Moulding generations of children
Empangeni's oldest living teacher shares her journey.
PHOTO: DUSCHANKA HITZEROTH
JUST short of her 92nd birthday, Nettie Brook is one of the oldest living teachers in Empangeni.
A gentle spirit, kind heart and fondly known as Mrs Brook, she has been living in Empangeni since 1947.
‘I always knew I wanted to be a teacher and I come from a family, where half the members on my father’s side are teachers. At six-years-old, my heart was set on teaching,’ she said.
Born, raised and educated in Johannesburg, Mrs Brook met the love of her life and, after their honeymoon, sailed off into the sunset which lead them to Empangeni.
‘My husband had bought a farm in Empangeni a year before our wedding so I was destined to move to Zululand, which became my home, and I would not have had it any other way.
‘I remember my interview at Empangeni Preparatory; I was employed to teach Afrikaans combined classes of standard one and two.
‘In that class, my most outstanding pupil was Jan van Koller, I met him years later and he had become the Principal of eShowe High School.’
Not long after, Mrs Book had been expecting her first child and subsequently left the teaching field to concentrate on family and farming.
‘A few years later, I was recalled to teach standard 4 English, where one of my pupils went on to become a University Professor,’ she said.
Having changed lives in her teaching career, Mrs Brook believes that with concern, discipline and love, problems may be solved.
‘Children come to school with burdened hearts and minds causing emotional bad behaviour and teachers need to respond to this with gentle love and care,’ she said.
Five children, 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren later, Mrs Brook has been blessed to hold every one of them in her arms, yet still finds time to explore her artistic streak.
‘I love painting, when I lived in eShowe, I went for art lessons and started with oil painting. Although water colours, which I have tried, are lovely, I find acrylic colours easier to work with.
‘Also, I have to admit that I adore chocolate! It is my delight,’ she chuckled.
