How a child on the playground schooled me on his first day
Kevin van der List, editor of the Benoni City Times, writes:
A child took an opportunity on his first day of school to school me.
With my camera and notebook in hand, I visited several Benoni classrooms this morning (January 17) to report on the first day of the academic year for the City Times.
After having taken a few shots, I made my way past the jungle gyms at Laerskool Rynfield to a classroom on the opposite side of the premises.
En route there, I almost stood on a spotted thick-knee bird.
“Oom, wat sal hy doen as hy seer gemaak word?” (Uncle, what will he do if you hurt him?) a child on the playground asked me.
“Hy sal jou byt,” (He will bite you) I replied confidently.
“Hy sal jou pik,” (He will peck you) the boy corrected me.
What a beautiful moment that was.
Afrikaans is not my first language, but I was humoured to hear a young lad have an unfiltered chirp at his preference in diction.
There is something so rewarding about local journalism.
I could not imagine a national newsroom environment where ‘mechanical’ reporting could potentially drain the life out of you.
I was again – I think I said this last year – thrilled to photograph the little ones and their emotional parents.
Although I completed my schooling career yonks ago (not really), I enjoy learning from and experiencing my community first-hand.
I trust the BCT did a sterling job covering the start of the academic year.
To all the Grade Ones of 2018, spread your wings and achieve the heights of your potential.
Also read:
WATCH: Kisses, joy and best wishes: Did we capture your children on their first day of school?
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