Outgoing teachers' efforts celebrated

RETIRING principals, teachers, departmental officials and support staff in the Uitenhage district – whose collective service amounts to more than 5000 years – were yesterday urged to treat their retirement as a blank canvas on which to start afresh after dedicating so many years to shaping pupils' lives.

More than 170 Uitenhage Education Department retirees were honoured at a glitzy function at the Allanridge Community Hall, in Uitenhage's Langa township, by district director Nozizwe Bashman.

The staff being celebrated included 20 teachers who had died this year and those still alive who had served nearly 45 years in the department.

Bashman said the event, held annually since 2003, had become a highlight on the district's calendar as it was "the least we could do to say thanks to these heroes and heroines".

"We felt that with all the ups and downs [of] work, we should honour all retiring staff," she said. "It is not much, just a small token of our appreciation. This is something a lot of people look forward to as they are made to feel special.

"We are also honouring those with sizeable experience in the department who have resigned, including those who resigned amid fears about the Government Employees Pension Fund."

Bashman was referring to the resignation of hundreds of public servants earlier this year who feared losing out on their pensions amid rumours that the GEPF was to be nationalised.

While the teachers were looking forward to enjoying their duty-free Mondays, she said, they should be on standby as she would call on their expertise at times.

"Wherever you are, I will find you on Facebook or follow you through Twitter or connect via Whatsapp. Whatever it takes, when I need you I will find you," she said, to laughter.

"There are some I would like to give back their retirement or resignation letters [and keep them in the system]. Others I feel, hayi, they can go to retirement."

The event theme was "pension life is a blank canvas".

The retirees were urged not to leave it blank but to record a new journey.

Keynote speaker psychologist Cecil Woods urged the retirees to find new purpose to their lives with something to look forward to each day.

"I'm embarrassed to say I come from a culture where the elderly are discarded and done away with to make room for younger people; where they are made to feel redundant.

"I want you to know you are not redundant, but very valuable," he said.

"Retirement is not a destination, but the beginning of a journey, so find new purpose.

"My doctor told me how some people retire and do nothing – and within a year they die."

Good wishes from the department, teacher unions, schools and colleagues were read out, before each person was awarded a plaque bearing their name and years of service.

Retiree Hamida Lilla said she was looking forward to "start painting on my canvas".

"I'm not really sure what I will be doing, but I will definitely enjoy the sleeping in," she said.

"My retirement is pretty much planned out, as my grandchildren feel they have found a new chauffeur in me."

Lulamile Ngamlana, who taught at Masibambane High School and has been working at the district office, said he still planned to contribute to community development. - Zandile Mbabela