Romilla Paulath Singh: a life dedicated to education and empowerment

AS A TEACHER Romilla Paulath Singh dedicated more than three decades to helping children with special educational needs, and now she is highlighting the impact of societal-ills through her poetry. 

Singh, 81, of Scottburgh, is among 46 people who have been honoured in the Unsung Heroes Publication Board’s newly-launched volume three of its book series, The Unsung Heroes. 

The book is aimed at honouring individuals who have transformed lives without seeking recognition or reward.

Singh, who was born on August 6 in 1943, spoke to the POST about her journey, which began while growing up in a close-knit "small village” in Umzinto.

Childhood

She said she lived in a wood-and-iron home with her father, Paulath, a petrol station manager, her mother, Rukmin, a housewife, and her three siblings.

“We lived a comfortable life and never lacked anything even though my father was the sole-breadwinner. I have some of the fondest childhood memories. We lived in a close-knit community. Everyone knew each other and all the children played together. We also used to attend every function at each other’s homes.”

Education 

At age 5 she started “baby class” (Grade R) at the then-Umzinto High School. 

“The school, which was state-aided, started from primary school and went up to matric. Back then, it was not common for girls to study up to matric. During my time, most girls finished school in Standard 8 (Grade 10). However, my father insisted that my siblings and I completed matric. He instilled the importance of education in us. At the time, I was the only girl in my matric class of 13 pupils.”  

She matriculated in 1960. 

Further studies

Singh thereafter pursued a two-year teaching diploma in primary school education at the Springfield Training College, and graduated in 1962. 

“During the apartheid era, we didn’t have many career options, girls either became nurses or teachers. I was not someone who could see people in pain, so I opted to study teaching. I also loved history, which I later majored in during my further studies. However, looking back, I have no regret choosing teaching as I loved my job.”

Career 

She said her first job was teaching a combined class, which comprised two rows of Standard 3 (Grade 5) and two rows of Standard 4 (Grade 6) pupils at Umzinto High School. 

“I returned to my alma mater and it was no easy task having to teach two different grades at the same time, but I coped well.”

She said shortly thereafter she took up a position at St Anne's, a Roman Catholic State-Aided Indian School in Umzinto. 

“I wanted to specialise in infant teaching, which is now known as the foundation phase. However, while at the school, I noticed there was a need for special attention to be given to children with learning difficulties. While there was attention given to them, it was not sufficient. So, I started investing more time in the children who required special attention. During this time, I also completed my Bachelor of Arts degree through the University of South Africa and thereafter did a remedial diploma. 

“Later on, I was transferred to St Francis Primary School in Park Rynie, and was given my own remedial class. It was based on a system where children who were identified as having a learning problem were sent to me. I dedicated more than 30 years of my teaching career to helping these children, and I am proud to say some of them went on to achieve great success, including becoming teachers and accountants, as well as one who became an architect.”

Singh was promoted to the  head of department for the foundation phase at Primrose Primary School in Isipingo Hills in 1994. 

At age 54, she took an early retirement in 1997. 

However, she continued to offer remedial education on a voluntary basis. 

“Parents reached out to me, for mainly English and maths classes. However, I used to take in one child at a time, and when I felt they would be able to cope on their own, I moved on to help the next child. I did this for many years. Just the other day, I met the mother of a young boy I helped and asked how he was doing. She said to me, ‘Mam, he just blossomed’. It filled my heart with joy to hear that.” 

Community service 

Over the years, Singh has played an active role in various organisations. 

She served as secretary of the Umzinto Child Welfare Society and as part of the Friends of the Sick Association between 1960 and 1970. 

“The primary concern of both organisations was to identify and assist needy families and patients who contracted Tuberculosis (TB). We raised funds through bazaars, received donations and collected clothes and groceries from local families who gave generously.

“I also initiated the formation of the Umzinto Women's Circle and personally drew up its Constitution. During those years few women belonged to the work force. With time on their hands, they taught each other skills such as dressmaking, knitting and flower arranging together with various other crafts. Their completed work was sold, and the money was donated to charitable organisations.” 

In addition, Singh joined Wonder Women, an international group aimed at empowering women, in 2012.

“Together with some other women from the community, we started the group, Wonder Women South Coast. We hosted regular seminars with qualified personnel such as social workers, police officers, bank consultants, nurses and beauticians. They addressed the local women on issues such as child care, spousal abuse and budgeting. 

“However, our dream was to open a shelter for abused mothers, so they could have a safe haven for themselves and their children. Many attempts were made to get the mayor at the time to help us as there were many vacant cottages owned by the eThekwini Municipality in the area, but we never received a response from them. We also did not have the funds and even though we tried raising money on our own, that dream came to an abrupt ending.” 

In addition, Singh, who has a passion for reading, started the Platinum Book Club. 

She also served as the chairperson of the Fellowship of Retired Teachers. 

Singh said she also joined the Scottburgh Hobbies Club as she loved embroidery.

“I remained with the club for several years as professionals were often invited to teach pottery, painting, beadwork and paper mache, among other arts and crafts. 

Family

Singh married Manilal Singh, a pharmacist.  He passed on in 2020. 

Traveller

She has visited five continents and a total of 60 countries. 

“My travels are centred around two aspects, the historical background and scenic value. I have visited India, Hong Kong, New York and Brazil. However, my best adventure has been trekking through the Amazon jungle. 

“I will not forget how the guide used a machete to cut through the bushes to make a path for us, but every few steps he would tell us not to touch a tree as there could be a poisonous spider or a venomous snake. I was also left in awe of the trees, which were so tall that they seemed to reach the sky. It was absolutely amazing and definitely the highlight of my travel experiences.”

Anthology

In celebration of her 80th birthday, Singh published her first anthology, Messages Through Poetry, in 2023. 

“My family and friends had been asking me for many years to publish my poetry. Due to the pressure I decided I would, but selected the poems that had a meaning and purpose behind it. I am an emotional writer, and whenever I am moved by something, I write about it. I remember when I was working with the women’s organisation, we went out to do a feeding programme for the homeless one evening. I saw this man with his dog. Here was someone who faced so many challenges but still cared so much for his dog and made sure it was fed. This moved me, so that night I wrote a poem on the homeless. 

“The overall essence of the poems in my book is to spread the message to as many readers as possible. People have to be constantly reminded about societal issues concerning gender violence, child abuse, war, dangers threatening the environment and the general lack of a moral ethos globally. However, I included a few light-hearted poems, or else it would be depressing for the reader,” she said.

Singh added she was not a commercial writer and had since given 200 copies to friends and family, as well as donated 100 copies to various high schools. 

She said due to the phenomenal response, her anthology was now available on ebook. Singh hoped to compile a book of true-life short stories in the future.  

“I have written about 12 short stories so far. However, I hope to complete at least 20 before I decide whether to have them published in a book.” 

Singh added that nowadays she enjoyed spending time in the garden, listening to music, reading, doing crosswords and occasionally meets her friends, with whom she formed the group, Feisty Seniors, to catch up over a cup of tea or meal.  

THE POST