The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has appointed a new Circuit Manager for the Vredenburg circuit.
Nomnikelo Gaika stepped into this position on Wednesday 18 January, after the departure of former Circuit Manager Avril Daniels.
She started her career in the education sector 21 years ago. “The seeds of my passion for the education profession were sowed when I was very young. My aunt would take me to visit Grade R classes while delivering food parcels.”
On completing her matric Gaika applied to study law, with education her second choice. “However, I ended up choosing education, in so doing honouring the inclination of years before.”
Her pursuit of this field has enabled her to achieve so much especially in terms of making a difference in others’ lives over the years. She worked as a Learning Support Educator, before progressing to overseeing school clinics serving learners with severe learning difficulties at schools in the Cape Flats Metropole North Education District.
“I have run several projects with principals on language and maths strategy to improve academic results at their schools,” she said.
Few years later she was appointed Learning Support Advisor in Eden Central Karoo Education District in Southern Cape.
With such a remarkable background in the education sector Gaika was appointed Acting Circuit Manager in Malmesbury in 2020. That same year she was awarded and received an Appreciation Award for Extra Ordinary Service and dedication to the education profession by Chief District Director Alan Meyer.
She then went on to be permanent Circuit Manager in Piketberg from 2021 to 2022.
When it comes to her role as Circuit Manager for Vredenburg, Gaika says her first priority is to manage the high volume of walk-ins on placement of learners within schools. The placement of learners has been a challenge throughout the sector.
Gaika describes herself as a positive-minded person serving her clients with love, pride and respect. “I am very creative, innovative and sometime hard on myself and struggle to forgive myself for not reaching goals I have set. I am always learning and care more about growing than about being right. I love life and I am always grateful and show gratitude and being thankful.”
During her reign as Circuit Manager Gaika says she has a lot of plans for the circuit. “To engage different stakeholders related to access to education. To do advocacy and attract different partnership businesses, faith base, community leaders and other government departments to minimise learner drop outs in order to increase learner retention in schools.”
Her circuit vision is also to provide quality education for every child in every classroom in every school in the circuit.
