The overall winner of the 2011 National Teaching Awards will walk away with a brand new car, thanks to one of our sponsors General Motors South Africa (GMSA).
Announcing the main prize in Pretoria a day before the awards gala, Basic Education Minister Mrs Angie Motshekga said this prize is a well deserved reward for an outstanding teacher who has worked selflessly, often for long hours and under very difficult conditions, to improve the overall performance of a school and its learners.
Along with guest of honour Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, Minister Motshekga will on Thursday 23 February 2012, acknowledge and salute the selfless contribution of the country’s best teachers, at a star-studded evening in Sandton, Johannesburg. This year’s theme is "Celebrating the heroes of yesterday and today, inspiring the heroes of tomorrow".
The 2011 National Teaching Awards will recognise outstanding teaching in the following categories:
- Excellence in Primary School Teaching
- Excellence in Secondary School Teaching
- Excellence in Primary School Leadership
- Excellence in Secondary School Leadership
- Excellence in Grade R Teaching
- Excellence in Special Needs Teaching
- Excellence in Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET)
- Lifetime Achievement Award
- Via Afrika Publishers People's Choice Award (new category)
- Kader Asmal Excellence Award (new category
"These awards, specifically the People’s Choice award, will provide a perfect opportunity for all South Africans, most of whom have undoubtedly been in contact with a teacher at some stage in their lives, to publicly thank and celebrate the heroes of the teaching profession, a profession that gives birth to all the other professions", said Minister Motshekga.
Presenting the grand prize, GMSA Head of Public Policy and Corporate Affairs Shibishi Maruatona said, "while the primary focus of General Motors is the assembly and distribution of vehicles, the company is equally committed to making meaningful and sustainable contribution towards the upliftment of South Africans. This passion is founded upon a steadfast and relentless drive to help transform the country through the provision of value-adding support in key areas such as education. Over the past 5 years, GMSA has invested more than R90 million on scholarships and bursaries to employees, their children and students", said Maruatona.
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) would like to acknowledge and thank all the sponsors who found it befitting to support us in saluting the country's best teachers. The generous sponsors include the Telkom Foundation, SABC Education, Vodacom, Intel and The Star Newspaper amongmany others who donated prizes to make these awards possible.
We welcome messages of support from the Telkom Foundation, SABC Education and Vodacom, among others, acknowledging the work done by educators throughout the country. In their message of support SABC Education says: "we understand the effort and sacrifices that teachers put into ensuring learners are empowered towards producing good results. We salute the men and women in our classrooms for their endless perseverance and struggle to see to it that South Africa becomes a more literate society."
Vodacom Managing Director Sipho Maseko says: "as a means of encouraging teachers to excel in their work,as well as producing healthy competition amongst teachers, Vodacom is pleased to support the National Teaching Awards" while the Telkom Foundation believes it is imperative to give special recognition to teachers who stretch themselves beyond ordinary limits, whose hearts are in the right place, and who remain positive despite the difficulties. The National Teaching Awards play a critical role in giving great teachers the acknowledgement they deserve."
Congratulations to all our winners.
Enquiries:
Panyaza Lesufi (Head of Communication)
Cell: 072 148 9575
Hope Mokgatlhe (Ministerial Spokesperson)
Cell: 071 680 6849
E-mail: media@dbe.gov.za
Only accredited media will be allowed entry to the event. For all accreditation enquiries kindly contact:
Terence Khala
Cell: 084 830 1973
E-mail: khala.t@dbe.gov.za
