Bongiwe Khumalo
Bongiwe Khumalo
Gobonwang Grace Tau's dream was to educate the nation and equip young people with enough skills to face the world.
By the time she died last Saturday, so many young people had passed through her hands that she had shaped them into productive members of society. As a teacher with a very long service, Tau touched and changed a lot of lives.
Born on July 17 1931 at Sateng in Mafikeng, Tau had battled ill health until last Saturday.
Tau qualified as a teacher in 1951 at Tiger Kloof Teachers' Training College, between Vryburg and Kimberley.
She began her fruitful teaching career in 1952 and taught at Masutlhe and Disaneng in Mafikeng, Moroka in Thaba Nchu, and Thulasizwe and Selope Thema in Soweto.
During her years as a teacher she became a leading member of the Transvaal United African Teachers' Association (Tuata).
It was not long before the Orlando Principals' Council School Sports League saw the immense contribution she was making to Tuata and decided to recruit her to share her expertise with them.
After serving her community for 41 years she decided to call it a day and retired from the demanding world of teaching.
Her retirement did not stop her from helping pupils who experienced problems with their school work.
She is survived by her husband, Senokwanyane Abraham Tau.
She will be buried today at the Lenasia Cemetery.
The service is scheduled to take place at the Orlando East Methodist Church from 8am.