Africa-Press – South-Africa. She was a rare gem. She was a well-polished diamond.”
This is how Free State Education MEC Tate Makgoe described teacher Matefo Mphosela, 35, who was murdered earlier this week, allegedly by a 21-year-old pupil she was mentoring.
Makgoe said Mphosela was a Good Samaritan who not only loved the classroom but cared for the well-being of her pupils too.
Makgoe visited Mphosela’s family home in Botshabelo, Free State on Saturday to offer his condolences.
The teacher was stabbed at her rented home in Soutpan [also Free State] on Thursday. The motive for the killing is unknown.
“She mentored many pupils, including the suspect,” said Makgoe. “She was a mother to them. She taught complex subjects and went out of her time to polish our mathematics and science pupils.
“Some pupils spent time at her rented property, where she taught them after hours. Her death is painful. We have lost a young teacher who had been with us for 10 years and could have spent another 30 years with us.”
Makgoe said they had a shortage of maths and science teachers in the province. “Replacing a teacher in Soutpan is going to be difficult.
“She was dedicated, focused and had a personal relationship with our pupils… we want to see justice,” Makgoe said.
He went on to add that the suspect had received financial and educational support and that Mphosela had also assisted the suspect achieve improved results during the September examinations.
“His recent results showed that he would attain a Bachelor’s pass this year. He has ruined his life and is now in prison facing a murder charge.”
“Statistically, we don’t have many pupils above the age of 20 in the province and he was among few pupils of that age in our system.
“Mphosela worked where many teachers would not [ideally] want to go. She impacted many lives and her pupils achieved a minimum of 80% pass rate.
He said it was now up to pupils to remember Mphosela by keeping their focus and producing excellent results.
READ | Killing of teacher by pupil sends shockwaves
Kopanong principal, Nameng Sehloho battled to hold back tears while describing Mphosela.
“She was the best Grade 12 teacher we had. She was a loving, dedicated and fearless teacher. She would correct, encourage and reprimand us when we did wrong. She was also the School Evaluation Coordinator.
“She loved every child at our school. When the district wanted to take our matriculants to a recent study camp, she refused, instead advising that it was wise for pupils to remain in school because teachers knew where each pupil was lacking.”
Sehloho said Mphosela also loved her colleagues and had recently assisted a newly-appointed teacher financially.
My mother
Kate Mphosela, 29, described her elder sister as a mother to her.
“We lost our mother in March and she took over the role of a mother to me. She was my role model. She encouraged me to study and become a teacher as she did.
“She impacted many lives that she touched.
Kate also said she had taken several pupils in Botshabelo under her wing to help with their schoolwork.
For More News And Analysis About South-Africa Follow Africa-Press
