TEACHERS NOW TALK ABOUT INCREMENT EVEN IN FUNERALS - PM

PIGG’S PEAK – In the past, teachers were more dedicated to their work than they are today.

This was an observation made by Prime Minister Cleopas Dlamini during his speech at a teachers’ farewell function. He was speaking during a farewell event for three teachers; namely Bettina Mavuso, Phindile Phatho and Sarah Magagula, who retired at Bhalekane Nazarene Primary School, which is situated at Madlangempisi. He was accompanied by Cabinet ministers including Jabulani ‘Buy Cash’ Mabuza (Minister of Agriculture), Lady Mabuza (Minister of Education and Training), also present was Deputy Senate President Ndumiso Mdluli. The area’s Member of Parliament (MP) Sibusiso Nxumalo was also among the guests. Also present was Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) President Mbongwa Dlamini.

Commended

The PM commended the teachers for their long service. He said in the past, school was not as easy as it appeared today. He said during his days, teachers were very dedicated such that even when they did not have the tools to work with, this did not influence their commitment. “In our days, learning was not easy and you had to persevere to get through,” he said. Furthermore, he said there were no buses during his time and that pupils would walk a distance of over 10 kilometres a day. Much to the laughter of the guests, the PM said this was not the case with teachers nowadays. He said in the past, teachers did not toyi-toyi. He said unlike today, the teachers used every platform to speak about salaries even when it was not the right place.  He said they did this even during funerals.

Education

The PM also revealed that he was once a pupil at the primary school where he spent six years. He said Bhalekane was the only place of education where he had ever spent the longest time. He said even at institutions of higher learning, there was no place where he had spent more than six years. The PM praised the school, saying that it was positioned at the centre of the road linking other regions. He said many people who had eventually become successful had attended the school. He said he learnt during a time when there were only a few blocks such that different grades were put in one class facing different directions. The premier also said during this time, it was easy to see what they were learning in other grades.

Meanwhile, the PM also revealed that in the past, the school was a multi-racial one and that there were also foreigners there learning together with emaSwati. The premier also revealed that the school was built in 1930. “This in a way opened our minds in our approach to life,” he said. Upon arrival at the school, The PM and his entourage was taken on a tour by the Head teacher, Nhlanhla Shongwe.

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