On the 10th of April 2025, I had an interview with Rustenburg’s new deputy principal, Mr Ryklieff, who has joined our Rustenburg family this term. He is married with 2 sons, both of whom are in university, and he has 2 dogs, Luna and Bailey.
Mr Ryklieff has been teaching for 30 years but has never taught at an all-girls’ school. Prior to joining Rustenburg, he had been teaching at Camps Bay Primary, and in his earlier career, he taught at a school in Hanover Park, where he experienced teaching the less fortunate and children who come from challenging backgrounds in the townships.
He experienced one of his most fond moments in teaching during this time when he got to take kids from Hanover Park overseas to the UK. They had to raise money, do their paperwork, get Visas, plane tickets, and get taught how to pack a bag. It was amazing to see this experience from the kids’ view during an opportunity of a lifetime.
Mr Ryklieff has been to many schools, but he says Rustenburg has welcomed him with open arms, and he feels like he already belongs.
By Gemma Frankish
