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CELEBRATING OUR EDUCATORS: Meet MRS GOUWS and take a look inside the lives of Mrs Rossouw, Mr Sayer, Ms Wickens, Mr and Mrs Steenkamp, Mrs Strauss and Mrs van Staden.
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ON THE COVER
30_MEET MRS GOUWS… the woman behind our principal.
38_MRS. ROSSOUW. In perfect Engligh…
42_DIE STEENKAMPS. Regte onderwysers.
46_MR SAYER. An intriguing history.
50_MRS VAN STADEN. Unexpected tomboy.
54_MRS STRAUSS and her alter ego.
58_MS WICKENS: PV‟s beloved rock.
FEATURES
14_ABOUT UBUNTU. Success and a learning curve.
FASHION
16_WHAT YOU WANT in terms of clothes. Look no further.
18_GET IN LINE. Unique pieces to highlight your pre-spring wardrobe.
ENTERTAINMENT
09_THE ULTIMATE REVIEW. Things to do, and people to watch out for.
REGULARS
05_MASTHEAD. Who did what…
06_LETTER FROM THE EDITOR. Praise song.
07_DEPUTY‟S LETTER.
ON THE COVER
Mrs Gouws photographed by Kim Swarts. Makeup
by Sarah Howard-Browne. Read the full story on
page 30.
DANIËL GELDENHUYS
Editor In Chief
Creative Director
Fashion Director
CHANTÉ CHARLES
Deputy Editor
Features Director
features editors
LANA DE BEER
NATASHA BICKNELL
entertainment editor
ZANDILE NDAYI
ALFREDA SIMAKANI
photographers
CORNEL STEYN
KIM SWARTS
head proofreader
M G STEENKAMP
Parel Vallei High School 95 Parel Vallei road,
Somerset – West
7130
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
POWERING FORWARD
This issue, like all our others, is a celebratory
one. It seems that Parel Vallei is almost
always celebrating something – that‟s why it
was such a shock to be plunged into a state
of mourning at the end of the second term
when we lost the infectious bundle of joy that
was Courtney Moore.
I don‟t want to leave any unnecessary
comment on the subject, but I will say that I
feel honoured to have had the chance to
work with her this year on the learner council.
I‟m glad she was the kind of person that,
after her passing, it was not difficult to think of
nice things to say about her. We will not only
remember the good times, we will remember
everything about her, because it was all
good.
While acceptance of her passing will
come in a different form to everyone, I think it
is important for everyone to find a way to
keep her alive in their hearts. I have decided
to dedicate all my creative ventures for the
rest of this year to Courtney. That way,
whenever I do something I love, I‟ll think of
her and smile.
This message of this issue, honouring
our educators, is one that lies extremely close
to my heart. The teachers featured in this
issue and the ones who aren‟t, are the
people who shape communities by
influencing and raising upright citizens like
you, me and Courtney. The work they do on
a daily basis must never be underestimated
or taken for granted.
So remember to appreciate all the
great things in life. Take all the joy and sorrow
of the past and put it into creating a bolder,
brighter future. If you think the sky is the limit,
you‟re not dreaming big enough.
xoxoD^^
DEPUTY‟S LETTER
A NEW
ADVENTURE By the time you read this, I and the rest of the matriculants will be
about to dive head first into our exams. The rest of you are
fortunate enough to not have to partake in it. I must admit
something though: I am really looking forward to it. Now you may sit
at your computer and wonder exactly how I lost such a vast
amount of brain cells to come to this conclusion…
The beginning of these exams also signifies the end of a
seemingly endless time in my life. I will confess, I was afraid at the
start of this year. I realized that none of us would ever have it quite
this easy again. There will be no teacher to run to for extra lessons
and no safety in knowing that your group of friends will be waiting
for you. When you start to think about it like that, much of the
excitement of a new beginning is lost.
If this has happened to you, allow me to remind you of the
lighter aspects of this topic.
Next year you will be introduced into a completely new
environment. This is daunting, but it also means something else:
freedom. No one will know who you are and this means that you
will be able to be whoever you have always wanted to be.
Concerning friendship: no one ever said that you have to lose him
or her. You simply have to work harder to keep them.
For those of you who are not in your final year, I have to ask
you one thing. As frightening as it may seem, make every second
count. One always considers oneself safe. The truth is, time waits for
no man (as my father always says about me forever running late).
You may feel as though what you have now leaves you satisfied. I
am glad that you have reached that point, but is that really true?
In my experience, things are not always as they seem.
Anyone who knows me can tell you that I value friendship to the
extreme. I was satisfied and I did not need any more. When I
became a part of the musical, that all changed and for the better.
Now I have a full heart and an even fuller contact list.
Life is too precious to allow any moment of it to go to waste.
Sometimes incidents occur that you never thought was possible.
There is no way to prepare for them. If we were able to predict
them, then there would be no fun in living (not that it is not
tempting). If there is anything that you thought that you could
never do because you were never good, smart or strong enough,
then think again. No one in the world is more deserving of the great
things in life then you are. If any one else tells you differently, then
they were most likely in your position and made the wrong choice.
You are always far closer to success than you ever are to
failure if you simply keep on trying. That is my little caffeine inspired
wisdom for this issue. Fear is the enemy to dreams. Rather live your
life with no regrets, than with no (legal) risks. Ciao for now.
Chanté
Endless local
stage
opportunities,
a child star,
and B is
back.
Ever wanted to
be a star? Now
is the time… says
Daniёl Geldenhuys.
T H E A T R E If there was ever a time to explore your inner
performer, that time would be now. The
amateur theatre community in Somerset
West is experiencing a huge boom – and
anyone is welcome.
The winner of the grade 8 Most Likely
To Be Famous PV Award, Liam Walsh, is living
up to the hype by becoming nothing short of
a local celebrity. This year he‟s already
starred in Romeo and Juliet and played the
title role in Jack and the Beanstalk. He will
also be taking the stage in September as the
lead in The Emperor’s Groove, a spoof on the
original Disney classic, The Emperor’s New
Groove.
It‟s not that hard to get involved. The
two theatre hot spots are the Laurensford
Wine Estate where director Darrel Skijkers is
cranking out the productions. By the time
you‟re reading this, you‟ll have missed the
auditions for The Moulin Rouge, which will
premiere in February of 2012.
Then there is the upcoming production
After Ever After, an original script starring
much loved characters like Puss In Boots but
Pilar Pringles and CJ Opperman.
Looking for something a little less family
orientated? Head over to the playhouse for
Driving Ms Daisy.
Kelly‟s Amateur Drama School is open
to anyone from grade one to grade twelve.
So far they have delivered two high quality
productions in ‟07, ‟09 and are now gearing
up for the previously mentioned The
Emperor’s Groove which promises to
entertain all ages.
There is no shortage of acting
opportunities in our area right now but that‟s
not the only way you can get involved. These
productions are always looking for technical
fanatics, costume designers, makeup artists,
writers, and stage hands.
So if the above gives you a little flutter
in your heart, don‟t ignore it. The iron is red
hot, strike now!
Like “Carnivals of the Heart” on facebook.
Above: Liam Walsh
in Jack and the
Beanstalk (2011)
Below: The cast
and crew of The
Little Mermaid
(2010); a scene
from Robin Hood
(2009).
M U S I C
BEYONCÉ
4
Review by Alfreda
Simakani
R144.86 @ Kalahari.net
You were probably wondering why
Beyonce Knowles‟s latest CD is
called „4‟…
The reason she chose the
number was because it is a special
date in her life and the lives of her
loved ones. Her wedding anniversary,
family friends‟ birthdays are all on the
4th.
