher and to help out in the school’s financial office.

Shortly thereafter he returned to teaching full time.

“Teaching has become my life,” said Mr Sheikh, who has taught three generations at the school. He is very proud of his ex-learners that made a success of their lives by becoming doctors, lawyers, optometrists and educators.

He refers to himself as “part of the furniture” at the school to which he has devoted his life.

His love for his learners is obvious when he walks down the passage and a mob of the younger ones surround him in admiration and hug him round the legs.

Although he was an avid sportsman and served on many club committees, the 76-year-old fears that he might one day break a leg with all the kids “attacking” him.

Even though the children love their kind-hearted and patient teacher, they also have the greatest respect for him, as everyone knows that discipline is the key word when entering his classroom.

Mr Sheikh proudly teaches his learners his own philosophy in life, namely “think before you ink” and “rest not rust”.

He also believes that one should lead by example and prides himself on never having being late for school and wearing a tie every single day of the 53 years that he has been teaching.

“I had to make a lot of sacrifices in my life time, but if I could have my life over again, I would not have anything different,” said Mr Sheikh, referring to his career and his loving wife, Farida.

Mr Sheikh concluded by saying how grateful he was for the privilege of sharing his knowledge and helping mould other’s futures.

When asked when he plans to retire, he replied: “I’m really only starting to enjoy teaching now, so I’ll leave when I’m not wanted and chased away.”