THE former Deputy Chief Education Specialist in the learner enrichment office of the Department of Education, Daniel Sotyato (62), has retired following a 36-year career in this department.
Sotyato, originally from Ngquru locality in Ngcobo, started out as a teacher and finally took the decision to retire, after showing dedication and commitment to the work of uplifting the learners in sport, and in other challenges that are facing communities.
He played a major role in educating boys who have attended initiation schools about how to behave.
Talking to Mthatha Express, Sotyato said that he grew up in a rural area.
“While growing up, I used to love playing sport a lot. I studied at Clarkebury Senior Secondary School in Ngcobo and from there I went to Cicira Teachers College in Mthatha, where I did my teachers course in 1983.
“There were some challenges which led me to go back home, but I went back to the college again. I then started teaching at Matshongwe Junior Secondary School. I did not stay for a long time, and then went to be the deputy principal at Kukhambi Junior Secondary School,” said Sotyato.
He said that in 1995 he went to Centuli Junior Secondary School in the role of principal, and then in 1997 moved over to work for the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, where he focused on school sport.
According to Sotyato, he returned to the Department of Education in 2002. He said that while he was Circuit Manager, they served a big area.
“In 2008 I went to the head office as the Deputy Chief Education Specialist in school sport. It is my passion to take children to the playing fields. Even in my location I organised tournaments for them.
“I also worked with the house of traditional leaders and Khoisan people about the challenges of initiates.”
Sotyato said he organised camps for these boys returning from initiation schools, because they noticed that when the (boys) come back from these schools they lose respect for their parents and teachers in schools.
According to him, these initiation schools should be a place where boys are taught respect and how to behave as they are now men, but instead they come home showing no respect.
“These are the things that I wanted to change; that is why I started this programme, but unfortunately we are getting old, day by day.
“In 2023, I took the decision to retire from my work. Due to my programme, I have seen some small changes, but there is still a lot to be done. Parents should also play a major role and fight these challenges, but sometimes they are the ones who cause problems.”
He appealed to parents to ensure that they do not put pressure on their children when it comes to initiation, and take full responsibility to avoid the deaths that are increasing every time.
Sotyato added that these campaigns done by government and the Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) must not be stopped.
He said that even though he is now at home, he will not cease communicating with traditional leaders about the importance of these matters.
Sotyato appealed to teachers to ensure that they introduce indigenous games in their sports activities, so that all learners are able to participate, and to make them not only to concentrate on books.
