The winners of the Woolworths and MySchool, in partnership with the Department of Basic Education, SHERO awards were announced on World Teacher’s Day earlier this month to highlight the immense difference that teachers can make in young lives. 

Each year, the competition recognises hero teachers that have selflessly stepped up to shape the lives of learners for the better every day and this year over 5000 entries for deserving teachers were received.  In attendance at the awards event, Minster Angelina Motshekga on addressing the awards ceremony said, ‘’Our teachers are indeed the true embodiment of the triumph of the human spirit. Having faced significant strife at the worst times of Covid 19, they not only showed commitment and dedication to teaching under those difficult and at times life-threatening circumstances, but also heeded Government’s call for them to persevere and do their best to preserve the gains made in Basic Education over the past few decades’.”

According to Pieter Twine, General Manager of the Woolworths Making the Difference and MySchool programmes, this is one of the biggest initiatives to involve South Africans in the global celebration of teachers.  He said, “The Teachers Day SHERO Awards is an opportunity for South Africans to come together to recognise and reward their hero teachers – to put them in the national spotlight so that they are properly acknowledged for the way they touch the lives of children.” 

Congratulations to the national winners in the five different category winners, who each received a laptop, R10 000 cash reward for themselves as well as R 5 000 cash for their school.

Foundation phase category winner: Mrs Judith Motsusi from Mafikeng Primary School in the North-West province The Intermediate phase category winner: Ms. Sherylee Vermaak from Robert Hicks Primary School in Pretoria The Senior phase category winner: Mr JP Botha from Alexander Road High School in Port ElizabethThe Further Education and Training category winner: Ms Celestine Stuurman from Hoërskool Mclachlan in Joubertina in the Eastern CapeThe Special Needs category winner is: From KZN, Mrs. Corrine Hufkie from St. Raphael's Special School in Durban

“We congratulate our top five category winners for inspiring learners and for going above and beyond to make a difference in their schools and communities across South Africa.

We deeply value the wonderful difference that a great teacher makes in the lives of many thousands of learners,” concluded Pieter Twine, Woolworths’ General Manager of Woolworths Education programme and MySchool. 

“We salute all the finalists of this prestigious competition, and express a special congratulations to all our winners, who went beyond their call of duty to ensure that teaching and learning continues for the sake of our children, our future leaders,’’ added Motshekga.