Growing Up Surrounded by Strength
I grew up in a home with two older brothers, so it was four men and a single female. Boy, but was she a matriarch of note. My mother was a schoolteacher in Zambia, and all three of us had our first years of schooling under her watchful eye. We had a small school on the farm called Bardi Prep, and many expat families sent their kids to my mom’s school. After a few years, my dad built some accommodation for children whose parents lived far from the school. If I remember correctly, the boarding house could accommodate about 20 kids. It was great for us boys, as we had friends around us day and night. Little did we know that a few years later, we would also be boarding 3,500 km from home.
A Born Teacher and Nurturer
My mother, Cecelia, was a born teacher and a nurturer. Her sense of compassion for the kids who came to the school was something that I had never seen before—and have never experienced again. She was a mother to so many children and made a difference in many people’s lives. When we were aged 11, 8, and 4, my parents decided to send us to school in Paarl, as my grandparents had moved to the Cape for health reasons. There was no boarding school when we arrived at Paarl Boys Primary, so we had to stay with friends before we went to high school. It was a brave move from my parents, as it could have backfired badly. They, however, did what was best for us and gave us a great opportunity at a great school.
A Mother’s Strength and Sacrifice
I have no doubt that this step absolutely broke my mother. Her three boys were 3,500 km away, and we only spoke every two weeks on the payphone (tickey box, for those of you who know what that means). She always put up a brave face and continued teaching at her school, and later at various private schools in and around Lusaka, Mazabuka, and Chisamba. The three things I will always remember about my mom were her soft heart—yet she always stood up for what was right. Her compassion for her students, family, and friends was off the charts. And her absolute dedication to us as her family. Nothing was ever too much, and she was like a lioness if anybody tried to harm us.
Her Legacy Lives On
My mom had been deceased for about seven years when I went back to Zambia for a function with the SA Rugby Legends. We had an audience of about 100 people one night and did a question-and-answer session after our panel discussion. I fielded so many questions about my mother that night. I went home with one thought in my mind: What are we here on Earth for? My mother left this world with a cupboard with a few clothes, a television, and some furniture—yet she made a massive difference in so many people’s lives. I had so many people come to me and tell me how my mom was the best teacher they ever had.
A Life That Gave
What difference are you making in people’s lives? Are we just taking and consuming, or are we creating, producing, and giving back? Thanks, Mom, for showing me the way in your very quiet, loving, and compassionate way.
GET IN TOUCH
If you would like to get in touch with me about my key note presentation, Debunking Motivation, please send an email to corne@cornekrige.com. Visit my website to review my speaker sheet for more info. I also share my story on my social media pages on Facebook and LinkedIn.