Tribute to teacher, anti-death penalty activist Koert Meyer
I AM a former Rosewood Primary School learner who was in the care of the Mr Koert Meyer whom I am sure you knew well.
Like many people who knew him, I was shocked when I heard of his sudden passing. He and I had been in constant contact since he had discovered (via mainstream and social media) that I had graduated with a PhD in Education in May last year.
Last Saturday, May 7, at his funeral service, I had the honour to share Mr Meyer’s influence on my life from a very young age.
I shared briefly about how he had inspired me and my fellow learners to excel. I also shared about his commitment to the abolition of the death penalty. In this respect, I composed and read this poem in his honour:
LOVE REVISITED
I will not judge you; please realise I know you made a poor decision. I know you may have regrets
But I could never support your demise
I will not excuse your actions;
I am aware of the hurt they caused. I will not minimise the repercussions But I will journey with you against these laws.
These laws are archaic; they should not remain.
They have stifled our progress; they have caused us more pain.
These laws have robbed us of our creativity;
They have tainted our humanity. But you, like me; you have your faults.
They may have led to your guilt But they do not define who you are; We cannot undo the spilt milk. But together we can champion a greater cause. We can usher the change to this barbaric clause.
We can make our fellows understand grace;
Show them a better way to embrace. Together we can undo the ultimate penalty;
It is not hard to do.
We can exemplify a love that is our common identity;
For Love is not anything new. Imagine if grace and love were the crimes of the day.
I would be guilty as charged. My friend, I forgive you; hear my call.
You deserve a second chance; don’t we all?
Consider what Jesus did when others meant doom.
He showed love and grace; even beyond the tomb.
Let us learn from Him and release our anger.
Let us take our cue from Him; our rock our anchor.
Now humanity; let us wake up from this dark.
For the dark ages have long dissipated.
A new dawn of civilisation beckons; let’s be the spark
That ignites a fresh beginning, and an end to backward hatred.