Today, a brass band and a community walked my dad home from school - his last day on duty. 35 years at the same school in the same place. He’s the one in the middle of the crowd, in the blazer, leading the celebrations. A dedicated educator and public servant

His leadership is defined by doing things quietly in the background, he didn’t need praise or recognition. Even he has been stunned by the overwhelming gratitude displayed this week - his last week. My mom tells of all the kids he’s helped that’s come to her to say thanks

Watching this made my eyes start leaking. I’m about to burst, I’m so proud. Proud of a father who raised me and many others. This from my mom: ‘Ons harte het gebars en bloed trane het gevloei’

He taught us about teamwork. Time comes for photos he calls his staff. All of them, even the guard who locks the gates of the school. The one in the front in shorts is my cousin, she says she became a primary school teacher because of my dad

I remember my dad coming home from school one afternoon - bleeding. He was stabbed in his hand by a drug dealer trying to sell to his learners. The tears and outpouring of gratitude makes sense, this man protected his school

I should credit @lualdic for the videos and keeping the whole family in on the flex of the father’s walk to freedom. She’s also my father’s favourite daughter. I’m not mad, she’s amazing

When they left him at the gates of our house, they cried. The band kept playing https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😭" title="Loudly crying face" aria-label="Emoji: Loudly crying face">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😭" title="Loudly crying face" aria-label="Emoji: Loudly crying face">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😭" title="Loudly crying face" aria-label="Emoji: Loudly crying face">. My mom is dishing out hugs while trying to wipe her own tears. These two humans, maaann