Fans have stated that her latest
release has shown signs of maturity in
her music. She has shed her Sasha
Fierce alter ego (which is now so two
years ago) and once again, began
to take bold experimental steps.
Not everyone liked the first
single on the album: “Run The World
(Girls)” but after listening to it again
and watching the music video, it‟s
hard to get it out of your head.
The sound of the album is
different to that of her earlier work.
She has begun to draw on a larger
range of sources for inspiration and
taken more chances. And anyone
who knows will tell you, that is the
mark of a great artist.
ABOVE: Beyoncé in Italian VOGUE.
RIGHT: her album: 4.
THE
OTHER
FANNING By Daniёl Geldenhuys
Elle Fanning seems to be
following in the footsteps of her
older sister Dakota, but is no
longer living in her shadow.
Having played the younger
version of her sister‟s character
in a film and mini series, Elle has
moved on to starring in noted
films such as Babel, The Curious
Case of Benjamin Button, and
television shows CSI and House.
Right now, she can be
classified as one of a rare breed
of child stars who don‟t get
millions of views on YouTube but
do produce high quality work.
The fashion world has
fallen in love with her, too. She
has starred in a fashion editorial
for US VOGUE and the photo on
the left is of her new ad
campaign with Marc by Marc
Jacobs.
Still, there is a good
chance you haven‟t
experienced her work. You will
now: she stars in Steven
Spielberg and and J. J. Abrams‟s
Super 8, a „mystery/sci-
fi/thriller/action/adventure‟ now
showing at NuMetro cinemas.
With that and two other
film scheduled to release this
year, one a horror and the other
a comedy, it is clear she‟s going
in a different direction than her
sister went… and she‟s clearly
versatile.
She‟s one to watch…
and you‟ll probably enjoy doing
so.
C E L E B R I T Y
ABOUT UBUNTU… After entering a teen film festival and walking away
with two trophies, making PV the most successful
school of the festival, ZANDILE NDAYI says she
learned something valuable…
Zandile Ndayi
(RIGHT) with the
cast and crew of
Metamorphosis. Photograph by Daniёl
Geldenhuys
“Umntu ngumuntu ngabantu” says the African saying but what
does this really mean?
Ubuntu is that love and care for others or does it have a more
significant meaning?
It is what builds strong and prosperous relationships and gives
life a deeper more meaningful purpose .Umntu ngumntu ngabantu,
you are person among other people.
Life today has consumed us in it and some of us have lost or
forgotten the importance of this saying...
The Ubuntu film festival gives the youth the platform to show
case their views on Ubuntu and revive the spirit of Ubuntu in the
form of acting within groups, script writing, making of music videos
and other activities.
A group of PV students took part in the film festival this year
for the second time. I was also given an opportunity to be part of
this initiative. Our team consisted of me, Megan Harvett, Lauren
James, Chanté Charles, Megan Higgo, Brett Rayner, Ulrich Fritz,
Ushaan Potgieter… to name a few.
The team chose the film Metamorphosis which was a
concept based on ideas that were brainstormed by the cast.
Chanté Charles, who wrote the script, and Lauren James, our
director, said they based their ideas on the well-known film Charlie
and the Chocolate Factory. Metamorphosis is a change, or in this
case, a change of heart - a change in the way we treat people. It
shows how people should accept one another regardless of race,
gender, cultural background or disability. The film follows the lives of
different characters, each with their own issues, and shows how a
game show teaches them the values of life.
A lot of time was spent on this project with the technical
difficulties, learning scripts and all the hard work that comes with
making a movie, but in the end it was all worth it. Although we had
a lot to deal with, we worked together to achieve the common
goal of success. I can still remember that when we struggled to find
a place to film, Ushaan and Megan offered their homes to us. Parel
Vallei helped a great deal in the creation of our dream: if they had
not given us equipment such as lights and mics, I don‟t know if we
would have been able produce the final product.
With the use of green screens and fancy equipment that I
never realised were in the movie process, we succeeded in
capturing the hearts of all.
On the 3rd of June 2011 The Metamorphosis team was invited
to Oude Libertas to the 2nd annual Ubuntu Teen Film Festival award
ceremony. We were invited to show others and to be shown by
fellow competitors how they executed the same idea in a variety of
ways.
Parel Vallei received an award for understanding of the
Ubuntu concept, and an award for the amazing script. We were
the only school to walk away with two awards, the pride factor was
very strong that night.
The film is a good example of the talent here at the school. It
opens the minds of those in the dark and creates an image of hope
and better change to the near future. I really enjoyed this
experience. It was amazing and, at the same time, overwhelming. I
got the opportunity to learn about people, the things that influence
us, different cultures, and how they influence me. I thank my team
and all who were involved.
WHAT
YOU
WANT (THEY‟VE GOT IT)
Dante de Koker and Kelly
Atmore are not designers. Not yet. For
now, they‟re doing something that will
benefit the Somerset West fashion
condition far more: sourcing. Whether
calling them Sourcerers is incredibly
lame or inexplicably cool remains
undecided. Basically, they find clothes
(where will remain their secret) that
they like, give them a few tweaks, and
sell them to you at a price that could
be considered free.
One. Night. Wonder. offers
consumers something that most stores
don‟t: clothes that people actually
want. “We saw a gap in the market for
the stuff that you see on blogs,” says
Danté. “You go onto a fashion blog
and you like, „Oh my gosh, that‟s so
cool‟ but you‟ll never find it anywhere.”
There is of course the option of
hitting the thrift stores, but it‟s a lot of
trouble and far too often you won‟t find
what you‟re looking for. “So we‟ll
source those really, really cool items of
clothing for the people.”
There can be no denying that
their clothing is just that: very, very cool.
Throw on a One. Night. Wonder. outfit
and a touch of attitude and you‟ll
stand out in the crowd, no problem.
The brand rides the fashion renaissance wave
with gusto. It‟s a lot of that „grandma‟s clothes‟ that
have gone from being ugly to being blatantly
fashionable. Danté and Kelly are ready to supply you
with a “consistent flow” of the good stuff.
Inspiration comes from (in the digital world) a
long list of blogs and (in the real world) a certain kind of
Cape Town crowd. The brand is not restricted to
seasons: Danté and Kelly will source elements from
seasonal trends that they like and think will fit into their
style which is, according to Danté, “very constant.”
The partnership seems to be an exceptionally
even one: they both source, they both style, they both
do PR. The two are best friends, so they know how to
function together.
The brand is slowly evolving: Kelly has begun to
create things from scratch, and they‟ll be creating some
great printed tees soon. For now, they‟re your go-to pair
for anything that‟s refreshingly different and (because
it‟s sourced) wonderfully unique.
one-night-wonder.tumblr.com
BY DANIЁL GELDENHUYS
Opposite: lace-
detail jacket, R40,
leather belt, R15,
high wasted shorts,
price on request,
all One. Night.
Wonder.
This page:
sleeveless tee, R30,
snakeskin belt, R15;
high waisted
trousers, R60, all
One. Night.
Wonder.
All stockings and
shoes worn
throughout,
models‟ own.
This page:
Sleeveless tee, R40;
belt, R15; high
wasted trousers,
R60, all One. Night.
Wonder; ring,
model‟s own.
Opposite: knit, R50,
leather belt, R15,
high waisted
shorts, R40, all One.
Night. Wonder.
This page: button
up blouse, R40,
double-collared
shirt (also worn
opposite), R40,
high waisted
denim shorts, R30,
all One. Night.
Wonder.
This page:
Sheer blouse, R30,
bra, model‟s own,
snakeskin belt, R15,
high waisted
trousers, R60; all
One. Night.
Wonder.
Opposite: top, R30,
knit waistcoat, R30,
distressed denim
shorts, price on
request; all One.
