Mathematical justification for a theory or concept
In the heart of rural South Africa, schools were often small and intimate, with one teacher responsible for multiple grades simultaneously. This was the case in a community where Prof Sauer, a native of the area, grew up.
During one English lesson, a young teacher asked the class about a sentence with six cows. An 18-year-old student named Jannie, who was well-versed in agricultural vocabulary due to the significant farming presence in the community, corrected the teacher, stating that there were five cows and one bull. This dynamic of peer interaction and practical language use was common in Afrikaans language teaching, especially in rural areas.
In February '09, Prof Sauer wrote an essay titled "From the Rubaiyat," responding to an enquiry by VDM publishing house about his doctoral thesis. This essay contained a quote from the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, a Persian poet, which emphasised the importance of accurately interpreting good deeds: "If I myself upon a looser Creed Have loosely strung the Jewel of Good deed, Let this one thing for my Atonement plead: That One for Two I never did mis-read."
Prof Sauer's essay also expressed his love for the Flux, a testament to his diverse interests and intellectual pursuits. His academic journey was not always easy; during his doctoral research, he often felt depressed and considered cancelling meetings with his supervisor. However, he persevered and made significant contributions to his field.
Outside the classroom, life in the rural community continued at its steady pace. One day, Mike, a local fisherman, returned home after an angling ordeal, looking sunburnt and exhausted. His wife exclaimed that he was red from the sun, to which Mike replied, "No darling! it's Mike! of the earth!" - a quote that encapsulated the connection between the community and the land they lived on.
While the specific story of Prof Sauer, Jannie, and the rural Afrikaner community school might not be found in historical records, it is a plausible narrative based on the cultural and educational practices of the time. The close-knit nature of rural communities, the emphasis on practical learning, and the love for language and literature continue to be reflected in contemporary Afrikaans education.
In his essay, Prof Sauer, a native of the rural South African community, highlights the importance of accurate interpretation, emphasizing its relevance not only in academic pursuits like his doctoral thesis but also in everyday life, such as learning about farm animals like the correction made by Jannie during an English lesson. The love for learning and self-development was evident in the community, extending beyond the classroom to include fields like health and education.
