The Free State education department held a glittering occasion to recognise and reward successful matriculants in the province recently. It was time for teachers and principals whose learners performed miracles to strut around like highly prized peacocks as they basked in the limelight and flashing mediacameras.
One such educator was D Tshepo Mokoena, a mathematics teacher at Bluegumbosch Secondary school in Qwaqwa in the eastern Free State, who preened around with a spring in his step like a successful impresario displaying his prized race-winning black stallion.
His matric learner, Bokang Vincent Mokubing, achieved the highest marks in the quintile 3 in the whole country. Mokubung is the star pupil of the moment, and Mokoena’s smile never faded in the glow of his former learner.
“He is a true leader,” Mokoena enthused when asked what kind of a learner was Mokubung. “He tutored his fellow learners with patience and so much wisdom for his age,” Mokoena added. Mokubung was also the head prefect of all other prefects at the school.
But he carried himself with humility and graceful dignity. During the interview Mokubung was relaxed like a veteran who has seen it all. The soft-spoken University of Pretoria- bound student beamed when he was asked, ‘how do you feel?’
“I am great sir,” he returned with an air of assured authority.
He has elected to read actuarial science at UP. He wants to manage his own hospitality business in the future, not only in South Africa, but throughout Africa. “I am ambitious sir,” he smiled, “and I have this burning desire to realise my dream of being a successful business mogul.”
Mokubing appeared unsure of what to say when he answered the question, why is maths difficult for some learners? “I think they don’t give themselves enough time to study and to deal with the subject. You see, you have to relax and be patient. But more importantly, you must understand the methods. That’s it.”
He is not only a maths genius this Mokubung. According to Mokoena, Mokubung is the masterpiece of the academic world.
“Yes, it is true,” Mokubung concurred.” I find it easy to understand all subjects and to pass them with equal ease of effort. So I helped others all the time.”
Mokoena, unable to keep to himself, quipped that it was time to unearth another Mokubung this year. “Meet me here next January when I present another award-winning champion of the province in maths,” he beamed a twinkle in his boyish smile.
Of course, Mokubung confirmed that Mokoena was his most influential person since they met in grade 10.”There is no one else.”
Bokang Mokubung with D Tshepo Mokoena