Night. Wonder; ring
and bra, model‟s
own.
Opposite: striped
top, R30, belt, R15,
high waisted
denim shorts, R40,
all One. Night.
Wonder.
This page: maxi
stripe jacket, R70,
One. Night.
Wonder.
From left: circular
sunglasses, stylist‟s
own; bra, model‟s
own; floral knit,
R40, high waisted
denim shorts, R40,
tight knit, R40, high
waisted trousers,
R70, all One. Night.
Wonder.
PRODUCTION
Daniёl
Geldenhuys.
MODELS (from left)
Peach Cronje and
Emilie Badenhorst.
HAIR AND MAKEUP
Leigh-Anne Maré.
RETOUCHING
Cornel Steyn
onenightwonder@
yahoo.com
079 501 5567
Meet
MRS
GOUWS The woman behind our principal chats
about a primary school, Charl Cilliers, her
expanding family, and being married to
Mr Gouws.
words DANIЁL GELDENHUYS
photographs KIM SWARTS
makeup SARAH HOWARD-BROWNE
As I was walking in circles around Ledbury, trying
to find a door, I realized that, for the first time in my life, I
was nervous about an interview. The idea of putting Mrs
Gouws on the cover came to me in an epiphany from an
intense session of singular brainstorming.
I knew the woman who married Mr Gouws had to
be something special and the thought intimidated me.
Lucky for my nerves, I was greeted by a gracious lady with
a welcoming smile – and snacks.
She apologizes for the state of her crockery (I find
it to be clean, pristine), says she‟s not good with photos
(this is one of the easiest covers we‟ve ever shot, see for
yourself), and warns me about her bad English. (She
made one mistake, which I think I told her was in fact
correct.) It‟s not that she‟s a pessimist – she‟s a
perfectionist. She likes things organized and sorted. Oh,
and she‟s a workaholic.
The reason we‟re not all a little bit more familiar
with Mrs Gouws is Ledbury. When she and Mr Gouws
came from the Eastern Cape to our neck of the woods
they lived in Betty‟s Bay and drove through to PV – and
De Hoop, where she teaches – every day. “I spent every
afternoon at the school. I had to sit and wait until five
o‟clock, seven o‟clock, nine o‟clock, sometimes twelve
o‟clock.”
Clearly those arrangements were unpractical, so
they made Ledbury, the little house on the school
grounds, their week-day home. Apparently, living on
school grounds is more of a convenience than a stress. If
Mr Gouws has an afternoon meeting, he can run home
first instead of having to wait in his office.
Mrs Gouws remembers the only time there was
ever a disturbance was a few years back during a certain
matric year‟s fourty days when a teacher, coming back
from a function with some students, discovered the havoc
the matrics had created and came knocking on the
Gouwses window around midnight. Otherwise, Ledbury
has been quiet and safe. The way she likes it.
Her passion is music. She comes from a family of
choir members, but she prefers playing the piano,
organ, or (nowadays) the keyboard.
She studied to become a Kindergarten
teacher, but as soon as she started looking for a job
she found out that music teachers were in high
demand, so she taught more music than anything
else.
Today she lives in the middle of the most
teenage-populated area of town, but she teaches
primary school and has no desires to change that.
She says her greatest joy in being a music
teacher is to see a child‟s progress over the years.
She starts with them in grade two and sees them
through to grade seven, helping them every step of
the way.
“We really work hard with the kids in the
junior school. I enjoy the little ones, I think they‟re
cute. I don‟t think the teenagers are so cute.” She is
kidding… kind of. But she really does seem to love
little children: her daughter is dating a man with a
six-year-old boy, who she bonded with easily. In fact,
she had to watch herself to make sure she didn‟t
spoil the child rotten.
It‟s their mental state that fascinates her. “I
love having this kid in the house, to chat to him, to
see how he thinks and reasons, etc.”
I ask her about the stars of the musical that
went to De Hoop… She didn‟t teach Charl music,
but she remembers him. What does she remember
about him from those days? “He was the
headmaster‟s son.” She holds her hand out at chair
height to indicate his height back then. “I remember
he was very good with a keyboard… very talented.”
She also remembers teaching Siphokazi Kalo
when she was in grade three and how all the other
girls tried to copy her exactly in the way they used
their mouths when they sang.
Mrs Gouws has always been a Gouws, that‟s how she
met her husband. They were studying together and
had to sit in alphabetical order. Soon enough, Mr
Gouws was sitting next to her all the time, especially in
music classes where she knew all the answers.
I build up the question I‟ve been waiting
patiently to ask: What‟s it like being married to Mr
Gouws?
“I thank the Lord every day for a loving, caring
and supportive husband like mine. He understands
me and puts up with me! When he is relaxed, he is
great fun. He loves telling jokes and stories. He is a
family man and wonderful father to our children. We
can all turn to him with our problems.” What an
answer!
They‟ve been married for thirty three years
and have two children: one a doctor and the other
studying to become a high school teacher. It seems apparent that being married to Mr
Gouws means being married to his job which,
naturally, takes a lot out of him. It‟s a good thing that
she‟s a teacher because she understands
completely.
Both of them “take their jobs too seriously.”
The only difference is that Mrs Gouws is as meticulous
in her personal life as at work, while Mr Gouws is far
more relaxed at home. He‟ll be the one to say,
“Leave the dishes for tomorrow,” and she‟ll be the
one who would rather just get them done now.
Their personalities even each other out nicely.
“It definitely works that people aren‟t always the
same.”
When they‟re in Betty‟s Bay, things are very
different – like a mini holiday. It‟s the exact opposite
of living on the school grounds, there you don‟t think
of school. “When he‟s here, he‟s focused on school.
On the breakaway to Betty‟s Bay, he breaks.” And so
does she.
Mrs Gouws is a very grounded and content person.
She is happy with enjoying the day-to-day routine of
life. She reads no fiction and watches realistic movies.
She doesn‟t seem to want or need any kind of drama
to make her life exciting. It‟s the little things that
provide the excitement.
Her son is getting married soon, and she‟s
excited to take on the role of grandmother. Mr
Gouws says he‟ll be the kind or grandpa who will
keep the kids busy with mountain and fishing
adventures. She, on the other hand, will read them a
story and sing them a song, maybe turn the family
into a little real-life musical.
The main item on her bucket list is travelling
with her husband – something she‟s never done
before. She‟d love to explore South Africa: the Kruger
National Park, the Drakensberg, Victoria Falls…
It‟s refreshing in this day and age to meet
someone who is so content and gracious. It seems like
Mrs Gouws‟s outlook on life is the key to being happy
and content, and that‟s a lesson to be taught to
learners of all ages.
“I enjoy the
little ones, I
think they’re
cute. I don’t
think the
teenagers
are so cute.”
celebrating
They’re our parents away from home. They inspire
us, motivate us, and help us succeed.
This month ULTIMATE’s features writers picked their
favourite teachers (a challenging task) and wrote
about why they’re so incredible. Then they
interviewed them to find out those interesting
things you never knew about them.
our educators
The entire ULTIMATE editorial team wishes to thank
not only the teachers featured in this issue, but
every member of staff that contributes to making
Parel Vallei the excellent school that it is.
Keep up the excellent work!
Photographed by KIM SWARTS
MRS ROSSOUW BY CHANTÉ CHARLES
For me perhaps the funniest would be
the frequent and frightening threats that Mrs.
Rossouw can deliver with the greatest of
ease. By now, it would be no surprise for her
to whip out a chainsaw from underneath her
table. (I have covertly checked and alas, I
found no weapon.)
