The Mitchells Plain school community is in mourning following the death of a beloved teacher.
The Deputy Principal of Portland High School, Isaac Geswind, passed away on Saturday.
A colleague of Mr Geswind, Andre Rix, says the 59-year-old teacher suffered from pneumonia.
Rix says Mr Geswind had been hospitalised, and was put in an induced coma and placed on a ventilator.
DEDICATED: Isaac taught at Portland High in Mitchells Plain
According to Rix, the deputy principal was tested four times for Covid-19, but it came back negative.
“His doctor said all the signs of Covid were there, so now we are waiting for the post-mortem results.”
The teacher's hartseer sister, Christine Erasmus, says her brother was due for retirement this year.
She described her brother, who was married and has two daughters aged 21 and 23, as a loving family man.
"He was such a humble man. His death was a shock to all of us."
In a post on the Portland High School Facebook page, the school confirmed the news of Mr Geswind’s passing.
“Portland High is saddened by the loss of our beloved Deputy Principal, Mr Geswind. He was loved by the school community and will be greatly missed. Rest in peace, family man, great educator, ‘father’ to many learners and a friend to all his colleagues,” the post reads.
Current and former pupils took to social media to express condolences and shared some of their most memorable times with him.
“RIP Sir... I remember how you used to chase us around with that cane... For such a small man, you were a force to be reckoned with,” wrote Tracey-Anne Lee-de Jongh.
Joshua Wakefield had quite a journey with Mr Geswind, posting: “A man that was my educator, deputy principal, cricket coach and recently my colleague. I’m honoured to have met, been taught and worked with a man with his calibre.”
Western Cape Education Department spokesperson Bronagh Hammond says as per departmental policy, the WCED would not confirm the cause of death.
“I cannot confirm the cause of death, however, he has been hospitalised for a while now,” she says.
“Our sincere condolences to the friends, family and school community.
“Mr Geswind was dedicated and committed to education and additional activities such as sports and marching band.”