Ridwan Samodien’s gentle demeanour and wise eyes convey a life rich with experiences. As he recounts pivotal moments in his life, it becomes clear that his story is woven with threads of resilience, activism and an unwavering commitment to justice and equality
“1976 happened when I was in matric,” Samodien begins, his voice steady with memory.
“I was part of the boycotts, boycotting our September exam. We went to Cape Town to protest, only to be chased by the police. It was my small contribution.”
These early experiences of activism in apartheid-era South Africa profoundly shaped Samodien’s outlook on education and social change. His passion for education as a tool for empowerment was fuelled by these formative years. Samodien’s father, a pragmatist, also had a significant influence on him.
“He said to me, ‘I’ve got eight children; I can’t buy all of you houses. So you, my children, will have to become teachers; the government will subsidise your houses,’’ Samodien says, recalling his father’s practical wisdom in navigating apartheid’s injustices.
Initially, Samodien intended to pursue law, but because his father did not want him to study at the University of the Western Cape due to the anti-apartheid protests, he went to Hewitt College. His father thought that Hewitt College students would not be too involved in these protests, but unsurprisingly they were. The slogan ‘Liberation before Education’ became a rallying cry for students like Samodien, who found themselves deeply involved in the struggle against apartheid that shaped their identities and futures.
Samodien was a little resentful because he felt ‘’forced’’ to become a teacher, but stepping into this role actually shifted his perspective.
“Once I qualified and stepped into my own class, I fell in love with teaching,” Samodien admits.
“All that resentment fell away, and it was replaced by immense respect and love for my father’s foresight.”
His teaching career began in 1980, spanning 43 years and various roles. From art teacher to school principal, each position was marked by personal growth and the building of resilience. His transition to school leadership was unexpected. At the time, Samodien was the most senior staff member at Kannemeyer Primary School, having stepped up after the sudden departure of the previous principal. He embraced the role with a deep-rooted desire to challenge South Africa’s inequalities in education.
About 14 years ago, Samodien, a self-described ‘’shy’’ leader, embarked on a unique leadership development journey with Citizen Leader Lab that would transform his principalship. This globally recognised Public Benefit Organisation develops and strengthens the capacity of leaders in the private and public sectors. On Citizen Leader Lab’s school leadership programme, Leaders for Education, Samodien enhanced his ability to lead, and this positively impacted the school’s infrastructure, its teachers and learners and the broader community.
To this day, Samodien’s leadership philosophy has centred on empathy and Ubuntu—a philosophy he integrated deeply into the school’s ethos.
“For me, being a leader was not being a dictator,” Samodien emphasises.
“Leading with heart, compassion and building relationships—that was the hallmark of my leadership.”
His commitment to creating organisational health and fostering a sense of belonging among learners, teachers and parents alike resonated deeply with the community.
“One of my proudest moments was when we invited Professor Jonathan Jansen to our school’s 60th anniversary celebration. He said to me, ‘You can’t photocopy schools. But if I could photocopy this school and place this recipe of this school in every South African underperforming, under-resourced, disadvantaged school, then we will have some magic’,’’ Samodien shares.
“Professor Jansen’s words affirmed our efforts to create magic in education—a testament to what we achieved as a team at Kannemeyer.”
One of Samodien’s ‘light bulb’ moments came when in 2017, South Africans were first confronted with the sobering reality of our literacy levels. At the time, 78% of our grade 4 learners could not read for comprehension in any language. Recognising the urgency of the situation in his own school and community, Samodien applied his mind to transform the literacy landscape at Kannemeyer.
Now nationally celebrated for its commitment to developing literacy, Kannemeyer took a proactive approach to addressing this challenge under Samodien’s visionary leadership. The school has forged and continues to maintain partnerships, and which promote literacy and instil a love for reading among its learners.
In 2019, Samodien was awarded Woolworths’ Most Inspirational Principal and in 2021, he achieved the Bronze Certificate in the Western Cape Education Department’s Service Excellence Awards in the category Exemplary Leadership. In 2022, he achieved both the provincial and national Kader Asmal Lifetime Achievement Awards for his exemplary leadership and dedication to educating our children.
In 2023, Samodien retired as the principal of Kannemeyer. Retirement, however, has not slowed him down. Instead, it has opened new avenues for personal and professional growth. Embracing a new role with Citizen Leader Lab, Samodien continues to champion leadership development in education by supporting school principals.
Reflecting on his journey, Samodien offers some practical advice to aspiring educators: “Lead with your heart. Education is not just about imparting knowledge, it’s also about nurturing growth and fostering belonging.”
Samodien’s path from youthful activism to transformative leadership, and now in retirement, to coaching, supporting and facilitating social change, is an inspiration. It is a reminder that true leadership transcends titles – it is instead rooted in the lives we enrich and the communities we uplift.
About Citizen Leader Lab
Citizen Leader Lab, a leadership development and support Public Benefit Organisation, is dedicated to creating resilient leaders in both the public and private sectors. Our vision is Leadership that builds a better future for all.
We offer a variety of programmes and workshops that work towards large-scale social change in South Africa, that empower individuals to be effective leaders and change agents in their communities. With over 14 years of experience, we continue to grow our presence in the education sector and extend our influence into critical public sectors, promoting cross-sector collaboration, active citizenship and social cohesion.
