Fair warning: this one will grab your heartstrings! Nearly 40 years after recognising her talent with a primary school award, a beloved teacher surprised Algoa FM host Lee Duru with a cherished throwback photo and a heartfelt handwritten note, bringing her broadcasting journey full circle.
Gqeberha, South Africa (03 August 2026) – Earlier this week, Good Things Guy shared a heartwarming story about a principal who made a lasting impact on one of his learners.
In this feature, we’re in a puddle of mush over a teacher who never forgot the talent and potential of a learner in his Standard 3 (Grade 5) class, even years after she had gone on to make a name for herself.
The beautiful moment unfolded unexpectedly during the Algoa FM Breakfast show this week when 12-year-old Ian du Plessis arrived at the studio to collect a prize he won in a recent car drawing competition held by the radio station.
Before Ian left, he had a surprise of his own for one of the show hosts, Lee Duru.
Ian presented Lee with what looked like an ordinary card. However, it turned out to be a photograph of her as a little girl in her St Joseph’s school uniform, taken nearly 40 years ago!
On the back of the photo was a handwritten note from her Std 3 teacher, Mr Graham Rudd. The same teacher who awarded her ‘Tip Top News Reader of the Year’ back in primary school.
He clearly saw early on that she had what it took to be a broadcaster, as Lee now makes her living behind the microphone.
Lee hadn’t seen Mr Rudd since leaving St Joseph’s and had no idea he had kept the photograph all these years. A video taken during the show captured a very emotional Lee in disbelief at the sweet gesture. Wiping away tears, she shared how the teacher predicted her entire career.
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Mr Rudd now teaches at Ian’s school, Laerskool Mount Pleasant Primary School, and, knowing Ian was coming to the studio, entrusted him with a gift that became far more than just an old photograph.
The moment was real, raw and just beautiful!
As Algoa FM best put it:
“It was also a reminder of where a journey began, of a teacher who recognised something in a young girl long before she could have imagined where that journey would lead, and of how the smallest moments or acts of encouragement can shape who we become. Sometimes life has a remarkable way of bringing things full circle.”
Sources: Algoa FM Breakfast
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