The responsibility for educating future generations is not a light one by any means, so show your support for these dedicated and important people not just on Teachers’ Day, but throughout the whole year.

In light of the significance of this day, dedicated to educators around the world, the Public Servants Association of South Africa (PSA) is condemning the violence against teachers following the growing number of attacks on them by learners.

“Teachers in the country are faced with overwhelming problems, resulting from mismanagement and corruption. Unhappy, qualified teachers are leaving the sector, taking their wealth of experience and knowledge with them at a time when the education system is being criticised for failing to empower learners in Mathematics, Science and Literacy,” says PSA General Manager, Ivan Fredericks.

A call for parents to play an active role in their children’s upbringing is being made to curb the arising problems learners might have concerning their academics and discipline.

The OFM News team remembered and honoured their favourite teachers:

Olebogeng Motse, journalist:

On International Teacher’s Day, I’d like to give a shout-out to Ms Leecia McNamara and Mrs Conradie.

Ms McNamara was my teacher in grades 5 and 6. She often went the extra mile for all her students and she continued to show me a great deal of love and support when I was still finding myself in high school.

High School can be a difficult and challenging time for learners, and that period can be made easier when learners are fully supported by their teachers. Ms McNamara did this and more for all the students at St Joseph’s Christian Brother’s College.

Then there was Mrs Conradie, my high school English teacher. By the time Mrs Conradie became my teacher, I already loved storytelling. Her constant votes of confidence and kindness made me love the subject even more. There are many more I’d like to mention on this day, Mrs Snyman who wrote on a report card that I should reach for the stars, a report card I carry with me everywhere and look at when I am feeling down. As well as Mrs De Necker, who taught us the importance of giving back to the community.

I am lucky to have been taught by all these amazing women. Happy World Teachers Day to you all!

Lucky Nkuyane, intern:

My heart is filled with a lot of good memories of my three favourite former teachers during my high school days.

It was hard for me to choose one above the other when reminiscing about them.

First, my former English and Setswana teacher, Ma’am Didimalang Ganakgomo, had so much to teach about life and she was literally like my mother. She helped me with cash to attend a radio interview at North West FM in 2016 and also helped with sending through my CV application forms to different institutions.

Another one of my favourite teachers, Ma’am Vuyiswa Kraai-Monkwe, was such a blessing and a had a commanding voice that I, from time to time, regarded it as a safe haven. She also one day, when I was in grade 9, arranged a telephonic chat with one of the producers of Motsweding FM when I was still deciding if journalism was for me and that chat helped a lot.

And lastly, everyone’s favourite but at least my go-to teacher, Mr “Otto” Lekaota, was one of the most influential and inspirational teachers Thuto Tsebo could ever have.

He actually connected all the dots that these former teachers were trying to link for me, he was the brightest and - in a nutshell - took me under his wing, nurtured my thinking, guided my thoughts and helped my debating style.

Happy World Teachers Day to you!

OFM News