“’BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD.’ Those are the words of my hero, my role model. A man who believed that kindness and love had more power to change the world than money. A simple man who saw no boundaries between the rich and the poor, who was not limited by poverty or social standards to reach his goals. My hero, Mahatma Ghandi.”

Nozuko spoke the words with conviction in front of her class. Delivering a powerful presentation on the assignment they were given a month ago. It was titled MY HERO and the students had to research and write an essay about the people they looked up to and on whose footsteps they wanted to walk. Half the class wrote about Tata Madiba, others about comrade Steve Biko, but none ventured out of the box like Nozuko. The class listened intently as she spoke about what Ghandi did to impact change on people’s lives, to bring hope to the poor and give direction to those who were otherwise lost. Everybody was interested in what she was saying, especially Mr Mazibuko the grade 12 English teacher. He was looking at her with awe and admiration, but there was also something dark and sinister in the way he looked at her.

“So in conclusion, if you want to see cleaner streets and neighbourhoods don’t throw garbage on the road, do not litter. If you want safer streets and neighbourhoods do not go robbing people and participating in gangs. If you want to see your fellow people empowered, then start reading books that empower your mind and give you strategies to build so you can empower those around you. So go out there today, and be the change you want to see in the world.”

The applause was deafening, the whole class stood up and gave a standing ovation. Mr Mazibuko was clapping the most, like a small child at a clown performance. He had saved the best for last. His top student had once again made him proud, made him remember why he became a teacher in the first place.

“Bravo! Bravo!” he was on his feet clapping hard and grinning from ear to ear. It was all he could do, save from throwing himself at her and squeezing her hard. Nozie took a bow and went to her sit, giving high fives and hugs to her fellow classmates as she went by.

“Settle down boys and girls, settle down now please.” Just like the rest of the class, Mr Mazibuko was finding it difficult to contain himself; he was excited in every way. Eventually the whistling died down, and the applause ceased and he could now speak and give his final instructions before the end of class. “Well done Miss Dlamini that is what I call a presentation. As for the rest of you, you heard what the lady said. So go out there and start being that change this weekend. Now for your homework…”

The class erupted in a boo of objections cutting him in mid-speech. Nobody liked getting homework on a Friday and if Jabu, the class rascal had his way, they were not going to get it.

“Sir, in the words of a wise man I know, we heard what the lady said and our one and only homework this weekend is to just BE the change we want to see in our community. You can’t expect us to do more,” Jabu said.

The class cheered in agreement. Jabu had plans for the weekend, a big party with lots of beautiful girls he had to mack on and homework was not part of his to do list.

“Well said, Mr Radebe, well said. Now if you used your brain half the time for useful things like studying and doing your school work you would get straight A’s like Ms Dlamini. Now homework, get a partner, revise any of the poems we’re doing in the syllabus and you and your partner will explain to the rest of the class what the poem means. Enjoy your weekend ladies and gentlemen. Miss Dlamini, may I have a quick word with you please.”

On that note the bell rang and school was out. The learners went out in a rush talking about Jabu’s big party, what they would wear and what a big party it was going to be. But Nozie stayed behind.