Each morning, teachers like Winnie Titi enter classrooms filled with promise – and uncertainty. For many South African educators, fear has become as familiar as chalk and textbooks. As the country observes Mental Health Month this October, it’s time to confront an often-overlooked crisis: the mental and emotional strain on those tasked with shaping our nation’s future.
Across South Africa, teachers are increasingly navigating school-based violence, bullying, substance abuse, and gang activity. A 2024 study by the University of the Free State found that exposure to such environments leads to long-term effects including anxiety, depression, and burnout. Yet, despite these conditions, countless teachers continue to show up every day – driven by passion, resilience, and a deep sense of responsibility to their learners.
One of them is Winnie Titi, a Cyril Ramaphosa Education Trust (CRET) alumna and dedicated educator at Ikusasa Comprehensive High School in Johannesburg. She teaches Life Sciences and English to Grades 10 and 11, while also serving as Secretary of the Disciplinary Committee and member of the School-Based Support Team (SBST) – roles that place her at the frontline of both learning and learner discipline.
“We do face problems like gang-related learners and substance use,” Winnie explains. “There was a time when a fight broke out between suspected gang members during school hours. It was a very tense moment for everyone involved.”
The Emotional Toll Behind the Chalkboard
Winnie’s daily reality includes managing complex behavioural issues while offering emotional support to learners, often without the protection of strong support systems. Living close to the school means her professional challenges often follow her home. After disciplinary incidents, threats from learners sometimes create ongoing anxiety and fear, leaving her constantly on edge.
Yet amidst these pressures, small acts of solidarity sustain her. Teachers at Ikusasa have started including teacher well-being in SBST discussions, checking in with one another after difficult days, and sharing coping strategies. Their principal encourages flexibility and understanding when staff feel overwhelmed – small but vital steps toward resilience.
What Needs to Change
Winnie believes systemic support is essential for real change.
She suggests:
- School-based counsellors for both learners and teachers
- Stronger security and accountability for threats and violence
- Mental health and trauma support workshops
- Systems that value and protect teachers, not just their output
“We are often expected to carry everything – teaching, discipline, emotional support, and admin – with very little protection,” she says.
Investing in Teacher Well-being
When teachers feel safe and supported, they can focus on what truly matters: teaching, mentoring, and inspiring the next generation. Their well-being directly influences the classroom environment and the learners they guide.
At CRET, we believe that investing in teacher well-being is investing in the strength of our education system. Alumni like Winnie remind us that compassion, courage, and community can still thrive in the face of fear – but they cannot do it alone.
This Mental Health Month and in the months ahead, let’s stand with our educators. Their safety, resilience, and well-being are not just professional necessities – they are the foundation of a healthy, hopeful South Africa.