The Good Shepherd Primary School's principal of 19 years received a memorable and emotional send-off on Monday afternoon at the city hall. Besides being a mother of five and a music teacher for 42 years, Prudence van der Linde was described as a mentor, spiritual being and one whose passion for music was enviable.
The Good Shepherd Primary School's principal of 19 years received a memorable and emotional send-off on Monday afternoon at the city hall. Besides being a mother of five and a music teacher for 42 years, Prudence van der Linde was described as a mentor, spiritual being and one whose passion for music was enviable.
Young boys and girls of Good Shepherd opened the event with impressive traditional dances, and people from various sectors in the Department of Education and Makana Municipality came in their numbers to bid the principal farewell.
Many people praised van der Linde for the improvements she has made since she came to the school. It was founded over 100 years ago and the buildings were becoming dilapidated when she was a teacher at the school. With the help of the Grahamstown community and after forging a friendship with St Andrew's College van der Linde managed to transform the school into what it is today.
Her drive and passion did more than remodel a school, however, and she also inspired the people around her. “Mrs van der Linde kept us motivated," said Grade 7 pupil, Zinzani Mpolweni. "She is a true shepherd who taught us well and kept us motivated.”
Councillor Pierre Ranchhod was at the function in the place of Makana's Mayor, and said that “Mrs van der Linde is a deeply spiritual person, her feet are deeply rooted wherever she walks”.
When van der Linde's son, Patrick stood up to give a speech, she could not hold back her tears. "Mom, you are my icon and my inspiration, now the time for you to retire has arrived," he said. He wished her all the best and said that she can now relax and enjoy her retirement. Then her daughter, who is also named Prudence, sang Josh Groban's 'You raise me up' which reduced her to another bout of tears.
A former Good Shepherd pupil, Thembela Taboshe, who is now a Circuit Officer in the Navy, remembers her old school teacher as someone who built up her character. "Mrs Van Der Linde saw potential in each and every one of us, even when we didn't, and I would like to thank her for that," she said.
In response to all this, the teary woman of the moment stood up to give a speech. "At this point words fail me, this gathering was the least of my expectations," she said. Apparently she had only asked the teachers to give the school children a doughnut and a cool drink each and tell them to go home. "I hope the school continues to blossom from here on."
