Gqubule is Herald's Citizen of the Year

HIS passion and dedication to ensuring that Nelson Mandela Bay's youngsters prosper has earned an octogenarian the title of The Herald GM Citizen of the Year.

The Rev Dr Simon Gqubule, 86, was crowned the overall winner at a glitzy function at the Athenaeum in Central on Friday.

Gqubule was lauded for his selfless contribution to the betterment of his community.

The four other finalists were Dr Chris van der Walt, Linda-Louise Swain, David Phillips and Bisi Fadeyi-Adetuberu.

In a moving acceptance speech, the smiling former English and theology teacher reiterated his commitment to seeing children prosper.

He thanked everyone who had a hand in his win and, to applause, told how education had always been close to his heart.

"When I was chaplain at a mission school in KwaZulu-Natal, I dated a girl who taught at another school.

"We used to sit and plan the education of our unborn children, which was an attempt to cushion them against the onslaught of Bantu education," he said.

"We did get married and for five years the children didn't come, but when they came they came one on top of the other.

"One of the decisions we had made was that before they even started school, we'd read them stories long before they could even read. Today, they all have masters' degrees.

"If my own children could go that far, why should I not spend the rest of my days ensuring the children of others go even further?" he said.

Gqubule, who lives in Uitenhage, has spent most of his retirement years in the classroom helping pupils in grades 10 to 12.

The Herald and Weekend Post editor Heather Robertson said Gqubule was an inspiration to all.

"It takes a few good men and women who choose to serve others, as opposed to themselves, to make a difference to the world we live in. The Rev Dr Simon Gqubule is one such person."

Robertson said that from next year, the competition would be expanded to include a Youth Citizen of the Year Award.

"With the generous support of our sponsors General Motors, we have decided to extend our net to celebrate and expose young people between the ages of 15 and 23 whom we know are doing amazing work," she said. - Zandile Mbabela