Sarah Mkhonza

Teaching English in Swaziland: Essays on the Life of Gordon James Thomas Sarah Mkhonza

The book, Teaching English in Swaziland: The Life and Days of Gordon Thomas is about Gordon the teacher and mentor. His life at Manzini Nazarene is one that all his students remember as filled with great moments of teaching and learning. In this book his ideas on teaching are written about in a semi-fictional manner that enables readers to think about their own teaching. The dedication he brought to the teaching task has been analyzed to bring out how he taught composition, poetry, drama and the novel. His students in the class of '74 called him "Chaucer." We thank York University and the Church of the Nazarene for making it possible for such a great teacher and thinker to "sow" into our lives. His students have grown to be professors, ministers, ambassadors and many other important careers that are serving the nation of Swaziland in wonderful ways. The life of a Christian teacher is something that can never be replaced in the lives of students. Gordon will be remembered in all the countries around the world where he worked for all that he gave. Gordon Thomas died of melanoma cancer in 2006.