This and that with Mal'phosa - Izali Beula i-Sewula

A wise man one said a doctor's mistake is buried under ground while a teacher's mistake roams the streets. Having experienced both worlds as a health worker and a teacher, I would say the teacher still feels the joy of meeting his own ‘mistakes' in the street. They still hold him in great awe. His mistakes are quickly forgiven but not forgotten. I met a number of my mistakes in Jozi recently – through this group chat thing. It felt like being back there at Seula, with my students. While I must admit I was not one of their darling teachers, they were able to hide their disgust under a veil sarcastic humour.

One told me straight that she failed English because I was a bad teacher. I asked her if she had been a good student herself. Another had fond memories of a story I told one day at assembly. She has since made the story her own. The same former student said I disappointed her greatly one day; I had asked the class to write about the person they admired most. She wrote about Jesus. She said my comment was arrogant: "Come down to earth," I am supposed to have said. Another reminds me that in her friends essay I wrote, "Ubhale umfefezo nje". And in another's, "Ubhale amahungahunga"! Another said someone had stolen her gwadla, and that someone must pay back – with a bucket of KFC. And he called this advancement of technology.

They reminded one another of teachers' nicknames and those of their former school mates too. It was funny to hear most of those unwanted names again, said with great love and remembrance and nostalgia. I thought to myself; how many battles was I asked to intervene in after someone had called somebody else Madolo, Sitshopoli, Zinyo, Savunguzane, Seven, Gcigci, Ngcethe, or some other not so pleasant name. But teachers' nicknames, although we knew who was called what were said behind their backs. Who would call a teacher Skwakwa, Ndwangu, Characteristic, Gino and survive another day?

The headmaster then was a very fair disciplinarian and it was very difficult to take any of his actions personally. Just the mention of his name would whip any cantankerous ones into the straight and narrow. He was admired by both parents and teachers and feared by all the students. The former students remember how he caned all the boys one day ngenxa ka ski. Like many former Seulians – both students and teachers, he has since joined the Higher Power above, and may their dear souls rest in peace! Of course, there are some who had been rumoured to have died long ago. They are still sticking around and have confirmed that for the next hundred or so years, they intend doing so! I also had been rumoured to have checked out too, so they tell me.

Families were not spared. Some are known for being abathakathi, abazingeli or poachers, home wreckers, gossipers, and church goers. But we can't answer for that now because we have our own families too.  This, I believe, is a unique group. There are many interesting and mature subjects being discussed. Besides the jokes, rumours, and all, there shall be a get together at the zoo lake on the second of August. So, if you know you come from Beula-Seula, you are invited. The way forward for the group will be discussed on this very special day. One hopes it shall be launched into a fully-fledge Old Students' Association. It must not just be a meeting of old friends and teachers; there must be ideas on how to help our former school. Already, there have been areas identified, such as the broken doors and window panes at the school, leaking roofs, shortage of desks, and so on. This is the only other way the group shall remain relevant – helping out their school for future generations.

I would also like to suggest that we buy a school kit for the sporting groups – soccer, netball, athletics and volley-ball. We can also sponsor a tournament on behalf of the school – a cross-country race will be a good start. We can also encourage our students to read. We now know how it feels to be a ‘mistake' roaming the streets. Let us sponsor a prize for Mathematics, Accounts, English or any subject of our choice. This will encourage our students to read widely and wildly!

Later when the economy decides to perform, we can start supplementing our teachers' salaries. This will encourage them to stay and be more dedicated. Let us show our community that we care. It will be easy because we know firsthand the type of life we experienced in that school. But, there will always be the annoying red-tape. When I was still a teacher, any sponsor had to be approved by the ministry of education. I one asked the Red Cross to assist our students when I was still at Seula. The bile I got from the authorities was shocking. They accused me of campaigning for the post of MP! And my ideas were spiked! May-be we need to register with the ministry first, so that our request to sponsor any activity involving Beula-Seula can be expedited.

Finally, I would like to applaud whoever came up with this idea of forming a chat-group. It is a chat group with a lot of purpose and promise. It deals directly with real life issues. I once belonged to a chat group and all there was was exchange of Biblical verses. Of course, the Bible says man shall not live on bread alone. But it does not say he shall live on the word alone, either. Another family chat group was hijacked by Bible bashers and church-goers. All day it was verse after verse and word after word but no bread. I politely pulled out and in our next meeting  I warned them against turning the family thing into a scripture union. Not everyone in the family was a Christian and a lot of people may leave the group because of this – and they have already done so. Beula-Seula has a mission. They want to change the educational landscape in the area. Instead of encouraging their children to come to Goli like their own brothers used to do to them, they want to produce their own teachers and doctors with their own resources. I can boldly say izaliBeula iSeula, all  you old Old School Associations, if you are not careful! Ngiyabonga mina.