More than that, she inspires me to do
better. Normally one feels pressure to do
one‟s best, but the adrenaline kept the need
to exceed alive. It also can have a negative
effect. I remember one time during an oral,
and as I looked at her, she looked at her
watch. Immediately I froze. Was my speech
too long? Was it boring? When I consulted a
friend about the incident, they promptly
smacked me upside the head.
These are some of the things that I will
miss the most about Mrs. Rossouw and that I
cherish. The quirky threats delivered in a
quiet tone (which is incredibly effective), the
passion that she carries for her work and
above all, the friend that I made through a
shared love for English.
By now, it
would be no
surprise for her
to whip out a
chainsaw from
underneath
her table.
Starting out my high school career, I knew
that there was one subject that I would
value above all: English. As an aspiring
author and poet, I wanted a teacher that
matched my enthusiasm for the subject.
Luckily I had an older sister that told
me all about her fantastic teacher.
Immense relief flooded me. Now imagine
my surprise when I arrived in grade 8, to
find that everyone thought to have
common sense, feared her. When I saw her
for the first time, all I truly noticed was her
hair color. Undaunted, I faced this
discovery head on… only to find that the
fear was wholly unnecessary
Through the years of being under
her teaching hand, I have been diagnosed
with a very serious and blatantly obvious
syndrome: Rossouwism, a philosophy
based on having an absolute love of all
that is English and Shakespeare (especially
this).
I cannot quite pinpoint when I
became as devoted to her as I have.
Perhaps it is over the love of books or that
she truly grasps the nature of the great
literary works. Over time, a dynamic
formed between us. All of my friends know
that she is my favorite. They also know not
to expect sympathy from me when they
are reprimanded. (If Mrs. Rossouw has
dealt it, then they must have deserved it.)
The funniest of incidents in class
pass so quickly that one has to be on
constant alert. There is never a shortage of
profound wisdom. On such pearl is, “Stay
away from any man skulking in the
shadows with the glint in his eye and a
knife in his hand.” There are also the
unexpected striking poses (which you have
to see to believe).
The following interview contains only the information
that you are dying to know. An opportunity such as
this could not be wasted.
The first question was one that many of my
friends are curious of. The first thing that one notices
about ma‟am is that her hair is a shocking white. It
matches her perfectly but one has to wonder, why not
opt to dye it? “The only time that I attempted to dye
my hair ended with a breakout of eczema all over my
head. I am allergic.” That would explain it.
Another image one entertains of her is that
Mrs. Rossouw would never suffer from any addictions.
(Now wait a second, I did not mean it like that.) Mrs.
Rossouw does not drink alcohol, because she cannot.
It normally ends with great feelings of nausea. Of
course, this was only found out after drinking. (I am
starting to notice a pattern of learning from terrible
experiences.)
Of course, if that were it, there would be no
fun. She became enslaved to one addiction. “Both
my parents were smokers as I grew up. Around my
second year of university, I had a boyfriend who
absolutely despised it. When we broke up, I started to
spite him. After three months I tried to quit, but could
not.” How long does it then take to break an
addiction such as this? “It took the next 20 years.” This
also means that when Mrs. Rossouw gives you a
talking to about smoking, you cannot say that she
does not understand.
One expects Mrs. Rossouw to have resisted the forces
of evil, moonlighting as a masked heroin. In reality, it is
not far off. This story took place in the time of
apartheid.
“During that time, my helper had to take time
off work due to a tragic loss. In her place, I temporarily
appointed her daughter, who spoke not a word of
English. I suspected that she did not possess a pass but
had no way of knowing. As life goes, the police came
knocking and I was summoned to court. I was advised
to write a letter to the court. In it, I explained the
situation and that I had no legal means of finding out
the truth. As a person of light complexion, one could
not venture into the townships. The day of court
appearance came and mine was the first name to be
called out. I was beyond terrified. The clerk then
informed me that my case had been withdrawn.”
…My teacher wrote her way out of jail-time. I am
speechless.
I suppose after hearing this story, you
would never have expected that she has three
tattoos. My first guess was that they were her
favorite Shakespeare works. Perhaps they were
three tomes. “They are three small dots. I had
to be lined up for radiotherapy.” (I need to do
some work on my investigative guessing). What
does the survivor have to say about her
cancer ordeal? “I was extremely lucky. It was a
tiny incident.” Mrs. Rossouw does seem the
type to be able to mentally will cancer cells
away. I definitely think that there is some
evidence here of extraordinary powers.
Perhaps one of the funniest, simplest
questions that I found to ask was this: why
English? “I love it and it is the thing that I do
best.” Now that I was on the train of this
subject, I continued. With such an impressive
general knowledge of books, could she
remember the first book that she had ever
read? “Big Book of Baby Forest Animals.” Once
again, I was speechless.
This interview had proven a few things
to me. The first is that Mrs. Rossouw will never
be afraid to go out on a limb for those who are
in need. The second is that she is one of the
strongest people I have ever had the honour
to meet. The last point, is a child‟s‟ fantasy. My
teacher is a super heroine. She may not have
the heat ray vision, but she has a great death
glare. She may not have x-ray vision but she
can see under your desk. She cannot read
your mind, but she knows what you are
thinking. The most important fact is that while
she does not have limbs of steel, she has a
heart of gold.
“The only time that
I attempted to
dye my hair
ended with a
breakout of
eczema all over
my head. I am
allergic.”
MNR. & MEV.
STEENKAMP DEUR DANIЁL GELDENHUYS
Die Steenkamps is so half perfek, nè? Nee.
Dit kan nie wees nie – niemand is perfek nie.
Juffrou /Mevrou Steenkamp is die rede dat ek
nog Afrikaans Huistaal neem. As ek by „n sekere ander
onderwyser kon wees, het ek Eerste Addisionele Taal
toe geskuif.
Veral in Matriek, wanneer alles mal gaan en dit
lyk asof tyd minder en minder word en jou teksboek
dikker en dikker, is dit die heel beste ding wanneer jy
by „n juffrou se klas kan instap en haar hoor sê: “Never
fear when the red-haired lady is near. Ek het alles
onder beheer.”
Ek kan nie mooi verduidelik wat presies so „n
sterk band tussen Juffrou en my klas geskep het nie,
maar ek weet sy is een van die mense in Parel Vallei
wat ek die meeste gaan mis. Om in haar klas te wees,
is soos om by die huis te wees: soms is dit lekker (lees!)
soms is dit nie so lekker nie (taal!), maar dit is altyd
bekend, veilig, vriendelik.
Sy doen moeite. Baie moeite. Elke keer as sy vir
ons „n werkvel gee wat sy opgestel het, kan „n mens
dadelik sien daar is baie tyd en energie in gesit.
Sy is passievol oor haar taal, maar nie op „n
irriterende manier nie. Dit maak dat jy wil leer – dat jy
hard wil werk. Sekere onderwysers sal nooit vir „n
leerder volpunte vir „n projek gee nie, maar Juffrou is
nie een van hulle nie. Dis nie te sê sy gee punte weg
nie. As sy kan sien jy het net soveel moeite in jou werk
gesit soos sy in hare, sal sy jou beloon.
Dis „n baie goeie ding dat ek en meneer
Steenkamp goed oor die weg kom. Ek het geen klasse
by hom nie, maar soms kry ek die gevoel (tussen my
verhoogproduksie, hierdie tydskrif, leerderraad en
Kultuurweek) dat ek meer van hom te sien kry as sy
studente.
Daar is tye wanneer ek elke dag, elke pouse,
in sy klas/kantoor is. “Wat het gebeur?” sal hy vra in „n
diep stem met „n effense glimlag. “Niks!” sal ek altyd
antwoord, en dan vir hom die slegte nuus gee.
