The Professional Educators ‘ Union bids farewell to one of her longest served member of staff, Mrs Matshidiso Lizzy Tshabalala, who was stationed at the Headquarters in Braamfontein, Johannesburg.

Mama Tshidi, as she is commonly and affectionately known in PEU circles, is the first full time employee of the Union, dating back from July 1984, during the heydays of the Transvaal United African Teachers Association (TUATA), to date, as she retires from her employment as Senior Administrator for the Union.

For and on behalf of PEU Management, Members of National Executive Committee, the Staff and the entire membership, I seize this opportunity, to express our profound appreciation, for the remarkably excellence and unbroken thirty- four (34) years of service, rendered to the Union and her membership collective.

Tshidi will always be remembered and solely missed for her unparalleled passion in the Union, work ethics, diligence and perseverance in any peace of work accorded with.

Throughout her years of service, she contributed immensely in building and growing the Union. She always endeavored and aspired that PEU becomes a force to be reckoned with and the voice of reason in education.

As General Secretary of the Union, her departure is indeed a telling moment for me, as I feel personally indebted to her unwavering support and positive contribution made to my development and capacity as a leader.

She has been a pillar of strength and an anchor to each of our National Office Bearers, past and present, as we always looked upon her, as she was ideally placed to provide answers, due to her unqualified organizational memory.

She really run her race and did so with shear precision, zeal and aplomb, in ensuring that the Union rans within the realm of her core values of professionalism and political non-alignment, which have been our pillars of survival and relevance.

As she enters the world of senior citizens, PEU can only wish her a clean bill of health and a progressive life. Fare thee well Mama Tshidi .