Deputy President Paul Mashatile has sought to assure teachers that the country values and cherishes the difference they make in the lives of learners and communities.
Mashatile was delivering a keynote address at the 23rd National Teachers Awards, held in Hatfield, Pretoria. The annual awards are held to recognise and honour the nation’s best teachers.
“As we gather here today, I want every teacher to know that the nation sees you, values you, and cherishes the difference you make in the lives of your learners and to our communities more broadly.
Each one of you, those coming from modernised classrooms, and those who continue to inspire and nurture future leaders from the most remote corners of our country, is part of our shared vision for a prosperous, educated, and united South Africa,” said Mashatile.
The teachers were awarded for their excellence across a variety of categories including, but not limited to, Excellence in Grade R Teaching, Excellence in Primary School Teaching, Excellence in Secondary School Teaching, Excellence in Secondary School Leadership as well as the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga also congratulated the winners and their schools. She said she is humbled and privileged, that the teachers have helped shape future leaders.
“We admire your dedication, commitment to the sector, but we also admire your love for the sector. It’s such a heartening experience to go and visit schools, you feel a sense of happiness and pride.
I also want to thank those who participate internationally because they fly our flag high. To each of our honoured recipients, I offer my deepest congratulations. Your innovative approaches, boundless energy, and undying dedication to our students, have raised the bar of excellence,” said Motshekga.
Some of the crème of the crop that were honoured include Chezèl Claassens from the Free State for Excellence in Grade R Teaching, Crosby Khanyile from KwaZulu-Natal for Excellence in Secondary School Teaching, Johané Marais from the Free State for Excellence in Teaching Mathematics, Corn’e Engles from Gauteng for Excellence in Special Needs Teaching, and Gugu Qwabe from KwaZulu-Natal for National Best Teacher Award.
