Teachers from across South Africa were recognised for excellence in education at the 26th National Teaching Awards in Johannesburg on Thursday (1 October), with educators honoured across 15 categories.

During his speech President Cyril Ramaphosa spoke of his own experience at school to illustrate the lasting influence a teacher can have on a young person’s life.

He recalled how his school principal, Mr Ntsandeni, intervened when some teachers believed he should be expelled because of the many questions he asked.

“He saw something in me that others did not see,” Ramaphosa said. “He did more than keep me in school. He gave me the opportunity to continue learning, to develop and to become the person I am today.”

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For Ramaphosa, that ability to recognise potential was at the heart of what the awards sought to celebrate.

“Sometimes, by believing in one young person at a decisive moment, a teacher can change the entire course of that person’s life,” he said.

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube said the awards also served as a reminder of the often-unseen work taking place in classrooms across the country. She said recognition was important in building the kind of education profession South Africa needs. According to Gwarube the awards were also an opportunity to recognise the 485 000 educators in the country.

Teachers’ hard work recognised

“We affirm that excellence matters, that professionalism and commitment matters,” Gwarube said. “We affirm that the work done quietly, consistently and often without public attention deserves to be seen and to be celebrated.”

The minister placed the awards within the department’s broader focus on improving the foundations of education, particularly literacy and numeracy in the early years.

“A total of 80% of children cannot read for meaning in Grade 4,” she said. “Therefore strengthening the foundations is not a nice to have but an existential question.”

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Gwarube said the department had registered more than 13 300 Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres over the past year and that approximately 1.2 million children were accessing registered ECD programmes. This year, 10 000 Foundation Phase teachers are also receiving targeted literacy and numeracy training.

Ramaphosa said excellence should not remain confined to individual classrooms, but should be shared throughout the education system.

“A method that succeeds in Limpopo should inspire a teacher in the Eastern Cape,” he said. “A leadership approach that turns around a school in the Western Cape should be shared with principals in KwaZulu-Natal and across the country.”

The President also highlighted the growing role of technology in education, while stressing that it could not replace teachers.

“Artificial Intelligence may be able to provide an answer, but a teacher helps a learner understand the question,” he said.

Gwarube similarly called for teaching to remain focused on learners rather than administration.

“Teachers are not data capturers, teachers must teach,” she said.

Recognition in various education areas

The awards included the Kader Asmal Lifetime Achievement Award, while recognition was also given to educators excelling in areas ranging from Grade R and inclusive education to mathematics, science and technology-enhanced learning.

Gwarube said the impact of the awards should extend beyond the ceremony itself.

“Excellence should travel, knowledge should travel. This is how a system becomes stronger,” she said.

The ceremony also marked the beginning of the country’s celebration of World Teachers’ Day on 5 October.

Here are the winners:

National Best Teacher:
1st: Mpho Anatjie Mosala (Letlotlo-Naledi Primary School, Free State)

Minister’s Special Award
Teacher: Paulos Emmanuel Mthimunye (Khulufunde Primary School, Mpumalanga)
Learner: Appreciate Jiyane (Khulufunde Primary School, Mpumalanga)

Kader Asmal Lifetime Achievement Award
1st: Duduzile Constance Nkuna (Sekampaneng Primary School, Gauteng)

Excellence in Inclusive Education Leadership
1st: Mthobi Ian Fihla (Phakamisani Primary School, Western Cape)
2nd: Elmon Masane Jomo (Kamagugu Inclusive School, Mpumalanga)
3rd: Matome Johannes Bopape (Helen Franz Special School, Limpopo)

Excellence in Inclusive Education Teaching
1st: Tshepang Confidence Olifant (Pholoho Special School, Free State)
2nd: Nomfundo Myeni (Siphosethu Special School, KwaZulu-Natal)
3rd: Sibongile Rose Sithole (Silindokuhle Special School, Mpumalanga)

Excellence in Grade R Teaching
1st: Danielle Sherilyn Bosch (Koos Sadie Primary School, Western Cape)
2nd: Thobela Silvia Mthimunye (Hlangu Phala Primary School, Mpumalanga)
3rd: Thendo Tshauambea (Spa Park Primary School, Limpopo)

Excellence in Primary School Leadership
1st: Mosimanegape Webster Moepi (Ragogang Primary School, North West)
2nd: Hlanganani Dolly Ndou (Laerskool Bergvlam Primary School, Limpopo)
3rd: Siphiwe Lindiwe Maseko (Thandanani Primary School, Mpumalanga)

Excellence in Primary School Teaching
1st: Xolile Gladness Mazibuko (Sipheni Primary School, KwaZulu-Natal)
2nd: Kylie Laurens (Monamodi Public School, Free State)
3rd: Mulivhuweni Mawelewele (Dr Yusuf Dadoo Primary School, Gauteng)

Excellence in Secondary School Leadership
1st: Hendrik Jacobus Kachelhoffer (Hoërskool Trio High School, Free State)
2nd: Vumile Nguluzane (Ngangelizwe Primary School, Eastern Cape)
3rd: Lungani Hycent Shabangu (Siyabonga Secondary School, Mpumalanga)

Excellence in Secondary School Teaching
1st: Samukelisiwe Melody Msibi (Phendukani Full Service High School, KwaZulu-Natal)
2nd: Nokuthula Claudia Zulu (Prudens Secondary School, Gauteng)
3rd: Zininzi Ncwama (Monchusi Secondary School, North West)

Excellence in Teaching Life Skills
1st: Vusi Christopher Maseko (Hlangu Phala Primary School, Mpumalanga)
2nd: Matabane Laura Mmutle (Thabanapitsi Primary School, Limpopo)
3rd: Mpho Molatlhwa (Pitso Tolo Primary School, North West)

Excellence in Teaching Mathematics (FET)
1st: Sibusiso Blessing Mkhonto (Ndzundza Mabhoko Secondary School, Mpumalanga)
2nd: Ernest Thabo Moroane (Bluegumbosch Secondary School, Free State)
3rd: Romeo Sammy Mohale (St. Brendan’s Catholic Full Service Secondary School, Limpopo)

Excellence in Teaching Mathematics (GET)
1st: Fulufhedzani Zwivhuya Mulaudzi (Daniel Mubva Primary School, Limpopo)
2nd: Winnie Sithembiso Mashaba (Laerskool Mooifontein, Gauteng)
3rd: Thabo Ivirn Mazibuko (Makause Combined School, Mpumalanga)

Excellence in Teaching Natural Sciences
1st: Taetso Evidance Mmako (Molamo Primary School, Limpopo)
2nd: Tshepang Montso (Seabo Primary School, Free State)
3rd: Nande Mtotywa (Maruping Primary School, Eastern Cape)

Excellence in Teaching Physical Sciences
1st: Abiud Prosper Baloyi (Mugwazeni Secondary School, Limpopo)
2nd: S’nenhlanhla Nicholus Sibutha (Elangwane Secondary School, Mpumalanga)
3rd: Sabata Benjamin Hlohlolo (Senakangwedi Secondary School, Free State)

Excellence in Technology-Enhanced Teaching and Learning
1st: Hortense Frances Stegmann (Welgemoed Primary School, Western Cape)
2nd: Emanuel Sampodi Tonga (Shakwaneng Primary School, Mpumalanga)
3rd: Ridwaan Saith (Dr Yusuf Dadoo Primary School, Gauteng)