Mmipe George Mokgahle, from Toronto Primary School, Limpopo, won a car and R25 000 as he was awarded the 2011 lifetime Achievement Award at the National Teaching Awards, held on 23 February 2012.
Deputy President, Mr Kgalema Motlanthe, Minister of Basic Education , Mrs Angie Motshekga, Deputy Minister, Mr Enver Surty, the Director-General, Mr Bobby Soobrayan, members of teachers unions, Department of Basic Education (DBE) partners, and other education stakeholders came in numbers to salute the dedicated and committed teachers in the South Africa schooling system at a gala event held at the Sandton Convention Centre.
The glamorous event also would not have been possible without the generous support of sponsors, including the Telkom Foundation, SABC Education, Vodacom, Intel and The Star Newspaper and General Motors.
Now in its 12th year, The NTA is a platform to acknowledge and encourage dedicated and caring teachers in their efforts to develop each South African learner into effective and functioning citizens. These awards also provide the perfect opportunity for the whole of South Africa to publicly thank and celebrate the heroes of the profession that gives birth to all other professions.
In her welcoming address, Minister Motshekga stated that the National Teaching Awards are meant to focus public attention on the positive aspects of education; recognise and promote excellence in the teaching profession; honour dedicated, creative and effective teachers and schools and afford the South African community the platform to publicly thank devoted and diligent teachers.
“We confer a Lifetime Achievement Award to educators with a minimum of 39 years of unbroken service. Another new addition is the special ministerial award – the Professor Kader Asmal Asmal – named after the former Minister of Education,” said the Minister.
“We have also introduced a new people’s choice Award for educators who have inspired learners to achieve excellence and have served as role-models for learners and communities”.
“The best way to express our heartfelt gratitude to those great women and men is to speak with them through the highest office in the land – the Presidency,” she remarked.
The 2011 National Teaching Awards recognised outstanding teaching in the following categories:
- Excellence in Primary School Teaching - Ms Shehnaz Essop Saloojee from North West
- Excellence in Secondary School Teaching - Mr Francios Naude from Gauteng
- Excellence in Primary School Leadership – the winner- Mr Sentsho Rapoo from Gauteng
- Excellence in Secondary School Leadership - Mr Velaphi Simon Magwa from Free State
- Excellence in Special Needs Teaching – Mr Leigh Michael Dunn from Western Cape
- Excellence in Grade R Teaching - Ms Belinda Harmse from North West
- Excellence in Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET)– Ms Bernadette Joy Bailey