Meneer Steenkamp het baie hooi op sy vurk. Darem om
„n goeie rede: hy is die hoof van Kultuur by Parel Vallei,
die graad 8 -hoof, „n leederraadonderwyser, en dan
gee hy nog klas ook! Ek dink dis omdat hy baie maklik ja
sê as „n student na hom toe kom met „n idee wat die
kultuur van Parel Vallei kan verryk. Ons kom nie agter
hoeveel goeie goed in die skool aan meneer
Steenkamp te danke is nie.
Verskoon die Engels wat nou gaan kom… maar
dis Meneer (soos ek met hom praat sou mens sweer sy
eerste naam was regtig Meneer) se „take no prisoners‟-
werkstyl wat so goed werk. As hy iets moet kies, dan kies
hy. En dan is dit so. Moenie stry nie. Jy mag dalk nie nou
die sin daarin sien nie, maar jy sal gou genoeg. Wys.
Daar is twee goed oor Die Steenkamps (ek en
Karen Rohwer het altyd gesê as mens „n realiteitsreeks
oor hulle maak, dan moet dit so genoem word en die
titel moet op dieselfde deuntjie as The Simpsons gesing
word) waaroor ek mal is.
Die eerste is dat mens heeltemal eerlik met hulle
kan wees. As mens soms iets oor iets of iemand sê wat
jy nie eintlik moet nie, sal hulle vir jou „n knipoog
(Meneer) of „n laggie (Mevrou) gee wat jou laat
verstaan hulle stem met jou saam.
Nommer twee: nog nooit het ek onveilig,
ongemaklik of gekul gevoel deur „n Steenkamp nie.
Almal het hulle oomblikke met hul menere en mevroue,
maar hierdie Meneer en hierdie Mevrou laat jou voel
asof jy nie by die skool is nie. By hulle voel „n mens
heeltemal tuis.
Juffrou Steenkamp is
die rede dat ek nog
Afrikaans Huistaal
neem.
Ons kom nie agter
hoeveel goeie goed
in die skool aan
meneer Steenkamp te
danke is nie.
Die Steenkamps is regte onderwysers. Toe ek
die onderhoud met hulle gedoen het, het ek beplan
om te vra: as julle nie in die onderwys was nie, wat sou
julle droomwerk gewees het? Ek het gou genoeg
agtergekom dit sou „n baie dom vraag (ja, ek weet
daar bestaan mos nie so iets nie) gewees het. Dit is
wat hulle wil doen, dit is die droomwerk, en dit is hoe
hulle daar uitgekom het…
Hulle was saam op universiteit, in dieselfde klas.
Mardie was die meisie wat reg voor gesit het en notas
gemaak het. Willem was die ou wat agter in die klas
geslaap het. Tog het hulle nooit by mekaar uitgekom
nie… as facebook toe bestaan het, sou hulle „n hele
paar „mutual friends‟ gehad het, maar Stellenbosch
was (dalk „n bietjie te) groot genoeg vir die twee van
hulle.
“Ek het nooit op universiteit met Mardie te
doen gekry nie,” sê Meneer. “Ek was kwaad gewees,
want die girls wat ek gedate het, sou vir my sê hulle is
die naweek na hulle vriendin toe in Namakwaland…”
Toe gaan Willem army toe en Mardie
Hopetown toe om skool te hou. „n Paar jaar later het
hulle altwee (heel toevallig) begin skoolhou in
Calvinia. Hulle klasse was langs mekaar. Klink bekend?
Dit was dalk toe die noodlot, maar dat hulle vandag
kan klasgee langs mekaar het nie net sommer gebeur
nie. Meer daaroor later…
Mardie was die teenoorgestelde van wat
Willem verwag het toe sy „n kwartaal na hom by die
skool in Calvinia begin het. Almal het die „ou tannie‟
Juffrou Genis geken… en nog so een verwag toe hulle
hoor daar kom nog „n Genis.
Willem en die skool se sekretaresse sluip toe
een dag in die kluis in en kyk na die nuwe Genis se
lêer: ongetroud… geen foto… dra dan seker vaal,
bruin pakkies en praat gedurig oor haar katte. Min het
hy die mooi jong vrou verwag wat voor in die klas
gesit en notas gemaak het.
Hulle was vriende. Tot Mardie hom “afgevry”
het by sy meisie: “Sy was nie „n aangename karakter
nie,” sê Juffrou vir my, “Ek weet nie hoe so „n
aangename man met so „n onaangename meisie
deurmekaar geraak het nie.”
Die kinders het in 1989 vir Juffrou Genis/Mardie
gewed dat sy aan die einde van die Junie-vakansie
sou terug kom met „n verloofring. Sy sou eers in
September verloof raak, so Mardie het geweet sy was
veilig… maar toe was die ring sommer binne „n week
klaar en sy moes die weddenskap betaal aan haar
klas: sjokolade.
Die oggend van 24 Maart 1990, “was „n
vreeslike besigheid,” sê Juffrou so half ingedagte,
“hulle [haar ma en tantes] het al die kos self gemaak
en die kerksaal georganiseer…”
Na die troue het die paartjie in die kar
gespring en na die Suidkaap gery vir „n „honeymoon
road trip.‟
Agt jaar later besluit hulle om „die lewe buite
die onderwys‟ te probeer. Willem, Mardie en „n vier –
jaar- oue Grethe het „n hotel gaan bestuur in
Namakwaland, op Kamieskroon.
Mardie was in die kombuis, besig met die kos.
En Willem was, soos nou nog, “front of house”, besig
om gaste te ontvang en probleme op te los.
In September, die maand van die blomme,
was die hotel stampvol. “Mense van oral” sê Juffrou,
“Amerikaners, Engelse, Franse, Italianers,
Japannese…”
“As ek sien daar kom „n groep Japannese,
dan hardloop ek kombuis toe… want as hulle inkom
dan vra hulle vir „soup of the day‟” lag Meneer.
Dit was twee jaar van „n Basil en Sybil van
Fawlty Towers-soort leefstyl. Die verskil was natuurlik
dat hulle „n kind gehad het. Daar was „n wonderlike
nanny, maar dit was nie genoeg nie. Te
ongedissiplineerd. Hulle het die roetine van die
onderwys gemis en was reg om terug te keer.
Dit was toe Weskaap toe – Strand toe – na
Willem se ouers (wat toe ouetehuis toe is) se huis. Hy
het gaan skoolgee in Kaapstad en sy het „n
spysenieringsonderneming begin.
Dit was nie maklik om by Parel Vallei in te kom
nie… maar meneer Steenkamp het maar sy maniere.
Toe hy in sy onderhoud met mnr. Gouws en die res
van die beheerligaam aan die einde van die eerste
kwartaal sit, sê hy vir hulle hy wil nie sy ander skool so
skielik los nie. Dalk sal dit beter wees as hy eers by
Parel Vallei in die derde kwartaal begin… intussen kan
sy (hy gee vir hulle Mardie Steenkamp se CV aan) in sy
pos waarneem by die skool.
Later die aand bel mnr. Gouws: kan Juffrou
Steenkamp volgende kwartaal begin? Meneer moes
toe vir haar gaan wys waar die skool is.
Juffrou het toe die 9E3‟s vir registerklas en
graad 8 tot 12 vir Afrikaans Eerste Addisionele Taal.
Mnr. du Preez se dogter, Genevieve, toe in Matriek
onder Juffrou Steenkamp, het gesê sy het nog nooit in
haar lewe soveel Afrikaans gedoen nie.
Meneer het toe in die derde kwartaal begin,
en Juffrou was vir die volgende paar jaar in en uit as
„n plaasvervanger. In 2003 kry die Afrikaanse
onderwyser in kamer 507 „n senuwee-ineenstorting,
(ja, dit is vir onderwysers ook moeilik), bel vir juffrou
Steenkamp die dag na haar verjaarsdag en vra vir
haar of sy kan oorneem.
