EDMOND “Bunny” Carelse, who retired recently from his post as principal of Lingcom Primary School in Graaff-Reinet after 38 years, leaves behind a rich legacy of learning and life skills.
Many former learners, now scattered around the world, owe their success today to his kind and caring influence over the years.
Carelse, who was born and bred in Graaff-Reinet, trained as a teacher in Port Elizabeth and Cape Town, specialising in art. His first appointment was as a Standard 2 (now Grade 4) teacher at Lingcom Primary in January 1981, and he has been at the school ever since.
He progressed through the ranks, being promoted to head of department in 1990; then, after a spell as deputy principal, he reached the pinnacle of his career as principal in 2010.
Through his rise in his profession, he has remained humble, and kept his feet firmly on the ground.
He said that he had been honoured to be given the responsibility of what he truly sees as a calling, and to be able to give back to what is a very poor community.
He admitted to finding it very frustrating that many parents set their children such poor examples, and treasured memories of being able to help children out of the cycle of poverty and abuse.
He said he was also proud to be leaving behind the legacy of a very strong team of educators, who will be led by acting principal, Basil Jacobs, from January 2020.
Carelse has been married to his wife, Zabeth, for 35 years, and the couple have three adult children who have all achieved success in their chosen fields.
He is looking forward to spending more time with his family during his retirement, and has promised himself a quiet ‘retirement sabbatical’ before he takes up any new activities.
“My heart’s desire is to take an adventure motorbike tour around the borders of South Africa,” he said.
