About Thami

Born in a rural area called Mpumuza (Pietermaritzburg-South Africa), a son of Alosia Makhathini and David Vela Basi.. Attended my primary education at Bkekizizwe Combined school from 1980-1987. Thereafter from 1988 to 1990, did my secondary education at Insika Secondary School. In 1991 moved to Umsinga as there was high level of violence in KwaMpumuza. My mother decided that I go to do my high school at Somashi for standard 9 and 10.

I passed my grade 12 with B in Mathematics. In 1993, registered at Indumiso College of Education for Secondary Teachers Diploma (Technical), where my major subjects were Mathematics and Motor Trade Theory. Finished my Diploma in 1995 and passed Mathematics and Mathematics Didactics with distinctions.

In 1996, I went to Umsinga-Greytown area to work there. I was employed as Mathematics educator for grades 8-12. I also taught Economics as there was no teacher for almost a year in grade 11. One of my best students got A in Mathemtics and I was very proud of that.

In 1997, I continued with my studies on a part time basis at Natal College of Education. I was doing Further Diploma in Education (Computer Literary). I passed the diploma in 1999 with distinction in Compuer practicals. In the year 2000, I was promoted to become the Head of Department at Busana High School still around Grytown. I introduced Computer Studies as an examinable subject at grade 10 and continued up to grade 12. In 2002, there were 12 students that registered externation examination for Computer studies and they all passed it. I was vey proud and entthusisstic with ICT at that stage. I connected myself with Hilton college in 2002 and thrrough the Vula Pragramme managed to get involved in a lot of Computer training courses.

While the above challenges were on, in the year 2000, I registered for Bachelor of Education (Leadership in Mathematics and Science Edcuation) through the University of Natal. I did this honours degree on a part-time basis and it was very difficult as some of the assignments were to be typed and submitted on line. Since then, I realised the power of the Internet and never stopped using it and now one of the gurus in internet computing.

In 2004, I was moved to a school in Dalton where my expertise were needed, but circumstances made me to look for a post in or around Pietermaritzburg. I got the post in Howick at Mpophomeni High School, still as a head of department. The interesting thing is that, I was actully on the verge of completing my Masters degree, but did not as there were challenges with my focus of the thesis. I managed to get directed in the year 2006.

In 2007, I was nominated and won the Aggrey Klaaste Mathematics, Science and Technology Educator of the Year. I won a 20 computers from Telkom Foundation and Sowetan. These computers were installed and networked at the school. I felt honored to recieve such a price for the poor community at Mpophomeni Township. This award was at KwaZulu-Natal Provincial level and hence I qualified to represent the province at the national level. I was thrilled to here that I also won at a highly contested level where all provinces were resperesented. The panel of experts there was educational practioners from schools, colleges, universities and even government representatives. I won the Further Edcuation and Training category and received a price of science kits for the school laboratory. I also granted the life time membership of the Association for Mathematics Edcuators of South Africa (AMESA). This was the great year as I manged to complete my masters in Mathematics education with distinction in my thesis.

The above accolades opened doors for me to nationally interviewed at SAFm and covered by the press at local and national newspapers. I was overwherlmed with the support and appreciation of the work from the friends and family, especially my wife Zandi Makhathini. She was the main sourse of inspiration to all my achievements. Not forgetting the support and encouragement I recieved from Pietermaritzburg Maths and Science Teachers Association (PIMSTA). This association has developed me professionally and educationally. As a result I am now holding an executinve position at national body Association for Science Educators of South Africa. The possition I hold there is that of a Public Realtions Officer (PRO).