Bilkes Bhano Vawda was the biggest winner at the 2012 National Teaching Awards held at the Gallagher Estate conference centre in Johannesburg on Thursday, 7 March 2013. She scooped the Lifetime Achievement Award for her continued dedication and contribution to quality education in South Africa.
Vawda was one of 11 winners whose work and dedication to the profession was recognised in an event broadcast live on SABC 2. More than 1 000 teachers from around the country attended the awards ceremony.
Minister of Basic Education, Mrs Angie Motshekga and President Jacob Zuma presented the award to Vawda, who has been the principal at Marlboro Gardens Secondary School in Johannesburg since 1998 and has been at the school for a total of 20 years, with 38 years experience as an educator.
Now in its 13th year, the National Teaching Awards aim to celebrate the exceptional achievements of teachers throughout the public education system to inspire South Africa’s learners and deliver the Department of Basic Education’s vision of quality education for all. The awards focus public attention on the positive aspects of Education, thereby raising the public image of the teaching profession and giving recognition to teachers who promote excellence in the classroom.
The award honours educators 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 ICT-Enhanced Teaching; and
- Lifetime Achievement Award.
For the first time the awards also recognised the Top Volunteer Educators and Top Supervisors for the Kha Ri Gude mass literacy campaign.
Speaking at the gala dinner Minister Motshekga said the awards celebrated the great and remarkable exploits of teachers who gave of themselves to the education of the nation and its children.
“We all came here to honour the best of our teachers. These are men and women of our beloved republic who’ve distinguished themselves by finishing the 2012 race ahead of their peers in diverse areas as the various award categories will show,” said Minister Motshekga.
“We strive in this way to motivate teachers to do more to improve performance and learning outcomes. This we do for the sake and good of our children. I salute all schools and teachers, particularly the recipients of the awards and finalists, for their sterling efforts. Other teachers should not despair. There’s always room for improvement.”
President Jacob Zuma said the awards were one of the essential instruments to recognise and acknowledge teachers who had displayed excellence in the schools and classrooms.
“Through these awards we are able to prove that the majority of teachers are professionals who are dedicated to their work,” said President Zuma.
“For us to make education an essential service in the country, our teachers must play their part. They must turn the image of the profession around. Through professional conduct like coming to school on time and doing their work diligently, the teaching profession will regain the respect of the community,” he said.
Full list of winners:
- Excellence in Primary School Teaching: Julie-Ann Lendrum, Winchester Ridge Primary School, Gauteng
- Excellence in Secondary School Teaching: Ismail Teladia, Spine Road High School, Western Cape
- Excellence in Primary School Leadership: Mmakgopi Messina Mokgope, Tsitsing Primary School, North West
- Excellence in Secondary School Leadership: Derick Petersen, Imizamo Yethu Secondary School, Western Cape
- Excellence in Grade R Teaching: Karin Adlem, Pietersburg English Medium Primary School, Limpopo
- Excellence in Special Needs Teaching: Hanlie Swanepoel, Estralita Special School, Mpumalanga
- Excellence in ICT-Enhanced Teaching: Anita van Vuuren, Universitas Primary School, Free State
- Professor Kader Asmal Excellence Award: Johannes Melesi, Kopanong Secondary School, Free State
- People’s Choice Award: Melanie Vandayer
- Kha Ri Gude Top Volunteer Educator: Khetiwe Komazi
- Kha Ri Gude Top Supervisor: Shadrack Moleko.
