Our Educators
Our beautiful, dedicated educators are not just teachers. They become mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers to the children. The learners are so special to all the staff. The connection becomes really strong as the relationship goes beyond educator and learner, and it is not just from Monday to Friday, but 7-days a week where parents are absent. On good months the educators receive R 1500, which cannot be considered a salary, but is at least something. Every new teacher is reminded that this is a calling, and is not for everyone.
We would love, as we pray and trust in God that, with the little we have been able to share amongst ourselves, and the educators, we will be able to get to a point where we are supporting and taking care of our educators, and their families too. They are giving as they teach and love our children wholeheartedly. They are passionate and excited about what they are doing, and are more than worthy of a good salary.
Some of the educators came in as parents who volunteered because they didn’t have work, but helped where they could. Over time, it was evident that they had been called to fill the gap, and to serve, and they stayed on with us. We are so thankful for each one of our amazing educators. Here is an introduction to each one:
Cinah
Cinah is a trained engineer. At Takane, she is a mathematics and science educator and teaches natural science, technology, life science, and physical science to students in Grades 7 to 10. Cinah is married and has 3 children, 1 of whom is adopted. One of her children attends Takane and is doing very well in her studies. Because she likes maths so much, in her spare time, Cinah enjoys doing calculations!
She says she can’t sleep at night having not done anything that needs her to calculate, and adds, “Calculations is Cinah!” She is so passionate about her subjects that this creates the same passion in the children. Cinah also loves to sing.
Esther
Esther has been at Takane since 2021 and teaches Grade 1 children. She really enjoys her job teaching at the school, and is most interested in mathematics and English. Esther is married with 3 children, and lives close to Takane. In her spare time, she loves reading The Word and praying, and the songs of the Spirit.
Jack
Jack teaches children in Grades 4 to 9 in the subjects of life orientation skills, economic management sciences, and mathematics, and is also teaching Afrikaans, which was recently introduced as per the GDE requirements. He is a qualified language educator by profession. Jack is a sports fanatic and is also the sports coach at the school. He does physical education with the children and sometimes does resistance training too, to get them fit and strong.
Because of space constraints he takes them into the nearby complex where they have facilities for netball and football. The children enjoy football and even play in teams at home. Some of the girls play netball outside of school too. He says that it wasn’t difficult to get them interested in sports, and that some of the children help coach each other too.
Jack also teaches them to play cricket, and that has gone down very well. He says that there are natural cricketers amongst the children, and hopes some will one day play for the Proteas, the SA national team.
Jack used to play rugby at Wendywood High School, North-West University, where he studied economics, and for Diggers Rugby Club, and still keeps fit at the gym. He enjoys the new challenge of being in a classroom at Takane, after being in the online education space. He believes that teaching is a calling, and strives to make a difference in the children’s lives.
Julius
Julius teaches students from Grade 4 to high school. His subjects are social science and natural science in the lower grades, as well as accounting, business studies, and tourism, in the upper grades. He gives much of his spare time to study, read his Bible, and hear what God is saying. Julius is married with 6 children, 4 of them adopted.
Lebogang
Lebogang teaches Grade R learners, is married, and loves singing and going to church.
Michelle
Michelle began teaching at Takane at the beginning of 2023. She teaches Grades R and 00. Michelle loves children and teaching. She also enjoys reading.
Nungani
Nungani teaches Natural Science to children in a number of grades, as well as Life Orientation, and isiZulu. He has two boys and one girl. Nungani spends most of his time studying as he is busy with his Honours in Education Degree. He enjoys bringing warm communication to the school children.
Sandile
Sandile loves teaching, watching the children learn new things, and having fun with them. She has been at Takane since 2022, and teaches the Grade 2 class.
Ground Staff
Arthur
Geoff
Tawanda