Despite her decades of service in education, teaching hundreds of pupils and even some of the parents of the current cohort, Nolene Bezuidenhout will still lend her expertise to developing eager young minds after retirement.
The 60-year-old retired from Soutpan Primary School in Arcadia after 32 years in the profession but has decided to continue to contribute by providing additional mathematics classes for the school’s grade 7 pupils.
Bezuidenhout, who retired in June, said it was a privilege to be afforded the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on children’s lives.
“When I was at school, my dream was to become a social worker, I wanted to help people in need.
“But as it turned out in the end, I became a teacher. I don’t regret it for a single day,” she said.
“Mathematics was my main subject and when I see the light in a child’s face when I present the subject, I know I got through to them and they understood.
“That gave me a lot of satisfaction.”
She said Soutpan Primary was her second home and she took pride in being able to be a part of its development.
“I graduated from Dower College in 1992 and started at Soutpan in 1993. During 1992, I also did my practicals at Soutpan.
“It was a real privilege to be a teacher, I enjoyed every moment of it.
“When I started at Soutpan, I began a mini cricket team.
“One of my highlights of the cricket was when I went to Sun City in 2019 for the mini cricket conference. It was great to see the players excel through the years.”
Bezuidenhout also assisted in various roles at the school but also focused on development of the local community.
“In 2015, I started the march and drill organisation at school and we participated in a lot of tournaments.
“I was also the secretary of Bethelsdorp athletics and am part of the girls brigade at church as captain,” she said.
“At the Audrey Renecke branch of the Congregational Church, I am also the secretary of the Children’s Ministry.
“I initiated a lot of the things at school. Being inquisitive was second nature to me. Whether it was a prefect camp or anything new, I was always at the forefront.”
She said the profession provided many heartwarming memories that she would continue to cherish.
“One thing that warmed my heart was when one of my former learners joined us at the school as a teacher,” Bezuidenhout said.
“Many of the learners made it big in life through their studies.
“However, we love each and every one, whether they become something or not.
“Being a grade 7 teacher, there were always tears at the end of the year when they left the school as the valedictory service is always emotional.
“I will cherish the privilege I had to work with other people’s children. I taught the current learners’ parents as well and it was a cycle that repeated itself through the years.
“My heartfelt thanks are to the Lord Jesus Christ.”
The Herald
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