Here are my answers to this week’s SWY from DI
What colour was your school uniform (if you had one)?
Absolutely—government schools in South Africa have always required students to wear uniforms, and we wore ours with pride. I began school in the late 1950s and completed my education in 1970. While the style of the uniform evolved over time, the signature colour remained consistent.
During summer, girls wore a red tunic layered over a short-sleeved white shirt, paired with a red cardigan and red blazer. Footwear consisted of black lace-up shoes or Mary-Janes with white ankle socks. Topping it off was the mandatory white Panama hat, secured with an elastic under the chin to prevent it from blowing away. A red headband featuring the school badge completed the look.
Boys wore grey shorts with a white open-neck shirt and a cap, which they were expected to raise when greeting adults. Their uniform also included a red V-neck pullover and a red blazer.
In winter, boys continued wearing grey shorts, but switched to long-sleeved shirts and added red-and-white striped ties.
Girls’ winter attire featured navy blue tunics with a red girdle over a long-sleeved white shirt, complemented by a school tie. We wore long grey socks with either Mary-Jane buckle shoes or lace-ups, and our winter hats were made of felt.
By the end of primary school, the uniform transitioned to a cotton red-and-white check dress for summer, and a grey skirt for winter.
The school attended by my grandsons and where I taught for a few years had a sensible, child-friendly uniform – shorts and a golf shirt for both boys and girls, a white golf shirt for smart occasions, navy for everyday wear, and a red t-shirt for sports. Track suits for winter. Footwear: flip-flops, Crocs, or sneakers. If so desired, you could even come barefoot!
When working, did you have to wear a uniform or dress colour code?
As a teacher, I didn’t wear a uniform, but there was definitely a clear dress code. Back in college, the rules were quite strict—open-backed shoes were off-limits during summer, though slingbacks were permitted. In winter, stockings were mandatory, and trousers were completely forbidden.
I was stunned when my daughter went off to college wearing shorts—it was such a contrast to what I had known! In the early years of my teaching career, the idea of wearing trousers to school was merely a dream. Eventually, trouser suits became acceptable, and by the time I retired, even denim was allowed.
What is your favourite colour to wear?
Red is my favourite colour.
I would always go dinner-dancing with my hubby in a red outfit. Our song is, “Lady in Red!”
The fact that my school colour was red has nothing to do with this choice! I didn’t much like red as a child.
What colour would you never wear unless there was no alternative?
Ever since I was a child, I disliked wearing green but I will wear it on the odd occasion now.
Gratitude
Looking back on the years in which I grew up with rules, dress codes and pride in your appearance, I am grateful for the values I learned. I also appreciate that times change and rules evolve accordingly. During my teaching career I had to adapt to the different approaches to learning, discipline and teaching creatively. I loved it all and am grateful that many of the new approaches have saved children who learn ‘differently’ from having a miserable school career.
Adventuring into Retirement 