Breakfast with Advocate Thuli Madonsela
Teachers from Estcourt Secondary School were given the honour of meeting with Advocate Madonsela
“Not what you say… BUT what you do. Actions speak louder than words.”
These were the words of the Public Protector, Advocate Thuli Madonsela, the Keynote Speaker at a Naptosa breakfast briefing in Durban at the Coastlands Ridge Hotel on September 12.
“In this world we need the philosophers and the pragmatists. The product of morality is ethical conduct.
We cannot escape the relative nature of morality. The constitution should be used as a North Star, guiding our direction.
God needs to be in our moral discussions. God is the centre of our being. Ubuntu is the essence of human dignity, the core of a human being.
What is the state of our moral compass?”
These are some of the sentiments expressed in her address.
Advocate Madonsela said that teachers are positional leaders and a teacher’s role is to free the potential of children, to teach, motivated and inspire.
“Teacher’s rights are violated when as they are not given the recognition and honour they deserve.
This neglect of teachers affects someone’s hope … their morale is destroyed.
“Doing the right thing is important. .. BUT also ensuring that your colleagues are doing the right thing.
Whisper truth to your colleagues. You are because I am.” Ms Madonsela was questioned about the corruption within education and namely, the sale of posts.
This, she indicated, was at the forefront and applauded Naptosa’s suggestions of an Ombudsman and the request for a hotline to aid this on-going investigation.
Teachers from Estcourt Secondary School were given the honour of meeting with Advocate Madonsela at the media briefing after the breakfast and were able to enjoy some one-on-one face time with this woman of substance.
