Donnè Julie may not have always known where life would take him as a young boy, but his Grade 1 teacher had a significant impact from early on, nurturing the confidence that he was capable and destined to achieve his wildest dreams.
Durban, South Africa (12 March 2026) – When Donnè Julie started “big school”, a number of thoughts and feelings may have been going through his young, curious mind. Nerves and curiosity were met with a nurturing touch by his Grade 1 teacher, who left an impact that stayed with him.
While he may not remember every lesson from that year, the feeling Mrs J Gabin of Assegai Primary School created has lasted a lifetime.
Reflecting on the journey, Donnè shared that if there was one teacher who had the greatest impact early on, it was her.
Mrs J Gabin instilled confidence in him before he even knew what confidence meant. She treated every small effort as important and helped him believe that if he put his heart into his work, he could achieve anything. At just six years old, she planted the powerful seed that he was capable and destined to achieve great things.
Over the years, Donnè did more than just excel; after serving as Head Boy in 2014, he went on to become a qualified doctor practising at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital.
Today, he stands proudly as “Dr Julie” and looks back with gratitude, recognising that those early words of encouragement helped shape the person he has become.
Just as proud of his accomplishments is the school where his foundation was laid.
“We are incredibly proud to celebrate one of our former learners, Dr Donnè Julie, who served as Headboy in 2014 and is now making a difference in the medical field. Stories like this remind us how powerful the influence of a teacher can be. The seeds planted in our classrooms today can grow into incredible futures tomorrow,” Assegai Primary School shared.
“Congratulations, Dr Donnè Julie! Your APS family is proud of you.”
From crayons to stethoscopes, it’s amazing how encouragement from decades ago can positively contribute to a person’s entire life.
His success is more than just a source of pride for his alma mater and community; it is a touching testament to how a dedicated teacher and an encouraging environment can inspire a young person to dream big and make those dreams a reality.
Sources: Assegai Primary School
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