Seventy of South Africa’s top teachers gathered at the Presidential Guesthouse at the end of last year for the annual National Teachers’ Awards.
Addressing a packed dining hall, Education Minister Naledi Pandor said the awards afford the national department of education an ”opportunity to recognise and celebrate excellence in teaching”. And it is this excellence that must be recognised for good teachers to play a significant role in ”raising standards across the system and in communities”, Pandor said.
”So, on this occasion, this awards evening, we celebrate you, we call out your names and we draw attention to you,” she said.
The winners and runners-up in the eight categories were:
Excellence in Primary School Teaching
Lorraine Mabitsela, Braam Fischer Primary School, Gauteng,
Freda Poo, Emfundweni Primary School, Mpumalanga,
Johan van Niekerk, Eben Donges Primere Skool, Free State.
Excellence in Secondary School Teaching
Lindiwe Madonsela, Dikana High School, KwaZulu-Natal,
Emma Kruger, Hoerskool Kempton Park, Gauteng,
Motsienyane Lethena, Lekhulong Secondary School, Free State.
Excellence in Primary School Leadership
Fannie Sebolela, Khensani Primary School, Gauteng,
Thabile Ngcobo, Mzigwenya
Intermediate Primary School, KwaZulu-Natal,
Vangeli Ntsetso, Ihobe Intermediate School, Free State,
Miriam Khoza, Sifundzekhaya Primary School, Mpumalanga.
Excellence in Secondary School Leadership
Staphanus Cloete, Harmony High School, Free State,
Tshwenyego Mokhukhwane, Michael Modisakeng Secondary School, North West,
Mzoliswa Mavovana, Hector Peterson FET School, Western Cape,
Sarel Tsepetsi, Tshepo-Themba Secondary School, Gauteng.
Excellence in Early Childhood Development
Samukelisiwe Msiza, Reagile Primary School, Gauteng,
Cecile Terblans, Lakeview, Free State,
Ansuyah Mahes, Woodlands Primary School, KwaZulu-Natal.
Excellence in Inclusive Education and Special Needs Teaching
Godfrey Xilthabana, North West Secondary for the Deaf, North West,
Helen Madira and Ntovhedzeni Mampohodo,Thusanang Special School, Limpopo,
Thabile Sikhakhane, Philile Mkhize, Lindiwe Maseko and Gugu Masondo, Nokhukhanya Primary School in KwaZulu-Natal.
Exellence in Adult Basic Education and Training
Lilian van Louw, Piketberg Community Learning Centre, Western Cape,
Sylvia Mngomezulu, Do It ABET Centre, KwaZulu-Natal,
Matome Mongalo, Alexandra ABET Centre, Gauteng.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Roy Naicker, Nohlevu Secondary School, KwaZulu-Natal,
Maude Oberholzer, High School for Girls Potchefstroom, North West,
Loxilile Njotini, Kwebulana Junior Secondary School, Eastern Cape.