MRS Khune was a woman whose actions spoke louder than words. She was kind and gentle but she had a presence that couldn’t be ignored.
When she decided to be a teacher, her relatives were not certain she’d made the right choice. But Mrs Khune knew it was her calling. Teaching was not child’s play – it required self-control, patience, love and dedication.
“Good morning, class,” Mr Biko called the room to order. “I’d like to introduce Mrs Khune, your new class teacher. Please don’t give her a hard time – we don’t want her to quit before she’s even started.”
The principal left Mrs Khune and headed back to his office. He was anxious about how she’d handle such a difficult class. Many teachers had given up on the learners of Grade 10A because of their disobedience and high failure rate.
“Good morning, as Mr Biko said, I’m your new class teacher.”
“Do you know why the last teacher left?” one of the students called out and the rest of the class erupted in laughter.
“No, no one informed me. Perhaps you’d care to enlighten me?”
Her question was met with silence. “Well, if you don’t want to tell me, let’s not waste any more time and begin by marking the register.”
The teacher’s confidence started to sink into the learners, even those who used to be the rulers of the classroom.
Phumla was the most feared in class. He had a beautiful, deep, rich baritone voice he used very effectively to scare his classmates and teachers. But Mrs Khune was completely unfazed.
Denne historien er fra 23 April 2020-utgaven av Drum English.
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Denne historien er fra 23 April 2020-utgaven av Drum English.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Homegrown Heroes
Drum speaks to two volunteers in the Covid-19 vaccine trial and the professor heading the team in Africa
The Big Clean Up
Whenever a Covid-19 case is confirmed at a shop, they call in the deep-cleaners. We find out exactly how they disinfect stores and supermarkets
I'm Back & Better!
Babes Wodumo shares what she’s been up to in lockdown – and there’s some new music on the horizon
Not An Easy Ride
Taxi commuters and industry players tell DRUM what’s driving them to defy lockdown rules
Mam' Mary Bows Out
Iconic actress Mary Twala is fondly remembered by friends and family for her humour and talent
‘They Lived For Each Other'
This Cape Town teen’s parents died from Covid-19 on the same day. Now she’s alone and battling the virus too
Stranger Than Fiction
For actor Mangaliso Ngema and his daughter Khosi Ngema, her role in Blood & Water was like watching their family’s real-life story unfold
I Was Raped By A Pastor
His accusations against a well-known man of the cloth turned an Eastern Cape man’s life into turmoil but now more victims have spoken out
My Fight With Life And Death
More Covid-19 patients, too few beds and staff, constant sanitising and personal fears – a Western Cape doctor shares her experience
I AM ENOUGH
Ten years after being set alight, Thembi Maphanga is living life to the fullest