On Monday, Thandiwe wakes up before her mother and prepares for her first day at Siyakhula Primary School. She wakes her mother up, pours water into the kettle, and switches it on so she can also take a bath. Thandiwe carries her handbag and leaves for Siyakhula.

Thandiwe arrives at Siyakhula just in time, before the morning prayer. Principal Jobela sees Thandiwe and waves at her to join other teachers behind him in the school hall.

Principal Jobela is wearing a well-ironed shirt and trousers. Instead of a tie, he’s wearing a white collar. He is also a respected pastor whose sermons touch people’s hearts. Some even claim to find healing in his prayers when they feel sick. At Siyakhula, Principal Jobela is the one in charge of the morning prayers.

The learners stand in lines according to the grades and classrooms they are in. Principal Jobela asks a young girl in the Grade 6 line to sing before he prays. The girl sings with a beautiful voice and other learners join in. Principal Jobela raises his hand and the hall is quiet.

“Close your eyes so we can pray,” says Principal Jobela, and prays.

Thandiwe slightly opens her eyes and notices everyone has their eyes closed except one of the teachers. Principal Jobela asks Thandiwe to stand next to him after the prayer.

“This is Miss Velani, my children. She will teach Grade 5 maths. Please, treat her well. Do you promise?” the principal says to the learners.

“Yes! Principal,” learners shout all together.

Principal Jobela gives permission to the learners to go to their classrooms and asks the teachers to start at the staff room. The principal asks all the teachers to introduce themselves to Thandiwe. She learns that the teacher who didn’t close her eyes during the prayer is Miss Sonjana.

Miss Sonjana hardly looks at the principal and doesn’t show much interest when she introduces herself. She also doesn’t seem to interact much with other teachers. Principal Jobela releases the teachers so they can go to their classrooms and shows Thandiwe hers. Thandiwe’s classroom is next to Miss Sonjana’s.

“So…Miss Velani, tell me. Where did you teach before here?” Miss Sonjana asks Thandiwe on the way to their classes. She makes eye contact briefly, though hers is a poker face.

“Ehm…this is my first teaching job,” Thandiwe says.

“I see. Jobela still prefers beauty over experience. Well, here’s my class,” Miss Sonjana says.

Miss Sonjana’s words halt Thandiwe’s heart for a moment. She is lost for words as she watches Miss Sonjana enter her classroom and greet her learners with joy.

During lunch, Principal Jobela asks Thandiwe to come to his office after school.

“Relax, Miss Velani. I simply want to know how your first day went?” Principal Jobela says, after Thandiwe sits in his office after school. He is leaning on his chair with his arms resting on his belly.

“It was good, Principal. The learners behaved,” Thandiwe says.

“That’s good to hear. What about other teachers? Did any of them bother you?” the principal asks.

“No, Principal. I’d be lying,” Thandiwe says.

“Are you sure? Even the young men are not courting you? Feel free when talking to me, Miss Velani. I know I hired a beautiful lady that could make other teachers go crazy,” Principal Jobela says. He gently shifts his eyes from her face to her chest.

“No, Principal,” Thandiwe says. This conversation makes her feel uncomfortable.

“No what?” Principal Jobela says. Thandiwe senses annoyance in his voice.

“No teacher is courting me,” Thandiwe says, looking down.

“OK, Thandi. You don’t mind me calling you Thandi when we’re alone, right?” Principal Jobela says. He leans on the table with his elbows and stares Thandiwe in the eyes with a smile.

“No, Principal,” Thandiwe says, avoiding eye contact.

Tell us: Have you ever had someone make you uncomfortable like this? What advice would you give to Thandiwe in this situation?