My Recipe: Turning Negatives into Positives

Just four months ago I arrived at school on the first day of the new school year!  I was in matric and my final year at Southern Cross Schools lay before me.

Excitement,adrenaline and anxiety all bubbled inside me as I contemplated the year ahead.  There were many challenges, hard work and adventures to be experienced such as prelims, sport, the matric dance, my duties as Vice Head, final exams and applying for university.  I had mapped my year out and was ready to take it head on.  I knew what to expect and what I wanted!

Bang!I woke up to a stark reality that nothing in life is a given.

Covid-19 made its appearance out of nowhere.  It torpedoed my happy boat and all of a sudden we were all grasping for life jackets.  For the past 8 weeks I, like everyone else, have been confined to my home by this invisible predator… and the scariest is we don’t know what the future holds.

I have tried my best to stay positive and make the most of the situation.  Living at Kings Camp all my life, I feel blessed to be surrounded by beautiful nature during lockdown.  The time at home has given me the opportunity to explore my passion of wildlife photography to the fullest, and enhance my skills by being out in the field and following photographic webinars online.  My work has been noticed online by other wildlife photographers around the world and am humbled by the support and      praise I have received.  Recently, Kevin Petersen, the well-known cricketer, asked me if I would be his resident photographer for his SORAI (Save our Rhinos Africa and India) campaign to save our rhinos and manage his online Instagram page, @SORAI.  Wow, I get to share my passion of photography and at the same time, spread the word of protecting our beautiful rhinos and wildlife.

Assad as I am about my matric year, I need to sit back and see the positive energy that has been sent my way and embrace these new experiences that four months ago I would never have considered.  What do they say … As one door closes, another opens!

I want to thank Mr Viegas and my wonderful teachers for the academic online teaching and support they continue to give all the learners at Southern Cross Schools – no matter how young or old – they are there when we need help.  Without these unsung heroes, my year would be in tatters.  I humbly thank them.

I miss my friends, I miss all the faces around school.  I miss the comradery in assembly and I miss the chats at break time.  I can’t wait to see you all again soon - in our beautiful school where my blessings will continue.  There is no other school like it.

Cathan Moore

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