THE winners of the SHERO Awards, presented by Woolworths and MySchool, in partnership with the Department of Basic Education, were announced on World Teacher’s Day on October 5, to highlight the immense difference that teachers can make in young lives.
Among the winners was Jean-Pierre Botha from Alexander Road High School in Gqeberha, who won the national award in the senior phase category.
Each year, the competition recognises hero teachers that have selflessly stepped up to shape the lives of learners for the better every day and this year over 5 000 entries for deserving teachers were received.
Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga, addressing the awards ceremony, said, ‘’Our teachers are indeed the true embodiment of the triumph of the human spirit.
“Having faced significant strife at the worst times of COVID-19, they not only showed commitment and dedication to teaching under those difficult and at times life-threatening circumstances, but also heeded the government’s call for them to persevere and do their best to preserve the gains made in basic education over the past few decades,” Motshekga said.
According to Pieter Twine, general manager of the Woolworths Making the Difference and MySchool programmes, this is one of the biggest initiatives to involve South Africans in the global celebration of teachers.
“The Teachers Day SHERO Awards is an opportunity for South Africans to come together to recognise and reward their hero teachers and to put them in the national spotlight so that they are properly acknowledged for the way they touch the lives of children,” said Twine.
The national winners in the five different categories, who each received a laptop, R10 000 cash reward for themselves, as well as R5 000 cash for their school, are as follows:
. Foundation phase category winner: Judith Motsusi from Mafikeng Primary School in the North-West;
. Intermediate phase category winner: Sherylee Vermaak from Robert Hicks Primary School in Pretoria;
. Senior phase category winner: Jean-Pierre Botha from Alexander Road High School in Gqeberha;
. Further Education and Training category winner: Celestine Stuurman from Hoërskool Mclachlan in Joubertina in Kouga
. Special Needs category winner is: Corrine Hufkie from St Raphael’s Special School in Durban.
“We congratulate our top five category winners for inspiring learners and for going above and beyond to make a difference in their schools and communities across South Africa,” said Twine.
“We deeply value the wonderful difference that a great teacher makes in the lives of many thousands of learners.”
“We salute all the finalists of this prestigious competition, and express special congratulations to all our winners, who went beyond their call of duty to ensure that teaching and learning continues for the sake of our children, our future leaders,’’ said Motshekga.
– ISSUED ON BEHALF OF DEPARTMENT OF BASIC EDUCATION, WOOLWORTHS AND MYSCHOOL
