BLOEMFONTEIN – Six teachers from the Free State who were finalists in this year’s National Teaching Awards (NTAs) made the province proud, winning accolades at a ceremony held in Boksburg on 9 October. They were among the 41 winners, out of 135 finalists from the nine provinces.
The Free State had 15 finalists in total.
The first of the winning Free State finalists are Motseki Mofokeng, who won the Kader Asmal lifetime achievement award. Naledi Masienyane, in turn, claimed first place in excellence in primary school teaching. Mofokeng and Masienyane currently both work at the Letlotlo Naledi Public School in the Lejweleputswa district.
Gina Strauss, who works at the Rouxville Primary School in the Xhariep district, achieved second place in excellence in teaching mathematics (general education and training − GET).
Three Free State teachers achived third places: Sechaba Lekhooa, in excellence in secondary teaching; Tebello Tshabalala, in excellence in secondary school leadership; and Lindiwe Tlake, in excellence in special needs leadership. Tshabalala and Lekhooa work at the Kopanong Secondary School in the Mangaung Metropolitan district, while Tlake works at the Mphatlalatsane Special School in the Fezile Dabi district.
In 2024 the province had three winners, while in 2023 the Free State yielded four recipients.
The awarding of the annual teachers’ awards coincides with World Teachers Day, observed on 5 October to honour teachers’ contributions in upholding this noble profession.
The theme for the 2025 National Teaching Awards is “Empowering Educators: Strengthening Resilience, Building Sustainability”.
This year the 25th instalment of the Teaching Awards was presented.
You must be logged in to post a comment.