WHEN Joyce Dlamini started working as a carer and cleaner at the home of principal of Berea Primary School she had no idea that her journey would lead her becoming a fully qualified teacher at the school.
Joyce was recognised for her achievements at the school’s 98th birthday on 2 August. Speaking to Berea Mail about her journey, Joyce said it started when a woman, Elizabeth, introduced her to the then principal, Miss St George, who was looking for a carer for her elderly mum. Joyce took on the job as carer and domestic in Miss St George’s home.
“When Granny died, I continued to work at the house as a domestic worker. In 2009 I started working as a cleaner at Berea Primary Schoo, and used to help a bit in the library. One day in 2010, Miss St George asked me to help in the Grade 1 class, as I was a Zulu speaker,” she said. Little did she know that her journey to becoming a teacher had just started.
Joyce said in 2013, she approached the school governing body members to ask for a loan to further her studies. She said the chairman, Leon Lombard, was very encouraging.
“Mr Lombard was very supportive and the SGB loaned me the money. I started studying via correspondence through the North West University, focusing on foundation phase,” she said.
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Joyce completed her diploma with distinction and graduated in 2018 as a teacher.
“When you are studying part time, your work can suffer, but Joyce performed at her optimum in the classroom and in her admin work. We motivated and pushed her as the SGB to keep up her studies, and today, from her humble beginnings as a helper in the former principal’s home, to a cleaner at the school, she is now a state paid educator. We are ecstatic with her qualifications!” said Leon.
He said the school governing body motivated for her to be appointed into a post at the school and she received her letter of appointment on 11 July.
“I am so happy! It was tough as sometimes we had no water or electricity at my home, but I managed, I coped. It is a passion for me and it is an amazing feeling having these qualifications, I am so grateful. I thank God for my job, and I thank my family for the support, my caring husband, the principal, the SGB, who even now are supporting me, Dr Soni, former HOD at the school who also played a big role, the Berea Primary family and Miss St George. It is an amazing school, full of love,” she said.
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