Give this social worker a medal

LACK of resources, funding and manpower, unbearable caseloads, poor remuneration and little job satisfaction, are realities for the majority of government and NGO employees, trying to keep afloat.

Policemen, teachers, prosecutors, paramedics, nurses, doctors, social workers and all rendering essential services, are in the same boat, rowing upstream and sharing a broken paddle or two.

Some use this as an excuse to sit back, fold their arms, complain, treat those they are supposed to serve with contempt, and shout: ‘I’m not rowing because the hole is on your side’.

Never mind that all are sinking.

Many other government employees are highly skilled and qualified and would be far better off in the private sector, but they choose to stay put, because they know if they get out, the rest will drown.

Their work is their calling and they have a higher purpose, which cannot be measured in money or personal comfort.

They make many personal sacrifices, because they realise lives are at stake.

This month, such a person, an isiZulu-speaking social worker with a broken car and scant resources, kept on rowing his rescue boat, because he knew he was carrying precious cargo – two children who were literally living in the bush.

His efforts led to the safe and secure placement of the young siblings, who might have faced a horrible fate, had it not been for his bravery.

Today, let’s hoist our flag, for the heroes who will never break a record, or become superstars with mansions and sports cars.

Your value cannot be measured in earthly terms.