A Path Unexpected: A Memoir

by Jane Evans

'Jane Evans is a name that has earned enormous respect in Early Childhood Development circles. The fact that ECD is an essential pillar in our country's programme of educational reform owes much to Jane and other activists of the time – many of whom are mentioned in her book. While this is a personal memoir it is also an important record of ECD in South Africa.' – Dr Tshepo MotsepeJane Evans begins her memoir with her career as a journalist in the big city, then tells of her moving to the small town of Viljoenskroon in the northern Free State with her husband, Anthony Evans, a well-known and respected businessman and farmer. It is here, in the heart of South Africa's maize lands during the height of apartheid, that Jane is moved to create the non-profit organisation Ntataise, marking the start of her activism for early childhood development (ECD) and advocacy for training women in rural communities to become ECD teachers.Eloquently written and told with great sensitivity and humility, this is a memoir about love, loss, finding purpose, and how one woman's unexpected path led to family-like bonds in the unlikeliest of places – and about a dream so profound that it would influence generations of young learners and the women who teach them.

313 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 10, 2021

Reviews

[Merle · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a piece of history remembered! This book was written with such profound beauty that I didn’t want it to end. Especially of interest to ECD teachers, all people with heart, people who work with young children and maybe everyone who grew up in Apartheid South Africa. Honest, heartfelt, and inspiring. I give this book a huge and bright 5 stars!

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

It seemed so unlikely at the start of this book, that a city girl and women's page editor would embrace the Free State farming life to start with, develop and then end up realising a vision to start nursery schools on farms. Early Childhood Education in rural areas was non-existent in the bad old days of apartheid, but Jane Evans founded Ntataise and was undeterred by the many obstacles she encountered. The key was to involve rural women to become ECD teachers, and even trainers of teachers. It is an astonishing and inspiring story of quiet determination and the support of her husband Anthony. I felt a little uncomfortable at the start for Jane, who seemed to defer completely to her husband and mother-in-law - but then those were the 70s and 80s and she was young and on the back foot, unfamiliar with the conservative community she had to adapt to. She tells her story, actually a memoir published in 2021, with great humility and compassion. What stands out for me most of all was how Ntataise uplifted the lives of rural women who came forward to become teachers - and the determination and endless patience Jane needed.

[Debbie Daley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating and inspirational memoir of an amazing lady.

[Ann Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational account of a very important journey to help young children in a changing South Africa. Very well written and so interesting. Jane is a very special lady and a true humanitarian