Dear Joan
Joan, affectionately known to me as Mme, meaning mother in Sesotho you have been many things to me. You have been my mentor and a great one at that. You guided me, and like a selfless teacher you were always willing to share your wisdom, unreservedly. Not many people who are as blessed as you are are willing to share with the world. As a scholar you introduced me to the special field of indigenous and oral traditional knowledge, you opened my eyes to the wealth of knowledge in my culture, and today, I appreciate who I am and what my culture can do for my people. As a friend you have always had a good listening ear during my trials and tribulations, always keen to know how my boys and I were feeling or coping and always reminding me of the importance of family.
Joan, you taught me a lesson or two in academia – one being how to forge networks and collaborate with scholars in my field. I congratulate you Mme for touching the lives of many, and for touching mine in particular and in a special way. I congratulate you for an academic career well-lived and for work well done. Joan, please remember that wisemen and women never retire, so please continue to cast your luminous wisdom onto those who dare to listen and learn.
It was indeed a pleasure to have you in my life and to work with you!
Lots of love!
Mabokang
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| Joan with Mabokang (left), Diane Hill and a colleague from Canada at Lake on the Hill, Canada |
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