Deputy President, Kgalema Motlanthe,
All protocol observed,
For me, this is not a day for ‘longwinded’ speeches.
This is a very special day to celebrate great teachers who have done us proud, often under extraordinary circumstances.
The Annual National Teaching Awards, now in their 12th year, are one of the essential instruments we have to incentivise teachers who have displayed excellence in the classroom.
The objectives of the awards are 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 (iv) Afford the South African community the platform to publicly thank devoted and diligent teachers.
Tonight’s ceremony recognises respective award recipients for excellence in primary school teaching, primary school leadership, secondary school teaching, secondary school leadership, Grade R teaching and special needs teaching.
We confer a Lifetime Achievement Award to educators with a minimum of 30 years of unbroken service. Another new addition is the special ministerial award, the Professor Kader Asmal Award, named after the former Minister of Education.
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 these great women and men is to speak with them through the highest office in the land – The Presidency.
We are therefore grateful that The Presidency has prioritised this occasion, showing that education is indeed a top national priority. As our Honourable Deputy President will show, without highly-motivated teachers, there can be no development.
Ladies and gentlemen, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe does not require an elaborate introduction.
Deputy President, welcome, over to you, and thank you for being here.
