AFTER 43 years in the education sphere, Highway resident, beloved teacher and talented artist, Charles Janse van Rensburg, has retired.
He started his teaching career at Ella Du Plessis High School in Komasdal, a few kilometres outside of Windhoek. He was part of a group of qualified teachers posted there who taught in military uniform.
Going into the military for what he thought was one year was changed mid-way and he soon became one of many to have his service extended by another full year. This meant a long-distance relationship with his soon-to-be wife, Pam, who he met at Edgewood Teachers Training College.
After many letters and a trip to Namibia, they married in 1978 and he took up his first post in South Africa at New Germany Primary School, where he taught in the classroom and did a bit of art. He then took up a post at Westville Senior Primary School where he primarily taught art and did a bit of class teaching.
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He then taught for a short period at Sarnia Primary School. In 1998, and for the next 20 years, he taught art at Kloof High School. His final posting was at Maris Stella School in Morningside where he spent 11 years.
“The 43 years were not easy. Teaching is a very important job, but it has never been given the financial recognition that it deserves in this country,” he said.
The couple have three wonderful children and they conjured up some creative ways to make the extra money to see their children through school and university. He has taught extra lessons, been a floor manager in a casino and worked in a pasta factory in order to make extra money.
He has seen hundreds of children pass through his hands and described some of them as truly phenomenal characters.
“I have worked with some wonderful teachers. No day in teaching is ever the same. It is filled with challenges and offers great reward. The time has come to seek other avenues and be given time to reflect on the past 43 years, to have time to pursue my creative talent and watch my seven grandchildren grow up,” he said.
Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting
