Vusumuzi Dube
Character is the way someone thinks, feels and behaves. A good character consists of loyalty, honesty, courage and integrity. A person with good character chooses to do the right thing because he or she believes it’s morally right to do so.
A person shows a good character through his/ her words and actions. It is not limited to a single value but the traits are demonstrated in the good choices they make and bad choices they avoid.
Why good character is important
It is an essential component of one’s identity. A learner will be identified using this character trait. If a learner behaves well he/she will be highly respected. Character helps to build self-respect and trust. It is important because it built conference. A person with good character is usually confident.
He/She will be confident and not fear anything and such a learner will be on the right side of the law in most cases. Good character is also important because it reflects leadership qualities in a learner. A learner with good character is a good leader, he/she is not pushed or monitored, such a learner is self driven.
Characteristics of a good character
Integrity: A learner with good character has good integrity. The term integrity means one. Such a learner is always consistent in whatever she/he will be doing. It is a personal trait that has strong moral principles and co-values. When you have integrity you don’t change or follow what other people will be saying about you just like characters e.g A,B,C,D etc or numbers e.g 1,2,3,4, these characters don’t change an A is an A in any other countries, they don’t change.
Honesty: This is a good trait that is more than telling the truth, such a learner will be truthful and, straight forward. Being honest requires self honesty, authenticity, always watching your thoughts. Always watch your thoughts as they become your words, watch your words as they become your actions, watch your actions your habit, and your habit become your character and watch your character it becomes your destiny.
Loyalty: This is an ethical trait of faithfulness and devotion to your loved ones, your friends or anyone with whom you have a trusted relationship. Loyalty is a good quality for any learner and is important at your school, family and community.
Respect: This is an important characteristic that a learner needs. A learner with this character treats others with courtesy, kindness, deference, dignity and civility. This learner is respectful to each and every learner and also the teachers and the community
Responsibility: A learner with this personality is responsible. Such a learner is self driven and fully aware about what he/she should do. These learners are not wasteful but they are self monitored and proactive, they are also accountable and everything that they do, it’s done rationally.
Humility: This term is derived from the word humble, you don’t see yourself too good to other people or on any situation. With this honourable traits you have a learning and growth mind-set and desire to express and experience gratitude for what you have rather than expecting that you deserve more. Learners with this traits are down to down to earth and not proud.
Compassion: This character trait feels sympathy and suffering for the misfortunes of other learners. Such a learner will be having the desire to help others in any situation that they will be facing. At school some learners may not have pens, exercise books or money for civvies days etc. Compassionate learners chip in to assist. They sacrifice their time in assisting others.
Forgiveness: Such learners forgive if someone wrong them, they don’t let resentment or anger towards other learners. Such learners believe in reconciliation and restoration .They don’t hold grudges, instead they let someone feel accepted through forgiving them.
Courage: Such learners are brave and don’t fear certain circumstances that takes place at school. They are mentally strong, and believe in themselves even if other learners mock them, they are not worried, they remain focused. These learners don’t panic easily.
Perseverance: This is a character trait of steady fast persistence and determination to continue working hard . Such learners believe in themselves and are not intimidated by any difficulty or uncomfortable situation. Some of these learners might be having challenges home or at school but this doesn’t deter them, they remain persistent. They might be having a challenge on a certain topic, but they still continue working hard. Even if they fail a certain test, they continue revising.
Extracts from the Novel The Right Steps written by Manners Msongelwa. Manners Msongelwa is the president of History Teacher’s of Zimbabwe and a Teacher at Camelot College in Kwekwe.
Online Reporter