Teen 2005 het Juffou „n permanente pos, in die
klas langs haar man, en die res is geskiedenis.
“Baie van die leerders is ontevrede as hulle nie
in graad 8 al „n A kry nie,” sê Juffrou, “maar jy behoort
eintlik eers in graad 12 „n A te kry, want dis „n
groeiproses. Dis so wonderlik om te sien hoe die
kinders daarby uitkom – daar is ongelooflike
intelligente kinders en talentvolle kinders in ons skool.”
“Ja,” sê Meneer, “dis waar.”
MR SAYER BY LANA DE BEER
Of course, the most legendary
moments with Mr Sayer occur on History
outings. (The history students reading this
are already smiling.) The most famous
moment was when, in grade ten, he got
onto the train and it just drove away,
leaving us on the platform.
I remember the panic on his face
when, earlier this year when the matrics
went on an outing to parliament, Jodi
Coetzee walked up to a very important
looking man in a suit and asked if he could
take a picture of our class. I‟m not exactly
sure what he said but I remember him
whispering something like: “Jodi, do you
realize you could be talking to a minister?!”
Whatever happens, he always tries
to keep things in good order. He likes things
organized. A “dames en here, verskoon
asseblief hierdie onderbreking” from the
intercom is most unwelcome. As is
someone speaking out of turn. All you have
to do is cooperate. If you do that, you‟ll
learn a lot. There‟s never a wrong answer,
everything is a debate. Remember your
introductions and conclusions and always,
always, remember the key word to survival
in History class: productivity.
the majority of
his class has
now mastered
an American,
British or
Russian accent
When you hear the name “Sayer”, you
think “slightly eccentric History teacher”
yes? Well you‟re not wrong - he is the
History teacher and he is eccentric if not
slightly.
He has, over the years, taught us
extra skills necessary for survival. This
includes; “galloping” down the corridor
whilst “neighing”-not as easy as one might
think; “diving” into the carpet and having
to swim for our lives- we were shackled
slaves, you see, so it was quite a trial.
Many drowned; and the majority of his
class has now mastered an American,
British or Russian accent.
If you have not realized this from
what is written above, Mr. Sayer is an
evtremely passionate teacher. When he
teaches, he really gets into what he is
saying. He asks questions and, even though
he already knows the answers. will get
opinions from everyone in the class on the
subject, prompting us to really think about
the work.
The best part about having him as
a history teacher is that he can often offer
the class first hand accounts. For example,
since he was alive during the apartheid
era, he can tell us what the general feeling
in the country was like at the time… and
give us pristine impersonations of the
country leaders.
He doesn‟t just do some light
research on a subject before teaching it to
us. He really gives it some in depth thought
and, like any good historian, consults a
wide variety of sources. Well… it‟s either
that, or he‟s just really good at ripping out
a random book and reading something to
us that relates to what is presented in our
text book.
There is so much more to him than meets the
eye. For instance, have you ever wondered why
he does the devotions every week? Or why he‟s so
strict about his students being late or using the
bathroom? Let‟s start at the beginning…
David Sayer was born in the Transvaal in
1947. His father had come to South Africa from
Britain in the 1930s. In 1943 his parents met at a
party and instantly connected. Due to his father‟s
tight schedule - he was in the military in World War
Two - they got married after two days!! It was
definitely „love at first sight‟ since they stayed
together.
Sayer‟s father was in the mining business in a little
town and one thing that Sayer remembers doing is
building a canoe for himself out of galvanised iron.
He went to an old-fashioned, British
boarding school for boys and that was where he
learnt the values of discipline. There was a girls
school down the road but they were only allowed
to mingle after church on a Sunday and that was
only for ten minutes, so of course a scandal
erupted.
In his 11th year, boys started to sneak out to
meet the girls. Sayer says he wasn‟t one of them,
not very convincingly. The teachers realised that
their pupils needed to mature towards the
opposite sex so „visitation rights‟ were instated.
Every Sunday afternoon for two hours, the boys
were allowed to socialise with the girls on the field.
Sayer remembers how they would rush down to
the corner shop to purchase chocolates with their
allowances. Hah, bribery.
He was involved with the SCA and they
would gather in a classroom on a Sunday night.
This would influence his career in the future.
In his 11th year,
boys started to
sneak out to meet
the girls. Sayer says
he wasn’t one of
them, not very
convincingly.
He joined the army after high school and then
went on to study a BA with History, English and
Classical Life and Thought. It was Apartheid in
those days and he would join fellow students and
protest against the unfair exclusion of black
students. He also took part in a march.
He went on to become an English teacher
in a little town where he met his wife Sandra in
1974. They then decided to move down to Cape
Town. At this stage he felt he was being called to
do the work of God so he studied to become a
pastor. He preached the gospel first at a Baptist
church in Somerset West then at a church in Cape
Town. After a while he was feeling family pressure
to provide, and there were some mixed issues and
beliefs within his church, so he went back to
teaching.
He was able to get a post at Parel Vallei
High School because of Mrs Rossouw who he
already knew due to his wife‟s friendship with her
sister. He carried on teaching English and
developed his love for acting through helping with
the school‟s production of Romeo and Juliet and
Othello. The school‟s previous History teacher, Mr
de Wit, left and when Mr Gouws offered the job to
Sayer, he immediately grabbed the opportunity.
He‟s been teaching History for the past 5-6 years.
He has three sons. His eldest is Graham (32
years old) and he is an English teacher at Somerset
College High school. The second is Brian who‟s
heavily involved with computer software etc. His
youngest son‟s name is Sean and he is an
architect busy with his third year of work. He has a
baby girl, making Mr Sayer is a grandfather. He is
very proud of this fact.
Note: Never ask a History teacher what his
favourite period in History is. It‟s a cross between
World War Two and the events leading up to it,
Bolshevism, the English Constitution- how it
became a democracy- and the new South Africa
and whether Apartheid still would‟ve reigned if
Jan Smuts was still in power. Goodness.
He admires Mr Gouws immensely for
everything that he does for the school and he also
admires the Maths department since he cannot
do a simple calculation.
I took a chance and asked whether the rumour
about Mrs Rossouw being arrested was true and it
interested him immediately, so to Mrs Rossouw:
expect a bribery in the form of a cup of tea in the
near future!
MRS VAN STADEN BY NATASHA BICKNELL
When I think of Mrs Van Staden, I think
of endless class discussions on subject
matters that can have you sitting at the
edge of your seat for up to an hour and a
half. I think of delicious chocolate cake
that is so moist it tastes like something from
heaven. Job opportunities also come to
mind, as well as blue eye shadow. If you
are one of my fellow “geographers,” you
should be nodding your head and
chuckling by now. If not, let me fill you in...
Mrs van Staden has a way of
making her pupils feel right at home. She is
the type of teacher who doesn‟t have to
shout or throw chalk around to get
attention, she has it from the get go. Her
geographers in training respect her
because she demands it, but in a non-
demanding kind of way. She teaches her
pupils to love our earth, its creatures, and
the smell of old topography maps.
A sense of humour and a massive
load of patience are two things that make
Mrs van Staden special. She also has a
deep understanding of teenagers. Our
class finds great delight in surprising her in
unexpected ways. The best time to do this
is when she is showing us slide shows and
the big screen blocks her view of the rest of
us while she sits at her computer. The guys
have a favourite trick- moving all of their
desks right to the front of the class, so when
she lifts the screen she sees seven innocent
faces peering up at her, bursting at the
seams with laughter. There was also the
time when somebody brought Vicks to
school and Mrs van Staden lifted her
screen to find half the class balling their
eyes out. That was funny.
