Written by a 2008 Alumnus.

 ''Thuto Tsela'' is the motto, and it means ''learning is the way'' - sure explains a lot about the journey I'm still on.

Being a Broadhurst Primary student or ''Broadhurstrian'', as I think they should be called, is a colourful experience that transforms a pupil into a student - you go from being guided by someone to seeking for yourself. You understand the principles & values of discipline that help build up the character of integrity we admire in the best of us.

But you also start off as a young person who needs a place to learn and play.

13 years after fact, and I'm among the few who carry the honour of walking the colourfully painted corridors in the friendly neighbourhood - the Library and its page-turners sharing an open plan space furnished by bean bags and a classic VCR player with the Computer Lab. I barely remember but I think we just called that place ''computers'' and it was colloquial for, wouldn't you know it, where you'd find the school's computers.

Our structure operated like any other: there were the juniors who became seniors standard were given the privilege to contribute to their own juniors, achieving new ranks with each year. Speaking fluent English is a grace I'll carry with me forever, but it wouldn't have meant anything if I didn't take part in our reading programme when I was in Standard 7. I met a young lad in Standard 2, became part of something bigger than myself because of it and managed to do more than just pass a test but actually make my gift count for something - wish I could tell you we shared a lifetime's worth of memories and I know where he is, but the best I can offer you is that I trust he's doing well.

The common-grounds for every class were the Pavilion, the Courts & the Pool - being a winner during a school sport was making a statement to the rest of the school. It was a claim to fame that bordered the realm of heroism and only the elect could accomplish.

Too bad the story you're reading isn't written by one of the elect, I was never particularly spectacular at anything. At least, in my view. But I play back the memories in times of great stress and always come to the conclusion that those days were iconic and need a second run.

Every space of life is sacred, from the highs & the lows to the memorable & mundane. You experience things and when they end, you gain the privilege of hindsight to play those memories back in celebration of the lifelong lessons learned.

The unparalleled beauty is that all those things eventually come to an end, it makes everything so much more real. Life becomes this lucky packet of experiences that can't possibly be recreated a second time. Sure, you can get close enough but it'll never be exactly the same.

But that's okay.

Perhaps the greatest lesson I've been learning for 2 decades is that it's okay for things to change and eventually end. The innocence of a transient moment coming in all its wonder and leaving us only to exist in each of our subjective viewpoints, I think, is a wonderful aspect of reality that makes all of our journeys so marvellous.

Someone is a student reading this, someone else a teacher, a parent or any varying degree of anything out there and this moment we're all having here and now is one of a kind. This version of you is one of a kind. 

So what I'm saying, if I'm saying anything, is be present. Give yourself the wholeness of being where you are. 

But no matter where we are, we can posture ourselves with either hope or gratitude and I'll prove it - how does the phrase ''this doesn't last forever'' make you feel? Depending on where you're from, you'll either find the strength to endure right now, or the stillness to enjoy right now.

Grace & peace.

Coolest regards,

Kago Modise 🕸