A teacher of deeds

Port Alfred High remembers, bids farewell to one of its best, Johan Van Zyl

Johan Van Zyl was born in 1954 and matriculated at Nico Malan High School in Humansdorp.

He went on to Graaff-Reinet Teachers Training College where he qualified as a teacher, and then on to Walvis Bay.

He married Yma Erasmus in 1979, and they had three children, Liesl, Kris and Heidi.

In 1982, he moved to Port Alfred High School where he became a legendary teacher until his retirement in 2015.

My first interaction with Johan went something like this: When I was appointed to the position of headmaster of PAHS in 2005, one of the first tasks I set myself was to interview each member of staff.

I announced this in the Staff Room, and when I returned to my office, Johan was waiting for me at my door. He told me with a twinkle in his eye that the school motto was “Deeds and not Words.”

He went on to say that he and I would get to know each other very well in the future and it was a waste of time for him to come and talk to me as he had a class waiting for him.

In any case, he said, we would be judged on our deeds, and not words! Johan was a fantastic sportsman and a tough competitor. Anyone who played rugby or squash against him will confirm that.

This love of sport extended into his teaching career and he is still known for his inspiring rugby, squash and cricket coaching.

Johan loved nothing better than making money for the school and during the school holidays he would manage a caravan park on the school fields.

Also, during school holidays he would bring singers like Eddie Eksteen, Dozi and Ray Dylan to Port

Alfred to boost the school coffers. His pupils will always remember the tours to Cape Town, Oudshoorn, Riet River and Kariega River, the beach walks or camping along the river.

Walking past his classroom, one would hear the children chanting their times tables.

He was the best maths teacher ever, in their eyes.

And so Port Alfred High School and the whole community bids farewell to a man who will long live in our memories, Johan Van Zyl.