December 2023 saw the teaching careers of three SP teachers come to an end. On 6 December, tributes were paid at a farewell lunch to Deputy Principal and English teacher Mr Barry Saunders; Afrikaans, History and Agricultural Sciences teacher Mrs Lizette Davids; and Xhosa teacher Mrs Thozama ‘Mama’ Yawa, who retired after 43, 15 and 9 years respectively at the school.
In his speech, Mr Saunders highlighted some of the many changes which had taken place in South Africa since he started teaching in 1980 – a turbulent year with months long school boycotts. These changes included the declaration in 1990 of the unbanning of liberation organisations and the first democratic elections, among many others. He also mentioned the various changes in the education system, as well as school specific changes, such as the ‘disappearance’ of some of the essential tools of the trade, like the typewriter and pink correcting fluid.
Mrs Davids spoke of SP as an institution that will stay with her forever, and thanked her SP family for their support around the recent passing of her husband. She urged the staff and pupils to continue flying the SP flag high.
Mama Yawa, who was joined by her daughter in a rendition of the ‘Click Song’, said that the school and everyone at the school would always stay in her sweet memories because of the love, respect and ubuntu shown by everyone. She exhorted the staff to continue to shine.
