A Lifetime Achievement for 65-year-old PhD graduate
Retired teacher Dr. /RUQD -RQDWKDQ beamed with pride when she graduated with her PhD in Education at the age of 65 for her research that analysed the conceptions of the Zulu Kinship System and
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children’s education.
On her 10th birthday, Jonathan lost her mother. In keeping her mother’s lessons and memory alive, she took care of her six siblings while striving to reach her goals to become a teacher. She kickstarted her dream by working as an administrative clerk at Stanger Primary School, a position she held for 26 years. At the age of 40, she completed her teachers’ diploma, going on to complete her Honours degree in Education.
Jonathan wrote to the former KwaZulu-Natal
Finance and Education MEC, Ina Cronje, highlighting her achievements and future aspirations of becoming a teacher.
“Within a beat, she responded to me, and I was seconded to a local primary school to start my teaching career. Despite having no remuneration, I spurred on for career growth opportunities.”
A decade later, at the age of 50, Jonathan was appointed as a permanent educator. “I
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difference and add value to the lives of learners as an educator. I treasured every moment with my young souls, knowing that I was given this platform to inspire, instil and awake imaginations to success,” she said.
Her PhD explored the lives of children in KZN who have been orphaned, or are otherwise vulnerable, in relation to the Zulu Kinship care system, which is the placement of children with their relatives.
“Orphanhood has become widespread because of
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though there are also other contributing factors. The kinship care system is the preferred option should it become necessary for a child to be removed from home and placed within a safe environment. It is the least restrictive and most familylike out-of-home placement,” explained Jonathan.
For her study, the orphaned children were selected from three high schools in the KwaDukuza area while nine children were selected from a childcare facility in Durban, as well as a social worker from the same facility.
Findings revealed that the families themselves were poor and humble, yet had been open to accepting yet another child to care for. An
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central role of mothers and
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fathers, the loss of parents, as well as the major role played in the extended families by
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despite the evidence of abuse and despite the evidence that institutional care was supportive and warm, children in care expressed a longing for family, even some children from families that had failed them completely.
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and life’s journey, she said:
‘In life, we all face hardships in whatever shape or form.
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move beyond the present circumstance strengthens our
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virtue contribute positively to our future and the legacy we leave behind. I am here today, living my dream and being my authentic self. There were nights when I had the candle burning at both ends and my loving husband was right there alongside me.’
Jonathan is grateful for her support system of family, friends and supervisors.
Issued by Corporate Relations
“Age is a matter of feeling not years”
_ George William Curtis