The black-tie event will be held at Imvelo Safari Lodge outside Bloemfontein on Friday (28/8), bringing together educators recognised for their commitment to teaching and developing future generations. A total of 68 finalists are competing for provincial honours.

The National Teaching Awards competition begins at district level, with winners advancing to represent their districts at provincial level.

This year’s finalists will compete in 17 categories. The Free State MEC has introduced two new categories for education: Dr Julia Maboya, Excellence in Agricultural Sciences Teaching, and Excellence in Accounting Teaching.

The awards aim to celebrate innovation, leadership, and dedication, while encouraging teachers to continue raising the standard of education and shaping the next generation of learners. The categories include excellence in primary and secondary school teaching, inclusive education, life skills, technology-enhanced learning, mathematics, physical sciences, accounting and agricultural subjects.

“The finalists represent educators who have shown commitment and sacrifice in ensuring that learners receive the knowledge and skills needed to become future leaders and professionals,” said provincial spokesperson Howard Ndaba. “These are the crème de la crème of our profession in the province.

‘To us, they’re all the winners’

“Where we acknowledge and honour excellence, we acknowledge and honour the profession, which is teaching, which is the mother of all professions. To us, they’re all the winners. They have made us proud.

“The Free State is regarded as an agricultural province, so we want to focus on making sure we build that sector and give that sector agriculturalists, starting at the school level. Those are the people that we want to produce, so that they help this country to win as a country. And that should start at the school level.”

The accounting category would help promote financial skills and encourage the development of professionals who can contribute to addressing challenges around accountability and auditing, he said.

The provincial winners will go on to represent the Free State at the national stage, with the national competition scheduled for Thursday, 1 October.

Ndaba encouraged other educators across the province to participate in future editions of the awards, and said, “There are many hardworking teachers whose contributions deserve recognition.”

OFM News/Zenande Mpame sm

• Have a news tip to share? Phone or whatsapp the OFM News Hotline on 066 487 1427.