Only a strong education and training system with committed and excellent teachers can ensure South Africa becomes a caring society, with a thriving economy, according to President Thabo Mbeki.
He was addressing finalists and guests at the National Teaching Awards late in October. Mbeki said the legacy of apartheid had created a number of social deficits, including the absence of classrooms in some areas, and the lack of proper facilities in many schools, especially in rural areas, He said teaching had to take place in adverse conditions where there was no clean water, sanitation, electricity, or any proper teaching and learning resources. “Yet, despite these daunting conditions, our people have for many years managed to defy the negative odds and produced outstanding leaders in our communities. It is this commitment and selflessness that is needed today, as we seek to ensure that our country and continent fight to overcome the legacy of underdevelopment and catch up with the best in the world.”
Mbeki said there could be no doubt that our overall success in the 21st century was possible if only we strengthen the foundation for learning and knowledge acquisition laid by many dedicated teachers in the past. “Precisely because it is not the task of government alone to ensure good and efficient education, we have consistently and tirelessly worked for social partnership between government, parents, teachers, learners and the private sector so as to overcome all the challenges we face.”
Mbeki said teachers had a central role to play in the advancement of the transformation of the education system. “In addition, we have to encourage and reward those teachers who are dedicated, and effectively use their knowledge and skills for the development of our children.”
The president said that recently during a visit to Tsilitwa, a rural school in the Transkei village of Qumbu, he was amazed to find young people using computers to learn maths and science. “Proudly, they told us, they had also formed a partnership with four schools in Great Britain, maintaining continuous interaction with them through the Internet. Teachers from the area also use the computers to improve their own levels of education. “I am convinced that the teachers among us tonight, the illustrious winners of these annual awards, like the teacher in Tsilitwa, occupy the front ranks in our struggle to give birth to a South Africa that is truly new and beautiful.”
NATIONAL TEACHING AWARDS
The 21 finalists are:
Excellence in Primary School Teaching
1st: Enqoleni Community Primary School, Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal 2nd: Susanna C (Rina) Stander, Diepgezet Primary School (Elukwatini) Eerstehoek, Mpumalanga 3rd: Rhiby Emily Masekwameng, Arethabeng Primary School, Soshanguve, Gauteng
Excellence in Secondary School Teaching
1st: Leonard Kope Malatsi, St Paul’s High School, Groblersdal, Northern Province 2nd: Zacharia Makhoba, Botlhabelo High School, Brits, North West 3rd: Lindiwe Sybile Dladla, Sobonakhona High School, Umbumbulu, KwaZulu-Natal
Excellence in Leadership at Primary School Level
1st: Jennifer Margaret Johnson, Parkhurst Primary School, Mitchells Plain, Western Cape 2nd: Thabitha Jiyane, Moruti Makuse Primary School, Witbank, Mpumalanga 3rd: Pamela de Jager, Arbor Park Primary School, Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal
Excellence in Leadership at Secondary School Level
1st: Nditsheni O’Briene Ramugondo, Mbilwi Secondary School, Thohoyandou, Northern Province 2nd: Ivan Aubrey Geswint, Humansdorp Secondary School, Humansdorp, Eastern Cape 3rd: Jacqueline Ntombodumo Madlongolwana, Paballelo High School, Upington, Northern Cape
Excellence in Early Childhood Development
1st: Michele Clare Sebastian, Lucretia Primary School, Kimberley, Northern Cape 2nd: Nonhlanhla Virginia Gumbi, Mgazini Junior Primary School, Pongola 3rd: Agnes Maphela, Tshilidzi Primary School, Tshiawelo, Soweto
Excellence in Special Needs Teaching
1st: Robin Ian Opperman, Ningizimu School for Severely Mentally Handicapped, Durban, KwaZulu Natal 2nd: Lekgolane Virginia Sekwati, Re Thlamaleng School, Northern Cape 3rd: Mahlodi Jacqueline Tsotetsi, Moteti Primary School, Groblersdal, Mpumalanga
Lifetime Achievement
1st: Felie William Malope, Mashishing Secondary School, Hazyview, Mpumalanga 2nd: Matrima Philisiwe Mngomezulu, Ngqungqu Primary, Lower Umfolozi, KwaZulu-Natal 3rd: Mpho Julia Nyenye, Itemoheng Primary School, Marquard, Free State
Finalists received certificates of excellence and their school cash prizes.
– The Teacher/M&G Media, Johannesburg, December 2001.