Delivered by the SayPro Chief Legal Officer– Neftaly Malatjie
May 6, 2025
Good day, colleagues, partners, and most importantly — our dedicated educators,
As the Chief Legal Officer of SayPro, my daily work is rooted in policy, ethics, governance, and ensuring that the rights of every individual within our ecosystem are protected and upheld. But today, on Teacher Appreciation Week 2025, I am reminded of something far deeper than regulation — I am reminded of responsibility. And no one shoulders greater responsibility, or fulfils it with more grace, than our teachers.
At SayPro, we hold ourselves to the highest standards of integrity, accountability, and justice. And when we speak about fairness and access, we must also speak about those who ensure it every single day — the teachers who open doors, level the playing field, and champion the rights of learners through their daily actions.
Every lesson you teach is an act of empowerment.
Every student you support is a life steered toward dignity and opportunity.
And every boundary you break in the name of inclusion strengthens the legal and ethical foundation of our mission.
Teachers are not only educators — you are protectors of dreams, defenders of equity, and advocates of human potential. You make real what so many of our laws and policies aspire to ensure: equal opportunity, freedom through knowledge, and the right to be seen and heard.
This week, we celebrate you not only for what you teach, but for how you lead — with courage, compassion, and a deep commitment to justice.
At SayPro, we are working to ensure that teachers are supported not just in words, but in practice — with safe working environments, access to legal support, ethical workplace protections, and fair policies that honour your time, voice, and value.
To every SayPro teacher, facilitator, and mentor across our programmes:
- Thank you for standing up — for learners and for principles.
- Thank you for modelling integrity every day.
- Thank you for making the right thing possible — not just the easy thing.
On behalf of the Legal Affairs Division and the entire SayPro leadership team, I say with sincere respect and appreciation:
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week 2025.
You uphold not just the mission — but the very values that make SayPro what it is.
Thank you for your service, your spirit, and your unwavering commitment to what is right.
Thank you.
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