Zeid Baker

I have been an educator at South Peninsula High School for 37 years and its Principal since 2016. I completed a BSc and B.Ed Degree at UCT. My love for science teaching was nurtured by two great educators, the late Fred Coker and Brian Isaacs. Despite the initial paucity of resources, SP students at the school were always strongly encouraged to pursue science pathways and were entered in various co-curricular science programmes and events, one of which was Expo for Young Scientists. SP’s involvement started in 2004 where I served on the Regional Science Fair Committee. For 9 years I was Delegation Leader to the International Science Fair. 

I have a passion for sport and developed leadership qualities under the fold of WPSSSU and SACOS. Leading a performing school with a sound academic foundation built by previous principals, my current role is to build on this and to provide the current generation of SP students with a platform so that they may continue to educate themselves and become serving citizens in our developing country. The school is proud of its tertiary throughput rate and ties with UCT, UWC, CPUT and Stellenbosch University. 

It is an honour to be a trustee as my ties with the Moerat family go back over 40 years. I was a student at SPHS with Aadil and in the same house, Mimosa. Aadil’s father was Principal of the school at the time. 

Mr MN Moerat instilled discipline in us and I credit my years at SP as the main reason for my academic success and the career path that I followed. The school, under Mr Moerat’s leadership, prepared us politically for our future in a new South Africa. Aadil’s activism for a just and equal society, free of prejudice while at school, and during his tertiary studies and beyond are qualities that I admired. His decision to establish his surgery in Gugulethu, amongst the poor and needy, was noble and an example to all who believe in leading a life of service.

Our school motto is “Non ministrari, Sed ministrare” – not to be served, but to serve. Aadil was a true servant of humanity. His philosophy and strong values will always be remembered.