The Vhembe District managed to grab awards in six of the 13 categories at the Limpopo Provincial Teachers Awards, which was hosted by the Limpopo Department of Basic Education at the Ranch Hotel in Polokwane on 9 September.

The theme this year was “Resilience in the pursuit of excellence”, where MEC for Basic Education Ms Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya awarded and acknowledged all the best teachers in the province.

The 13 categories included Excellence in Grade R Teaching, Primary School Teaching and Leadership, and Excellence in Maths and Science. The provincial winners will compete against teachers from other provinces at the National Teachers Awards in October this year.

Ms Nkashaka Constance Mabaso, the principal of Rivoni School for the Blind, received an award in the Excellence in Special Needs Leadership category, and Ms Visi Muriel Mbulaheni from Fulufheni Special School in the Excellence in Special Needs Teaching category.

The other categories in which the Vhembe District’s teachers received awards are as follows:

Mr Takalani Cedrick Masakona of Tshedza Comprehensive Primary - Excellence in Primary School Leadership; Mr Nditsheni Percyval Balibali of Tshilala Secondary School - Excellence in Secondary School Leadership, and Mr Tshilidzi Lethole of Mariadze Primary School - Excellence in Teaching Natural Sciences (GET). Mr Mbulaheni Festus Maluma received the Kader Asmal Lifetime Achievement Excellence Award.

Speaking to the Limpopo Mirror, Rivoni School for the Blind’s principal, Constance Mabaso, said she was very happy and honoured. “This award is a result of teamwork at the learning institution, in collaboration with different stakeholders, including non-governmental organisations.”