After pouring 37 years of service into Kleinberg Primary School, Naazly Hector bid farewell to the Ocean View school on Tuesday 31 March, closing a remarkable chapter that spanned nearly four decades.

Hector became a cornerstone of the school’s administration.

Appointed in 1989 as a secretary, she began her journey at a time when the school’s administrative staff carried multiple responsibilities.

As the school expanded, so did its operational needs, eventually leading to the creation of a bursar post to ease the workload.

Hector transitioned into this role and, in recent years, served primarily as the school’s finance officer.

Throughout her tenure, she played a vital role in managing the school’s finances and ensuring compliance with Western Cape Education Department requirements.

Her work behind the scenes contributed significantly to the smooth functioning and growth of the school.

School principal Denzil van Graan praised Hector for her unwavering commitment and professionalism over the years.

“She served the school community with dedication and carried out her duties efficiently,” he said. “She also adapted gracefully to the many technological changes in administration. We wish her everything of the best in her well-deserved retirement.”

School Governing Body (SGB) chair Grace Yantolo also expressed gratitude on behalf of parents.

“She played a vital role in ensuring the school adhered to financial management protocols as required by the Western Cape Education Department,” she said.

Colleagues described Hector as reliable, diligent and deeply committed to the school’s success.

Her long-standing service has left a lasting impact on the institution and its community.

As she embarks on a new chapter, the Kleinberg Primary community celebrates her contribution and wishes her a fulfilling and restful retirement.

Reflecting on her long career, Hector highlighted the relationships she built as among her most treasured memories.

“Most memorable was the opportunity to work alongside dedicated teachers and administrative staff over the years. I’m proud to have contributed to the school’s growth and success.

“The camaraderie with my colleagues and the sense of purpose that came with knowing I played a role in the school’s operations.”

She also reflected on how both the school and the Ocean View community have evolved over time.

The learner body has become more diverse, with a notable shift from Afrikaans Home Language instruction to predominantly English.

At the same time, she noted increasing social challenges facing learners and schools. Adapting to change was a constant throughout her career, particularly in terms of technology.

“For me, the means of communication from a friendly enquiring call and/or in-person school visit to emails and having to reply within a reasonable time is a technological change that I had to adapt to. The physical contact I missed and building and fostering relationship were a big adjustment,” she said.

As bursar, Hector carried significant responsibility.

“It was an important task being the custodian of the school’s finances. I had to ensure that the school complies with financial protocols and prepare for audits and school monitoring visits. The biggest challenge was to ensure that transparency with school finances was in place and that all documentation required for transactions was in place and secured safely.”

Offering advice to those entering similar roles, she emphasised the importance of staying informed.

“Keep abreast with ever-changing financial legislation and finance management protocols. Keep in contact with the school’s resource officers and enquire if uncertain about anything.”

Looking ahead, Hector is eager to embrace a slower pace of life after decades of dedicated service.

“The opportunity to spend more time with family, travel and enjoy leisure activities,” she said, is what she looks forward to most in her retirement.

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