By Siviwe Mxuma
In mid-2023, visiting representatives of the KAVOD Foundation were deeply impressed by the significant progress in Makhanda’s education sector. During this visit, discussions with GADRA Education Manager, Dr Ashley Westaway, regarding ways to further elevate the status of the teaching profession in Makhanda took place. This conversation led to the proposal of an annual Makhanda Teacher Awards programme, aimed at celebrating educational achievements and honouring outstanding educators across the city.
The KAVOD Foundation provided the necessary funding, while GADRA Education partnered with the Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education at Rhodes University to organise the first annual Makhanda Teacher Awards, set for 2024.
This initiative came at an opportune time, as Makhanda had seen considerable educational advancements over the past decade. Many of these achievements were highlighted at the #RU120 Education Summit in January 2024, where the Teachers Awards programme was first publicly announced. This prestigious summit, spearheaded by Rhodes University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sizwe Mabizela, marked the first time a university vice-chancellor convened an education summit to position a city as a leading educational centre in South Africa and Africa. This bold move reflected Makhanda’s unique position: despite facing significant municipal challenges, the city has become a beacon of educational excellence through the efforts of dedicated organisations and individuals.
A committee of experts, consisting of members from GADRA Education and Rhodes University’s Education Department, was formed to oversee the Teacher Awards programme. The committee established seven award categories for the inaugural event, each led by a committee member who headed smaller panels of local experts to identify the most deserving awardees for 2024. The categories were as follows:
- ECD Centre of Excellence – Led by Prof Lise Westaway and Dr Fortunate Gonzo
- Excellence in Foundation Phase Teaching – Led by Kelly Long
- Excellence in Intermediate Phase Teaching – Led by Ingrid Schudel
- Excellence in Senior Phase Teaching – Led by Kavish Jawahar
- Excellence in FET Teaching – Led by Babsy Makombe
- Excellence in Leadership: Primary School – Led by Dr Ashley Westaway
- Excellence in Leadership: High School – Led by Dr Ashley Westaway
Nominations for the awards remained open until early in the second term of 2024. The committee members and their expert panels shortlisted three nominees per category. These shortlisted candidates then submitted portfolios of evidence and underwent school visits by the panels, who evaluated them based on sector-specific criteria. This rigorous selection process culminated in the identification of the 2024 award winners.
The awards were celebrated at a gala evening held in late August 2024 at Hoërskool PJ Olivier. The event, hosted by Makhanda Circle of Unity programme manager, Sakhe Ntlabezo, was a joyous occasion that underscored the importance of recognising and celebrating teaching excellence in Makhanda.
Ntlabezo set a lively tone for the evening, acknowledging the event’s significance. “It’s bold and ambitious in many ways,” he remarked. “But without bold and ambitious goals, it’s easy to get caught in the day-to-day routine of things.”
Dr. Ashley Westaway, in his speech, emphasised the collaborative and inclusive nature of the awards, which were designed to elevate the status of the teaching profession in Makhanda. “Ours is an education city,” he stated, “and our most important asset is our teachers.” He highlighted the importance of credibility, collaboration, and inclusivity in the awards process, ensuring that the awards were objective, reliable, and truly reflective of the excellence in Makhanda’s educational sector.
Professor Mabizela also spoke at the event, expressing his deep appreciation for the teachers being honoured. “Some of you will know that I hold an undying belief that Makhanda is ideally positioned to be the national centre of educational excellence in South Africa, the first education city on the African continent,” he said. He further emphasised the crucial role that teachers play in providing quality education, stating, “The centrality of the teacher in the provision of quality education can never be overemphasised.”
The evening concluded with the announcement of the award winners:
- ECD Centre of Excellence – The Little Red Dragon Pre-School
- Excellence in Foundation Phase Teaching – Ms Mandisa Peter, Tantyi Lower Primary
- Excellence in Intermediate Phase Teaching – Shared by Jade Botha from The Good Shepherd Primary School and Kerry-Lee Knott-Craig from Victoria Girls’ Primary School
- Excellence in Senior Phase Teaching – Ms Zuzeka Ndumiso from Andrew Moyake School of Excellence
- Excellence in FET Teaching – Ms Lungelwa Deliwe from Khutliso Daniels Secondary School
- Excellence in Leadership: Primary School – Mr Tulani Wana, Good Shepherd Primary School
- Excellence in Leadership: High School – Mr Radio Mcuba, Khulitso Daniels Secondary School
The Makhanda Teacher Awards were a resounding success, marking the beginning of what is hoped to become an annual tradition of celebrating the exceptional educators shaping the future of Makhanda and solidifying the city’s reputation as a centre of educational excellence.
