South Africa’s outstanding teachers, who go beyond the call of duty, were honoured on Saturday evening during the annual National Teaching Awards.
The event was held at Gallagher Estate and it was attended by Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga and Education MECs from across the country.
A special event that is prominent on the Basic Education calendar, the awards recognise excellence and the outstanding contribution of teachers in enhancing the quality of teaching. They strive to motivate teachers to do more to improve performance and learning outcomes.
All nominees are winners from the provincial leg of the competition in all nine provinces. They were originally nominated by their schools in categories including Excellence in Teaching or Leadership in Primary or Secondary School Level; Excellence in Grade R Teaching; Use of Information Communication Technology in Teaching; Special Needs Schools; Life Time Achiever and the Kader Asmal Excellence Award.
Thembisile Mdlalose from Thembimfundo Special School in KwaZulu-Natal outclassed her peers by scooping the Kader Asmal Award.
Mdlalose developed her passion for teaching from 1987. In 1999, she went on to establish Thembimfundo Special School using her own money to pay the staff and run the hostel. The school is currently home to 35 homeless children and adults with disabilities, which the department now funds.
“Working in such a specialised field is not always easy but it’s worthwhile. It’s always been in me to be a teacher, therapist, counsellor and mother. Through my work, I am able to change the lives of those who otherwise might have been overlooked in the system,” says Mdlalose.
Ganasen Reddy, the principal of Glenhaven Secondary School in KwaZulu- Natal, won the Lifetime Achievement Award. A science teacher, Reddy has been in the teaching profession for 32 years.
He has managed to turn the school into a model school by introducing morning and weekend classes while embracing technology, which led to the drastic turnaround in the school’s results.
“I aim to go beyond what is considered the norm … I believe that every child is a top achiever,” he says.
The Special Presidential Award was clinched by Sibusiso Bhengu for his contribution to education.
Deputy President Ramaphosa, who delivered the keynote address, congratulated all the winners, whom he described as “the ambassadors of excellence in education”.
“Teachers are not just passionate about teaching. I believe that they are driven by a deep sense of justice and care for others. They empower, mentor, nurture, and they give hope to the children of our country. They are our nation’s pride,” he says.
Investment in education, the Deputy President says, produces the greatest yield for any society.
“Investing in the education of our children is the best investment that any family, nation and country can ever make. It builds future generations of citizens that are equal not only in rights but also in access to opportunities.”
What South Africa needs is active citizens that can complete in the globalised world; a capable nation that is armed with the knowledge, skills and drive to improve the country’s competiveness.
“We need a generation that is equipped to build a better society that is characterised by respect and generosity. That is why teachers hold the key to the nation’s future.”
For the younger generation to succeed, the Ramaphosa says South Africa needs teachers that are committed to nurturing, mentoring and developing them.
“We need teachers that are confident in their own abilities and are eager to impart the knowledge and experience that they have. We need teachers to go to work with a mission, teachers who are filled in their hearts with a great mission of improving the South African child,” he says.
However, good teachers alone are not enough. The country also needs good schools and a supporting education system, he adds.
