DODIE de Freitas and Aneen Botha celebrated 30 years each in the teaching profession at Gill Primary School in Somerset East recently.
They received certificates of merit from the principal, Johan Nel.
After graduating, both educators started their teaching careers at Gill Primary School in 1989 with Gert Smit as principal.
As a ‘city girl’, De Freitas was desperately unhappy for the first three years and Botha had plans to return to the Western Cape. However, everything changed for the better for both when ‘love’ happened.
Aneen married Coenraad Botha, an old Gillian who works as a broker at Gerber, Botha and Gowar. Meanwhile Dodie married Jose de Freitas, owner/manager at De Freitas Spar in town.
The Bothas were blessed with two boys and two girls and the De Freitas family grew likewise with three boys: Daniel (22), Jared (20) and their late but ‘extra blessing’, Matthew (13).
Asked what the difference between her first day of teaching and today is, De Freitas responded, “The difference is wisdom, patience and insight.
“Teaching, for me, is a very spiritual thing. I felt the ‘calling’ at a very early age. I believe a teacher is born not made.
“There is still no greater thrill for me than watching children develop and grow. I am thankful because I have been blessed with health, happiness and a beautiful family.
“And I get to live my purpose at Gill Primary School every single day. My heart is where my home is.”
Discussing the fact that three of Botha’s children are following in their mother’s footsteps, Botha admitted, “Yes, teaching runs in my veins as both my parents were in the profession and as long as I can remember, I have always dreamt of becoming a teacher.
“If people tell me they study teaching ‘to have something to fall back on’, I warn them that they will find it hell on earth.
“When you are called to be a teacher you will be in it with heart and soul and you will achieve success and be happy. Please note, not rich but entirely happy. I am very happy with the road the Lord has planned for me.”
