Tributes have poured in since the passing of John Goodman. Goodman was one of the first educators to be appointed at the Welkom Secondary School, and proceeded to gain the respect of the community.
Goodman and his familiy relocated from Zastron to Welkom where his father, Lodewyk Goodman, served as a first generation principal at the Bronville Primary School. In 1981 Goodman began his teaching career at the Bronville Primary School, and later taught at the newly built Welkom Secondary School as one of its first educators.
He later served as principal at the Golden Park Primary School from 1993 until his retirement in 2009.
Goodman was known to be selfless, and believed in developing learners and the broader community members to their full potential.
He mentored many in athletics, karate, and drama. Some of them participated in national and international championships, and from out of these the notable Zarck Visser sprang forth.
Goodman also played an active role in the church. In 1984 he served as a deacon at the lifestyle centre of the United Reformed Church (URC). In 2015 he founded his own prayer group called “As die biduurklokke lui” with his family which expanded to include everyone in the community who loved God and to those who were in pursuit of God. Another prayer group had also been established in Kuruman.
Along with other men in the community, he started the Ocean Sounds men’s choir where they travelled to different cities.
He also dramatised the show Heaven’s gates and Hell’s flames, a very impactful and successful show that left audiences in a tearful state.
Still driven to education, he ran his own Maths academy to empower learners in mastering Mathematics.
“Mr Goodman was deemed a very respectful, indestructible, trustworthy, proficient anchor, and pioneer in the community whose successes can be seen in the lives of multiple professionals whom he shaped as disciplined individuals. May his legacy of selflessness always live forth in us as a community,” says Pamela, Goodman’s widow.
