Where were you schooled?
I went to Franciscus Primary School and Carlton van Heerden High School, both in Upington in the Northern Cape.
When did you matriculate?
Donkey’s years ago!
Who was your favourite teacher?
My high school English teacher, Mrs Ward. English was one of the subjects that I feared, because it was my second language. But she took the fear out of it by convincing us that we can do it – if we just believe in ourselves. Even when we were dealing with Shakespeare, I’d look forward to going to her classes. I was very shy, but she brought out the drama queen in me.
What didn’t you like about school?
The whole gender thing, especially in maths and science classes. For the last two years of school there were only four girls in a class of over 30 boys. It wasn’t the boys in our class – they accepted us. The problem was some of the teachers who had this attitude that we were somehow interfering in a boy’s world by doing these subjects. There was no acknowledgement for girls who did well in these subjects – the focus was normally on the boys.
Do you think this has changed?
It’s definitely changed. I went back to teach at Carlton van Heerden, my old school, and the best performers in the last decade or so in maths and science have been the girls. Maybe it’s because they’re claiming their territory – maybe that was our fault when I was at school that we didn’t.
Or maybe it’s improved because of the national emphasis on gender sensitivity.
How long did you teach for?
Sixteen years. When I first started, I had to cover four or five syllabi – from Afrikaans Grade 10 to maths for Grade 9. It was too much for me, and at the end of the year I decided to quit. But I stuck it out, and I’m glad I did. It’s contributed to my future, and where I am today.
And where are you today?
I’m with SANParks (South African National Parks). It’s a fantastic life: you can’t be more privileged than working so close to nature, and teaching people to appreciate things they usually just take for granted. But I do miss teaching – especially my kids and colleagues.
What message do you have for teachers?
Don’t take teaching for granted! It’s what made me what I am today. Through teaching, I learnt how to deal with different kinds of people – their minds and attitudes – and situations.