Many give up in life after their first attempt at something. It is only a few that are able to pick themselves up and work towards their dreams. Romaldo Mbatha remains a hard worker and an inspiration to many.

After not passing his matric, due to mental and emotional health related factors. Romaldo did not give up. He went back to school and redid his matric which he persistently worked hard at and achieved pleasing results. It remains his own pride and a story he often looks back to. After passing his matric, Romaldo proceeded to study at University of Zululand towards Political Sciences but changed and studied Economics. This makes him a very knowledgeable and remarkable young man.

Romaldo decided to study to become a teacher at the University of KwaZulu-Natal because he was drawn to the career. Being someone who was used to talking in big crowds and singing. He was a man of the spotlight. Therefore teaching would give him the ability to be a facilitator at his early age. Romaldo says what he loves most about being a teacher is when he receives feedback and gratitude from his students of how easy he makes the subject. Though he feels that the admin work is what takes away much of the fun in the field.

Romaldo is so passionate about being a teacher, he gets excited each morning by the thought of teaching new concepts to students. His love for his job is driven by the dreams he wants to see being fulfilled by his learners. For him, knowing that if one of hjss students becomes an entrepreneur tomorrow, he would have played a role in educating them and shaping them. Currently Romaldo holds a title of 100% pass rate in the subjects he teaches. This goes to show his love for his job. It’s interesting because growing up Romaldo wanted to become a nurse, as the idea of caring for elderly people who are ill. Brings him happiness.

Romaldo being someone who understands how it feels to not do well in your matric final year. Strives to constantly inspire his students to work as hard as they can. Which in turn, the students end up being encouraged. Many of his students often relate to him, as a young teacher coming from humble beginnings and they are able to open up and share their life stories and hardships with him. He serves as an inspiration to them and a role model as he continues to strive and aim for better heights.

It is not always glitter and gold. As a young male teacher in a female dominated field. Romaldo often faces the challenge of being not being respected and given his place as an equally qualified teacher. Another challenge he faces is how teaching is generally looked down upon in South Africa. Romaldo hopes for society to be more educated on the contribution teachers make towards society. Rather than what they are usually associated with or called as people of average class.

In Romaldo’s few years as a teacher he feels he hasn’t yet made much of a contribution towards the South African education system which needs more than just an old approach and the redundancy which is not relevant to the current demands. Though I feel he may not have made any tangible contributions but his impact on the students, is far more important than a contribution of any other form.

Romaldo wishes for every child who aspires to become a teacher like him to pursue it and focus on the passion more than the challenges because they will be challenges along the way and with courage they will make it through.