The deputy principal of Khunjuliwe Secondary School, Mr Sipho Mokoena, has many irons in the fire.
He was recently appointed as chairman of the board at the Standerton TB Hospital and managed to squeeze in an interview before rushing off to his next virtual meeting.
As a geography and history teacher in Standerton for close on 26 years, he took a sober view on the challenges that learners, especially the Grade 12s, experience during the Covid-19 regulations.
“The little time spent with teachers are going to impact negatively on their results,” Mr Mokoena said.
“We might have a challenge as a country with schools closing on 15 December and the marking of results.”
According to him, indications are that results will be available in late January.
He warned however, that speed should not be of the essence.
“If it is going to be a bit of a rush job, we are going to get it wrong.”
Mr Mokoena qualified as teacher in Daveyton, Johannesburg and is now teaching the Grade 8s and Grade 9s.
Between his wife, Nomsa and himself, the Mokoenas parented eight children and one granddaughter is about to be born.
The children are aged between 29 years and 13 years and Sipho did not hesitate for a second about what makes him happy.
“It gives me great joy to see my kids progress,” he said.
He is about to enter in lobola-negotiations with his future in-laws in Queenstown and will meet them as they have only spoken over the telephone as yet.
Whether the number of cattle will go down, is to be seen and the celebrations will adhere to cultural observations.
He has a hands-on approach to executing his duties as chairman of the hospital board and with transparency on his mind. brought the CEO, Ms Wendy Ngcobo, along to the interview.
As regards the renovations at the hospital, Sipho is a firm believer in the effect of a positive environment on well-being. He is of the opinion that psychology has to be considered when a patient is admitted to hospital.
“We need a look that will say to a patient, this is where you are going to get help,” he concluded.
