In a classroom in the Eastern Cape, a teacher showed that education is not only about books and blackboards. A short video shared online captured him braiding one of his students’ hair into neat ponytails, a gesture that spoke volumes about care, dignity, and Ubuntu.
The clip, posted on 8 September 2025 by creator @nono.nike, quickly spread across TikTok and Facebook, drawing in hundreds of thousands of views. It was a moment so ordinary and yet so rare in how deeply it touched people: a teacher taking the time to nurture, not just instruct.
Small Gestures, Big Impact
South Africans know that for many learners, schools are more than places of study. They are safe spaces where children spend most of their day, often receiving the kind of attention and stability they may not find elsewhere. In this case, a teacher sitting down to braid a young girl’s hair reminded people that kindness can live in small, everyday acts.
The pupil sits quietly in the clip, relaxed and comfortable. The trust between child and teacher is clear. And that trust is what has made so many people pause to reflect on what it means to truly teach.
Social Media Reaction
The response online was swift and heartfelt. The video attracted more than 343 000 views and over 28 000 likes and comments. Users praised the teacher for his compassion and described the moment as a true display of Ubuntu.
Many shared personal stories of teachers who once filled similar roles in their lives. Some parents commented that they hoped their children would one day encounter teachers like him. Others simply called it “the definition of love in action.”
Ubuntu in the Classroom
The act of braiding hair may seem small, but it carries cultural significance in South Africa. Hair is often a marker of identity, pride, and self-expression. To take the time to style a learner’s hair is to affirm their dignity. In a province like the Eastern Cape, where schools often face shortages and systemic challenges, a moment of human connection can mean more than new textbooks.
This moment represents a practical lesson in Ubuntu, the idea that our humanity is tied to how we treat others. It reminded South Africans that schools can be places of healing and affirmation, not just academic instruction.
Why It Matters
Too often, teachers are expected to deliver results under enormous pressure, with little recognition of the emotional and social role they play. This viral video shows the other side of the profession: the invisible labour of care, of mentoring, of being present for children in more ways than one.
If more classrooms echoed this sense of compassion, perhaps learners would carry not only knowledge but also confidence and belonging into their futures.
The Eastern Cape teacher may not have known he was being filmed, but his quiet action resonated with the country. His gesture reminds us that education is about people before it is about policies. To braid a child’s hair is to tell them, “You are seen, you are valued, you belong.”
That lesson may last far longer than anything written on a chalkboard.
Source: Briefly News
Featured Image: Discovery Institute
