Dundee says farewell to Brits Maree – an educator who made teaching his passion

After almost 40 years in education – the last 23 as principal of Dundee Junior School – Brits Maree is more qualified than most when it comes to ‘teaching at the coalface’.

He says his motto is ‘if you don’t have a passion for children, the classroom is not for you.’

Born in the small Northern Cape town of Douglas, Brits’s father was an educator his career saw the family move around the country as the older Maree mapped out an impressive career. There were moves to the old Transkei, Spioenkop dam, Hlobane, Empangeni and finally Durban where Brits matriculated from Dirkie Uys High School.

With farming being in the Maree blood, Brits was not entirely sure what career he wanted to follow. He finally opted for the police and served for three years before enrolling into the teachers college of education (Dokkies) in Durban.

He had a passion for physical education, geography, religious studies and Afrikaans and rose rapidly through the ranks of the Student Representative Council.

After four years of studying, Brits took up a post at Voortrekker High in Pietermaritzburg for two years where he was involved in sport and gymnastics with three of his learners qualifying for SA colours.

Next, there was a spell at George Campbell in Durban and later Saamwerk Primary which ironically was one of his father’s old posts.

When that school closed down, Brits moved over to Gelofte in Pinetown. His wife, Ansophie, was already teaching at Gelofte High.

“I was at Gelofte for 12 years and was very involved in rugby referring at club level and was thrilled to encounter the late Sharks coach, Ian MacIntosh,” Brits said. He was also involved in the Voortrekker movement and was promoted to Departmental head.

When the post opened up at Dundee Junior School, he was keen to take on the challenge of living and working in a small town.

“I was given such a warm welcome here as was my wife when she joined me six months later to take up a post at Sarel Cilliers High.”

After staying in town for six months, the Marees moved to a small holding on the Dundee/Hattingspruit road. “My love for the farming life is very powerful so we are quite happy to tend to cattle etc and enjoy the farm life,” he said.

Having an elder brother with Down’s Syndrome, Brits was keen to move to Pro Nobis Special School but circumstances kept him at Dundee Junior where he has touched the lives of many learners – especially those who are academically strong.

“I believe in rewarding 5% improvements regardless if a child goes from 70% to 75% or 30% to 35%. It is all about recognizing and encouraging effort.”

Brits believes that besides sport and academics, schools must also instill values with respect high up on his personal list.

“Respect must be given regardless. At DJS we issue children with smiley face badges to those who have made a difference by perhaps handing in a lost purse and going out of their way to help a fellow learner.” Brits says while the school syllabus dictates the content of a subject, he is a strong believer in letting teachers follow their own methods in the classroom.

With four Comrades Marathons under his belt, Brits also believes that ‘if you start something, make sure you finish it’.

He is also a member of the SA Hunters Committee and is also a member of the Dundee Rotary Club and is a keen deep-sea fisherman.

He has a son in the USA and a daughter also teaching at Sarel Cilliers High. Asked what he plans to do upon his retirement, Brits said he is looking forward to the farming life and getting into woodwork.

“I will miss the kids of Dundee Junior and of course my staff. We have a wonderful atmosphere here at DJS where my open door policy is one where we always put the learners first.”

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