Mrs van Staden‟s classroom always
smells like the ocean. I don‟t know how she
does it, but I like it. She always looks
perfect- I don‟t think she‟s ever had a bad
hair day in her life. She teaches us lessons
about life in an amazingly humble way.
Our daily lessons often stretch way beyond
igneous rocks and volcanic eruptions. She
likes to hear our opinion on everything,
whether it be about the latest political
scandal or starting a veggie garden at
school. Everybody‟s answer is “korrek,” as
long as it is backed up with some reason,
no matter how far fetched it might be.
That‟s what I like about Mrs van Staden.
She allows us to think out of the box. And
she has an awesome accent.
Mrs van Staden goes out of her way
to make sure that we all understand what
she teaches. If we happen to be struggling,
she is never too busy to give us an extra
lesson or three after school, or to
photocopy a million and one pages of
map work exercises. She expects the best
from us (I have been told she wants a 90%
from me at the end of the year. Cough.),
and her gentle pushing is all the motivation
we need to study our socks off. Once,
during an exam, she walked around with a
packet of mints. Exams aren‟t half as bad
when you‟re sucking on something minty.
Our class has grown a lot since grade 10. I
only came in grade 11, but since then it
has grown even more. This doesn‟t surprise
me. We all know it has to do with the fact
that geography is the best subject. That;
and Mrs van Staden‟s amazing
brandewynkoek...
Mrs van Staden’s
classroom always
smells like the
ocean. I don’t
know how she
does it, but I like it.
When I did my interview with Mrs van Staden, I
couldn‟t really think of any specific questions. So I
just asked her for her story...
It all started on a big farm between
Caledon and Greyton. It‟s not surprising that Mrs
van Staden lights up when she talks about it. It
turns out she was actually born on the farm. Her
mom was baking bread when she “realised
something was wrong” and a kitchen helper ran to
fetch her dad. That‟s when Mrs van Staden‟s great
farm-life adventure began.
Believe it or not, Mrs van Staden grew up
as a tomboy. She describes her time on the farm
as „glorious.‟ When she wasn‟t helping her dad
with the harvesting (yes, Mrs van Staden can ride
a tractor herself), she was playing rugby amongst
the oak trees or exploring the farm with her two
brothers. She also has an older sister, who was a bit
more “girly” than her. Mrs van Staden smiles a
reminiscent smile as she talks about the games she
and her brothers used to play, like “spook spook”
and how they used to climb the mountain and
braai “vissies” and pick “waterblommetjies” to eat
on their adventures. They also made river rafts and
rode horses in their free time.
Mrs van Staden‟s father was a very good
farmer. They farmed wheat, veggies and peaches
and they also kept cows for dairy. Mrs van Staden
said she didn‟t study enough in primary school
because she was always helping her dad on the
farm. Her dad achieved a lot as a farmer. His
workers were treated very well and they even
joined the family for Christmas dinner some years.
They were always given good housing on the farm
and they loved her dad very much. He even
made sure his children dressed well in front of
them, because he said it showed them respect.
Another thing Mrs van Staden loved to
do was cook. Her mother was a great cook
and she enjoyed helping her in the kitchen,
especially during her high school years. Mrs
van Staden‟s mother used to help the poorer
families in the community with catering for
weddings and functions, but her food was so
good, the wealthier families soon heard about
it and she started cooking for them too. Before
school teaching, Mrs van Staden lectured for
about ten years at Stellenbosch. She also
catered part-time for many functions,
including weddings- not only cooking, but
decorating tables and making flower
arrangements too.
Mrs van Staden is happily married with
two sons. She says her husband tells her she
can‟t sit still. It‟s apparently true. When they
lived in Paarl, she grew strawberries and took
them to the market herself. She says she often
prays that the sun will stand still so she can get
everything done. It‟s been a big change for
her to be living in the suburbs now and she
says when they visit a farm, she has a hard
time forcing herself to sit still and be a lady
when she really just wants to run around
outside like she did when she was growing up.
Mrs van Staden is probably the most
grateful, content person that I know. She says
that she can‟t do anything without help from
above. She is completely dependent on God
and she says that her one wish would be that
everyone in the world could be saved. She
and her husband go to a local hospital quite
often to minister and encourage the patients.
She seemed to think that her life hasn‟t been
much to write about, but I could probably
have sat for a whole two hours listening to her
stories about the farm and her encouraging
wisdom.
When she wasn’t
helping her dad
with the harvesting
(yes, Mrs van
Staden can ride a
tractor herself).
MRS STRAUSS BY DANIЁL GELDENHUYS
I remember it well: I was in grade ten and drama was
absolutely everything to me. Some time during the
year the tragic news struck: my drama teacher, Mr
Olivier, was leaving. The only thing scarier than trying
to imagine a world where he was no longer my
teacher, was trying to imagine the new drama
teacher. What if he/she/it was bad? What if it was
some lame substitute? What if my entire drama career
went down the drain?
It was all too horrid to think about. The new
drama teacher had to be good, there was no two
ways about it. I viewed having a bad drama teacher
as one of those diseases or accidents where people
would say „it won‟t happen to me.‟ It wouldn’t
happen to me.
And so the rumours began to fly around in a
way that they only can in a drama class. He/she/it
was in fact a she, and she studied at Stellenbosch.
Good. At the very least, I knew that meant she‟d be
good with stage work and would probably be able to
get us in a good place for practicals and Fraserburg.
The first day of term three, Ms van Zyl stood out
– I think mostly because she was wearing a
hypnotizing ensemble of primary colours… I only really
remember the purple shoes.
Finally we got to drama class and she
introduced herself to us. I was happy with the fact that
her surname was Van Zyl because I had good karma
with Van Zyls: my godmother, my primary school
(beloved) English/Afrikaans teacher/ and that really
smart girl in my class who can act like no one else and
who seems to be really nice, are all Van Zyl. So it‟s the
surname and her purple courts… we were getting off
to a good start.
A little later during her introduction to the class,
I found out I‟d seen her perform about a year before
at the Woordfees. Thinking back on what I‟d seen
then and what was currently in front of me, I got that
much-awaited feeling of relief that Ms Van Zyl would
be a good drama teacher. So there! It didn’t happen
to me.
It‟s only two years later and I can‟t seem to remember a
time without Mrs Strauss (she‟s been married for quite
some time now and I‟ve finally managed to let Van Zyl
go). She‟ll be your best friend and your worst enemy all
in the same lesson. Her marking of practicals (that‟s all a
drama student cares about) is strict but fair, and you get
the feeling that she really, really cares about you as a
student.
We‟ve grown up with Mrs. Strauss, and she with
us. Back when she started, she was a single gal who was
trying to make a place for herself in Parel Vallei, and we
thought we were very grown up. Now she‟s a married
woman who plays an integral role in the school, and we
think we‟re very grown up. We do, however, realize that
we weren‟t so grown up in grade ten.
Strauss, as we sometimes call her, is a memory
maker. (I just googled the term to see if I could claim it
as a Daniёl original, but it seems a scrapbooking
company beat me to it.) She‟s the kind of person who, if
you take a few minutes to sit down and reminisce about
the past, you‟ll find the good memories were good and
the bad memories were bad, but most of all, they are
well worth remembering.
Oh, and I was right about the whole
Stellenbosch thing: she definitely knows her way around
a stage. I‟ve seen it, not only with her direction of our
practicals, but also with the direction of her 2011 drama
production, Intiem, which I have the immense honour of
starring in.
I‟ve got to end this off now, I‟ve got lines to
learn…
Ms van Zyl stood
out – I think mostly
because she was
wearing a
hypnotizing
ensemble of
primary colours.
