Maryna de Lange, from Saldanha Bay Primary in the Western Cape and Steve Maditjane from Tsamma Secondary School in Klerksdorp, Gauteng, were the joint winners.
The awards acknowledge teachers who make a difference in maths and science at disadvantaged schools.
‘I love both children and the subjects and once you pay attention to their emotional sides, children learn through discovery,” says De Lange, the first woman winner of the award.
A teacher for just six years, fellow joint winner Maditjane inspires both learners and educators. ‘Teaching brings positive things to me, especially fulfilling the dreams of my learners.”
Nominations are made earlier in the year by teachers, parents and learners. Nominees face questions from a panel for the provincial finals and the winners of those compete for the national award in October.
‘The teachers we celebrate tonight are among those in depressed areas who are producing shining stars in the darkness,” said Deputy Minister of Education Mosibudi Mangena.