Launched 22 years ago by the late Professor Kader Asmal, the National Teachers Awards acknowledge and celebrate the extraordinary contribution of teachers to our children, our country and our future. This year Fundi has partnered with the Department of Basic Education (DBE) to sponsor the awards – providing the ideal platform for sector partners to show their collective appreciation of how teachers touch hearts, minds and lives.
Started in 2000, the National Teaching Awards (NTA) are a signature event on regional and national teaching calendars each year. Aligned with World Teacher’s Day – to be celebrated on 5 October – this DBE initiative continues to inspire excellence across the country’s teaching fraternity, recognising their exceptional service; often in very difficult circumstances.
As a key sector player and enabler of teachers and educators, Fundi contributed towards various regional events – including those in Gauteng, the Free State and Mpumalanga. Winners at the national awards ceremony, to be held at the start of October, can look forward to receiving technology devices from Fundi to further their work and beyond their classrooms.
“It’s an honour and privilege to be able to recognise and thank teachers across the country for their hard work and continued contribution to our children’s futures,” says Makgau Dibakwane, the CEO of Fundi. “Teachers and educators remain some of South Africa’s most important heroes: working behind the scenes on a daily basis to support parents in their role of raising their children. Many work in extremely difficult circumstances and against all odds to continue teaching with excellence, finding ways to upskill their students and prepare them to realise their dreams of the future.”
He notes that teachers continue investing in their own studies and self-development; as well as that of their dependents, as can be seen in their loan interactions with Fundi. “To date, teachers have invested in over 6 450 loans with us to a collective value of almost R80m. Of this amount, R18.2m has gone towards their own learning. It is extremely encouraging to see how many of our teachers remain life-long learners themselves: a space we will continue to support them in wherever we can.”
“With teachers the mainstay of our children’s futures, it is critical that we continue to support, inspire and enable them in their work,” says Dibakwane. “The progress our children make in life often relates back to signature moments with teachers that influence their self-belief, determination and how they will use their gifts into the future. We encourage parents and learners across the country to join us in celebrating their contribution and thanking them for it this World Teacher’s Day,” he concludes.
For more information about Fundi, visit www.fundi.co.za.