You walk into a bar… (this isn‟t the beginning
of a lame joke, so bear with me) …well, it‟s more of a
restaurant. The lights are low, but you can see what
you‟re doing. You‟re surrounded by a lot of
contemporary art, and the décor seems to make you
feel warm and snuggly. The food arrives: it‟s excellent.
You‟re still trying to figure out what that unexpected
ingredient is when Hettie Etikettie takes the stage and
(not so subtly) informs you that you have been using
the wrong fork.
Next scenario: you rush down to the local deli
where there is a new organic cheese being presented
for the first time. You‟re a little late, a little frazzled, but
you manage to slip in on time. Inside the deli you take
a deep breath, appreciating all the interesting smells
of the wide diversity of farm and organic products.
The presentation is about to start and Hettie Etikettie
takes the stage, informing you that you look
neglected and are incorrectly dressed for the
occasion.
Those are Mrs. Strauss‟s two dreams: theatre
and a show, and a deli for food fanatics. The
constant? Hettie Etikettie.
Who is Hettie Etikettie? In my opinion, she‟s
actually a modern outspoken superhero… and her
story goes like this…
Not so long ago in a relatively close land,
Stellenbosch drama student Annelie van Zyl received
a gift from her grandmother. A book called Etikette Vir
Elke Geleenteid by Hettie Naude. The book was
hilarious: giving detailed descriptions of how to use a
spoon and how to avoid wild men. She began to read
the best parts aloud to her friends… eventually putting
on a special “Hettie” voice (as a drama student
would) to make the material even more intriguing.
Her friends loved her etiquette renditions and
she thought she was just having some harmless fun…
but what she didn‟t know was that the book was
beginning to have a life of its own, creeping into her
dreams and manipulating her thoughts.
One day she was paging through the book
and she cut her finger on one of the pages. She
screamed, falling backwards onto the floor in terror.
She shut her eyes, gritting her teeth for thirteen painful
seconds as the change took place. When she
opened her eyes, she was no longer Annelie van Zyl,
she was Hettie Etikettie.
You can decide for yourself what you want to
take as fact from the preceding two paragraphs, but
the following is completely truthful: van Zyl used Hettie
Etikettie as the main character in her end of year
cabaret practical and many more times after that.
You wouldn‟t think that the current modern,
fun living personality that is Mrs Strauss and the strict,
traditional and highly strung Hettie Etikettie have
much in common, but it seems Strauss is more
traditional than one would think.
“I feel offended when someone comes over to
eat and they don‟t use the correct table manners,”
she says.
And it doesn‟t stop at that. She doesn‟t like to
see the way people are treating each other these
days. She finds it sad that our modern world is getting
a little too modern, too selfish.
“People don‟t even know what etiquette is
anymore. The kids laugh at etiquette because it‟s so
ridiculous, funny and crazy.”
What Hettie, and therefore Strauss, is doing, is
presenting us with the idea of etiquette in a comical
way… one that might hopefully creep into our minds
and give us that hypothetical paper cut the same
way it did her.
Strauss agrees that etiquette is a way of
showing respect, a vital component in creating (or
resurrecting) a fully functioning society.
Her traditional farm girl style upbringing makes
her an expert on the matter. Hettie carries elements of
Strauss‟s entire family, but most of all, herself.
As our conversation draws to a close, I ask
Strauss about the difference between her and Hettie.
The most obvious difference is the age difference:
Hettie is in her sixties and Strauss in her twenties. Strauss
is far more liberal and accepting than Hettie… much
less naive.
Where Hettie has a clear goal of changing the
world, Strauss seems to think she‟s wasting her time.
During the cabaret practical we see Hettie twenty
years down the line in her eighties, much more run
down than usual but still doing her etiquette lectures.
She starts with the ABC of etiquette and by the time
she gets to F, she decides to F it all because no one is
listening to her. And for a moment we believe that all
hope is lost, because if even Hettie gives up, then
there must be no hope left.
The moment passes and Hettie continues her
lecture, showing that even in the face of all adversity,
she will not give up. And therefore I‟m willing to bet
that, by definition, neither will her creator.
“I feel offended when
someone comes over
to eat and they don’t
use the correct table
manners.”
MS WICKENS BY CHANTÉ CHARLES
She is our very own doctor Phil except with
less camera drama (not that there is not any)
and much more hair (a LOT more). Many of us
believe that she must have struck a deal with a
tissues company. One can only imagine the
amounts of those she goes through a week. She
is funny, intelligent and humble. She is… Miss
Wickens!
Now when I say the word psychologist,
a pre-formed picture springs up in your mind.
This picture would be of a rounded,
prematurely balding man with thickly rimmed
glasses perched on the end of his nose. That
was what I thought. The first time I sat down in
her office, that picture could not have been
further from the truth. Instead, I was presented
with a beautiful, impossibly young lady who
had the charm and wit one almost never sees.
My first reaction was to survey the room.
When no cameras appeared (definitely not
Phil), I sat back puzzled. This wore off as soon as
she opened her mouth. After talking with her, I
left feeling incredibly lighter. I thought, that was
incredible. Then I thought, am I really that
obvious?
After a few sessions with her, and many
reassurances from people who had seen her
before, I realized that I was not obvious. Miss
Wickens is simply that good. Not only that, but
she brings out the best in everyone. Perhaps
you would better understand this if I shared
some of my experiences with you.
Growing up is never easy. There are curveballs
thrown your way that you never saw coming. In
times such as those, you need someone to turn
to. I, like the masses, ran to our esteemed
school psychologist. Unknowingly, I had made
one of the best decisions of my life. One of the
aspects about her that I adore is that she can
advise you on any given topic. First, there are
the aptitude tests. That may have marked the
beginning of the journey. From there, it
branched out into all different directions.
I never before described myself as funny.
(Too many jokes that received no laughter
taught me that.) The first time Miss Wickens
laughed at something I said, I nearly fell off my
chair. The point is that she aims to not only help
you with your problems, but to make you feel
great about yourself.
Her office may be one of the safest
places in school to simply let go of all the pent
up emotions within you. Sometimes it never
occurred to me that I needed to sit down and
let the tears pour out. When I arrive at her office
after a long day, it roughly takes five minutes
before I am bawling.
I do not think that there has ever been a
session with her that I have not enjoyed. I believe
the most amazing thing about her is that she
makes you feel special. It is as though despite
her being on a completely different level of
maturity, she validates you. What I learnt from
her is something that I would never trade. I can
also never fully describe this to you.
Just like the way that I will never be able
to describe Miss Wickens to you all. There is
something indescribably charming about her.
She made me feel safe, supported and
important to the matters of the world. It never is
cheesy or put upon. Miss Wickens and her
comforting office are among the things that I will
miss most about high school. (I have already
taken steps and swapped numbers. One never
knows when one needs backup… and she is the
best backup).
If you are uncertain about making an
appointment with her, hesitate no further. (For
every session she has booked after this article, I
benefit as well. I probably should not have said
that.)
Her office may be
one of the safest
places in school
to simply let go of
all the pent up
emotions within
you.
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
Ms Wickens is not an easy person to get access
to. Chanté couldn‟t get an appointment with her
before this issue had to be published.
Coincidence? No. Ms Wickens is like a hot New
York restaurant: always fully booked.
In a way I guess it‟s not a bad thing. The
school psychologist should retain that level of
mystique.
She always says she has a thousand-one
hundred- and-however-many-students-PV-has-
at-the-time children. And it‟s true. She really is like
a mother. I for one have run to her in situations of
desperate panic, trying to figure out a polite way
to tell her to “make it all better!” She has
managed to do so every time.
I doubt there will be anyone who will
disagree with me when I say she is the most
important figure to the students in the school. We
will be forever grateful for her guidance.
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