Celebrating women educators: A heartfelt appreciation breakfast

Women educators were celebrated at a  “time-out” appreciation breakfast, hosted by community leaders Felicia and Mark Jackson at the Capetonian hotel on Saturday, August 24.

The annual event, inspired by the Jacksons’ friendships with fellow teachers since high school, recognises the vital role of educators and the impact they continue to make in society.

“We try to treat the teachers annually to honour them for all their hard work.”

This year’s guest speakers shared their journeys to leadership, encouraging women to embrace resilience, determination, and excellence.

Dr Colleen Cozett, assistant director and curriculum planner at Northlink College, has dedicated her career to education. Her role includes supporting academic services in the office of the deputy CEO.

She is also actively involved in Nurture Network and GetFit Nation, and hosts the TV programme GetFit with Dr. Colleen on DSTV channel 263. Beyond academia, she helps schools prepare matriculants for further studies.

Raised in Lentegeur, Mitchell’s Plain, Ms Cozett began her teaching career at Hyacinth Primary and Lentegeur High, the schools she once attended. With 26 years of teaching across South Africa, she joined Northlink College as a lecturer in 2012.

Ms Cozett entertained the women with dance and a modelling show to highlight the significance of being a woman.

“Our hearts,as women, are very complex. Only God knows and understands us. So, we must never give up, no matter what we’re going through.. Let’s believe in that so that we can be stronger. Do you know that you are enough? And that you don’t need to prove anything to anybody.”

Chantal Michaels, director of recreation and parks department community services and health, said her life took a turn when a teacher encouraged her to change her lifestyle: “An educator spoke to me and told me,(when she was in school), that ‘you know you have potential and don’t let your circumstances determine where you are going.’ And that made a difference.”

Walleen Mostert, fondly known as Lee, a former member of the Mitchell’s Plain Students’ Congress (MIPSCO) and political prisoner, matriculated from Mondale High in 1991. She co-founded the Mitchell’s Plain Development Action Collective (MPDAC), supported feeding schemes during Covid and currently focuses on ensuring young people are able to access higher education in order to change the cycle of poverty.

In 1989, at just 17, Ms Mostert, her sister  Freda Mostert, and the late Estelle Leonard, were arrested under the Emergency Regulations and detained at Pollsmoor Prison after 14 days of solitary confinement.

At the event, she reflected on women’s safety: “We cannot walk freely in the streets of this country. There is a war on our bodies that nobody wants to acknowledge. Ladies, take care of yourselves first. Join a walking club, a book club - it’s good for the soul.”

Recently appointed principal of Pelican Park High School, Shariefa Clark expressed gratitude on behalf of her school: “It was phenomenal. We thank the Jacksons for inviting PPHS to be part of this inspiring event.”

A former teacher at Beacon Hill High, Ms Clark highlighted the unseen struggles women carry: “Because we carry it well doesn’t mean it’s not heavy. Yet, despite it all, we rise.”

She also called for women to choose solidarity over division: “Sometimes we hold each other back through gossip and criticism. But when we support one another, we are unstoppable… When women rise together, the world cannot ignore us.”

The breakfast ended on a powerful note of unity, resilience, and sisterhood - a reminder that when women educators are uplifted, entire communities rise with them.