Cape Town - The halls of South Peninsula High School are steeped in history and the indomitable spirit of its educators.
This year marks the end of an era, as Principal Zeid Baker, 60, and administrative assistant Joan Bezuidenhout, 65, bid farewell to the school they have called home for decades, leaving behind a combined legacy of 69 years in education.
Baker’s journey at South Peninsula High began long before he became its principal.
In 1978, he walked through the gates as a learner during a turbulent time marked by the 1980 uprisings.
“The learners took on the State during those years,” he recalled.
“That was part of my high school experience, and it shaped my understanding of resilience and the power of community.”
After completing his matric, earning his degree and teaching qualifications at UCT, Baker applied to several schools, but it was South Peninsula that offered him his first post.
“I started teaching science in 1988. “Walking into the school as a teacher and being welcomed by the very mentors I looked up to was a profound moment,” he said.
Baker quickly rose through the ranks, becoming head of department in 1994, deputy principal in 1998, and eventually principal in 2017.
“This school’s ethos of learning has remained consistent.
“We’ve always focused on academic discipline, innovation, and ensuring that both teachers and learners are well-supported.”
Over the years, he has cherished the “light bulb moments” when learners grasp complex concepts, especially in a school that has historically faced disadvantages.
“Seeing our learners succeed at tertiary levels and make a success of their lives is the ultimate reward,” he said.
As he retires, he feels confident in the next generation of energetic teachers who will carry South Peninsula’s legacy forward.
Bezuidenhout’s tenure at South Peninsula High began in the 1980s when she joined as an administrative assistant under principal Moerat.
Over the years, she witnessed the school evolve through the leadership of three principals, including a young Baker, whom she first met as a Standard 9 learner (Grade 11).
“I’ve always loved the morals and ethics that have guided this school,” Bezuidenhout reflects.
Though she initially joined the workforce with a junior certificate, South Peninsula’s teachers helped her complete her matric – a testament to the school’s supportive culture.
“This place is like a family. I got married here, had my kids while working here, and grew up here from the age of 18.”
Bezuidenhout describes her role as being a secondary mother to countless learners, ensuring they were disciplined, supported, and prepared for adulthood.
“The most rewarding part has been helping others and witnessing their growth,” she said.
As she prepares to hand over the baton, Bezuidenhout feels no nervousness, only confidence in the capable hands of the next generation.
Both Baker and Bezuidenhout speak with deep emotion about their time at the institution.
Baker described his 37-year journey as one he “wouldn’t change for anything,” while Bezuidenhout reflected on the privilege of being part of a school that feels more like a family than a workplace.