26/09/2026
40 YEARS OF SERVICE — A NIGHT I WILL TREASURE ✨
40 years of service to NEW ORLEANS SECONDARY…..
Last night was one of those evenings that I will treasure for a very long time. ❤️
After 40 years in education, I had the incredible privilege of receiving my 40-Year Long Service Award, together with 55 other colleagues from across the Western Cape.
For one evening, we were the VIPs — celebrated, honoured and reminded of the incredible journey that four decades of service represents.
Our certificates were handed to us by Western Cape Minister of Education, Mr Jaco Londt, and the HOD, Mr Brent Walters, making the occasion even more special. Standing there receiving my certificate was a very proud moment — one that made me reflect on four decades filled with lessons, challenges, laughter, friendships, achievements and, most importantly, countless young lives touched along the way.
But the most special part of the evening for me was having my son, Cardré, by my side. ❤️
He accompanied me to represent the person I would have loved more than anyone to have been standing beside me — his father and my children’s dad, who passed away 24 years ago.
There was something incredibly special about looking at my son standing beside me and knowing that, although his father could not be there to share this milestone, a part of him was there through his son.
Cardré, thank you for being there for me and for representing your dad on a night that meant so much to me. It made the celebration even more meaningful, and it is a memory I will hold very close to my heart. ❤️
And then there are the people who have walked this journey with me…
🌸 Sabina Dumas, our Deputy Principal — thank you for being not only a colleague, but a friend and someone I can count on. Your support and presence have meant more than you probably realise.
🌿 Lorraine Kuun and Louise Strydom — my Life Sciences colleagues and, more importantly, my dear friends. We have shared classrooms, learners, deadlines, laughter, frustrations, successes and countless stories. Over the years, our professional relationship grew into something much more precious — a friendship that I treasure deeply. ❤️
Forty years is not simply a number.
It represents people, lives touched, lessons taught, friendships made, challenges overcome and memories created.
I am deeply grateful for the privilege of spending these 40 years in education and for every person who has been part of my journey.
And as I stood there last night, surrounded by colleagues, friends and my son, I realised just how much this milestone represents.
40 years of teaching.
40 years of learning.
40 years of serving.
40 years of making a difference.
And I am incredibly proud of the journey. ❤️
Proud. Grateful. Blessed.
