A victor on the field and in the classroom
AS A professional footballer Gopi Naidu was held in high regard, especially for his no-nonsense approach, thoughtfulness on the ball and his leadership skills.
Blessed with good pace and being a tough tackler were useful traits to call on in the days when he played in his preferred centrehalf position.
“Cool and composed” is what best described Naidu, 63, who won the hearts of many over the 15 years he played for the Federation Professional League.
Even when some of his performances on the field became headline news, he preferred to downplay them and shifted the focus to the collective effort of his team.
The footballer adopted that same approach during his 40 years of teaching at Witteklip Secondary in Croftdene, Chatsworth.
Naidu served as principal from 1997 until his retirement in January.
He was more comfortable sharing the praise and appreciation for Witteklip’s academic performances and community outreach initiatives, with his colleagues.
Many of the pupils came from broken and impoverished homes; school offered them some respite. The Welfare of Witteklip project, which was driven by Naidu, ensured struggling children were given regular meals and grocery hampers.
Naidu was a confidant and counsellor to many pupils who felt comfortable to share their heartache and worries with him.
“I was a half-baked person before I arrived at Witteklip; through my interactions with the community of Croftdene I developed further as a person. I won the trust and respect of the people of Croftdene.”
Only after years of discipline, dedication and the desire to succeed did Naidu bow out as an educator, satisfied that he had answered his calling with aplomb.
The same work ethic served him well as a footballer, a cricket player in his younger days and a fleet-footed athlete.
Naidu credits his father, James, for his drive and discipline. His father worked as a manager at a transport company.
“My father was a very strict and disciplined man” – someone whom Naidu and his siblings, Amsha, Mahadavan and Ruggs would never dare defy.
They lived in an eight-room wood and iron house in Merebank and sections of the building were rented out.
Naidu loved life in the area, especially playing football with friends on a makeshift field his father had created by levelling vacant land in their neighbourhood. Name: Gopigaoathy (Gopi) Ramsami Naidu Born: June 16, 1953 in Merebank Father: James, a manager at a transport company Mother: Radha, a housewife Siblings: Amsha, Mahadavan and Ruggs Primary schools: Merebank State Aided and Isipingo State Aided Secondary: Isipingo High Tertiary: Springfield College of Education. He completed his diploma in 1976
First and only teaching post:
Chatsworth Wife: Shilo Married: In 1977 Children: Sandhya and Dharshan Witteklip Secondary, Croftdene,