True leaders act, they don’t talk. That’s why you won’t often hear Woeras Grobler blowing his own horn. This approach has enabled the tall, quiet man to make his mark in education in South Africa.
Mr Woeras Grobler (74) has recently retired after decades in education and later as the Northern Cape Manager of the Federation of Governing Bodies of South African Schools (FEDSAS). Throughout his career it has been his skill as a leader that set him apart. Not that he’ll be the one to tell you; no, you’ll have to speak to those who worked with him. “Woeras is a truly unique person whose mere presence demands respect,” says Dr Jaco Deacon, Deputy CEO of FEDSAS. The organisation’s CEO, Mr Paul Colditz agrees: “He is a man of few words, but with a lot of insight. He approaches each challenge by calmly observing and listening before making a decision. And these decisions are often spot-on, not only for that specific situation but often for broader application.”
It was growing up on a farm near Thaba Nchu in the Free State with his brother and sister that taught him to see the bigger picture and to understand how the parts fit together to form the whole. Just before going to school, the family moved to a farm near Hobhouse. “We are fortunate that this farm is still in our family. Whenever I get the opportunity I go there just to enjoy the freedom,” says Woeras.
After school, first at Hobhouse and later Hoërskool Sentraal in Bloemfontein, Woeras became a Kovsie studying for a BSc degree in Agriculture and later a Higher Education Diploma. “After completing my studies I immediately joined Welkom-Gimnasium. I can’t actually explain how I went from agriculture to education. It must have been pre-ordained.”
From Welkom Woeras joined his alma mater, Hoërskool Hobhouse, before returning to Welkom-Gimnasium. Other schools that had the privilege of the presence of Woeras Grobler are Staatspresident Swart at Brandfort, where he was a department head, Louw Wepener, where he gained his first experience as acting principal, and then Bloemspruit, his first formal position as principal. He eventually retired as principal of Hoërskool Dr Viljoen in Bloemfontein.
For Woeras school is more than just the hours that children spend at school. “Children are often from disadvantaged backgrounds. It has always been important for me that teachers support children emotionally and otherwise in order for them to get a fair chance in life.” His influence is clear from the fact that many former learners still look him up. “Usually I have to ask them to explain how I know them and at which school I taught them,” he laughs.
Fortunately for education Woeras’ retirement as principal did not mean the end of his involvement in the sector. In 2003 FEDSAS approached him to become this organisation’s manager in the Northern Cape. This was the start of his second career. “Thirteen wonderful years,” is how he describes it.
Of the Northern Cape he knew very little. “I didn’t know a single person, nor any of the schools or towns. But I was soon introduced to the famous Northern Cape hospitality. Today I have many good friends and confidants and it has been a privilege to work with them.”
Woeras says his work at FEDSAS has enabled him to grow as a person. “In fact I think I should have worked for FEDSAS before becoming a principal – imagine the difference I would have made!”
Education has changed a lot since Woeras’ first day as a young teacher. “In those days everything was structured and everybody knew what was expected of them. Today there is a lot more uncertainty and changes often take place without being defined properly beforehand.” This is where his ability to analyse a situation at the hand of the bigger picture comes in handy. His suggestions for current role-players in education include better basic skills for both teachers and learners. “This includes discipline. When a teacher knows how to conduct himself learners automatically respect his authority more.” Another challenge is the lack of support that schools receive from officials. “One sometimes gets the idea that officials are looking to find fault rather than to build the trust relationship between employer and employee. We can achieve so much more through cooperation.”
In the meantime Woeras can be reached at his home at Kenton-on-Sea. “It’s very nice!” is his short but sweet summary. Here he likes to do woodwork. He also makes sure he calls each of his four children and three grandchildren every Sunday evening. “If I call even just a little bit later than usual they will ask whether something is wrong!”
He also keeps up to date with what is happening in education. “I follow FEDSAS’ activities with great interest. What a privilege to be part of the FEDSAS family.”
