“In Circles and Systems, We Grew”
By Thabiso Kunene
In the heart of care, where small hands grow,
You held the space where courage flows.
Belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity.
The Circle of Courage you lived it with tenacity.
To the childcare team, with hearts so wide,
You stood where laughter and learning collide.
In every game, in every tear,
You built foundations strong and clear.
Belonging bloomed in every hug,
Mastery nurtured in every tug of shoelaces tied, and puzzles done.
You made sure every child felt like someone.
To the manager, whose vision steered,
Through challenges faced and doubts we cleared.
You held the helm with gentle grace,
Creating safety in this sacred place.
Maslow’s needs, from base to peak,
Were honoured every single week.
From food and warmth to love and light,
You made each day feel safe and right.
To the social workers, soul-deep and wise,
You saw the storms behind young eyes.
In ecosystems Bronfenbrenner taught,
You touched the systems, changed the thought.
Microsystems rich with care,
Mesosystems shaped with flair
Your hands reached wide, your hearts reached deep,
You planted hope for those who weep.
And to the director, holding space,
For growth, for structure, and for grace
You saw the forest and the tree,
And led with quiet dignity.
Each policy, each plan, each chart
Was anchored in the human heart.
You stitched the threads that hold us tight,
In morning calm and restless night.
Now as I journey, onward bound,
To new frontiers, new fertile ground
I carry with me all you gave:
The ways you taught me to be brave.
The courage, care, and dreams you spun,
Will guide me now to what’s begun.
So here’s my thanks, not in goodbye,
But in a promise, soul to sky:
That what we’ve built will still extend,
In every child, in every friend.