Trading 20 years in the teaching profession for a position as chief researcher for the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Parliament two years ago, James Matoane took a bold decision he hasn’t regretted for a day.
A workaholic who maintains exemplary work ethics, Matoane initially had difficulty adjusting to the transitional issues that accompanied stepping out of the principal’s office he occupied at a primary school in Marble Hall and into the passages of Parliament. The latter he describes as life-changing experience he would always cherish.
The move back to Limpopo, where his roots and family are, was evidently Cape Town’s loss when Matoane returned home to take up the position of EFF researcher in the Limpopo Legislature last August. His work behind the scenes expects of him to, among others, develop content and make contributions to public addresses, Legislature debates and statements issued to the media. He is quick to declare his passion for his job by saying he can’t wait for the arrival of each new day. Matoane points out that working for the EFF allows him to be creative.
Back in Polokwane he resides a stone throw from his home base of Botlokwa, where he was born and raised by his single parent mom who was a domestic worker in Johannesburg. He attests to a true African upbringing of herding cattle as a youngster and attending school under very difficult circumstances. Upon completing schooling, he obtained a diploma through Sekgosese College of Education whereupon he started teaching in 1995. Later on he enrolled for a further diploma in English Language Teaching and a Bachelor of Education degree with the University of Witwatersrand (Wits), a Masters degree in Development Studies obtained through the University of Limpopo and a specialist Project Management Programme with the Durban University of Technology. He was also approached by the Embassy of the Unites States with the offer for a scholarship with the University of Oregon in America to enrol for an on-line course in critical thinking. After being selected as winner of the Primary School Leadership category of the annual National Teaching Awards in 2006, Matoane subsequently served as awards adjudicator for the Department of Basic Education for several years.
For thirteen of the 20 years in education Matoane served as school principal, the last posting at Elandskraal Primary School in the Marble Hall area. Sharing memories of his time in the hot seat, he refers to a period of two years assisting as seconded principal at the then ailing Majatladi Secondary School elsewhere in the circuit where he showed dedication in motivating the teaching component and learners alike and overseeing the construction of an administration building for the school.
As the father of three girls between the ages of nine and 17 years he spends as much time possible with his daughters and wife Rosina, a busy work schedule permitting. Other than that he enjoys a good thriller or action movie and, with a penchant for the English language, favours novels by the likes of Chinua Achebe and Bessie Head.
Story: YOLANDE NEL
>>observer.yolande@gmail.com
Photo: James Matoane.
