Outstanding Teachers in the Dr. Ruth S. Mompati district were hosted by the District Director, Mojakhumo Dithejane, on Friday, 13 August 2021, in Vryburg, to celebrate their National Teacher’s Awards achievements. The teachers were showered with compliments, words of encouragements and were also walked down memory lane.

The “Year of Charlotte Maxeke” themed prestigious event was rightly held, this year, during a week that South Africa celebrates its National Woman’s Day. A fitting gesture, as 50% of the awardees were women, and their District Manager tipping that scale into the majority. {as pictured above}

In her opening remarks, District Director Dithejane, welcomed those in attendance, including District Officials that were in attendance, as well as the keynote speaker of the day, in former Sub-District Manager, Gopolang Valtyn to mention a few. Mma Dithejane, as she is affectionately known, indicated that the NTA event in the District is not necessarily about the event or the actual pompous celebration, but a project that starts in the classroom. She referred to the Teacher’s Awards as a long term project in Education and a journey of milestones.

“To be an NTA candidate, you should outdo the rest and be smart so that you deserve to participate in the NTA.” Complimented District Director Dithejane. She went on to paint a picture, for those in attendance, of how these Awards are a great developmental career path to stick on and a lifetime investment that can leave a lasting legacy in more ways than one. “Bounce back at 86% and beyond” she says is what the District has committed to as a theme they align themselves to as far as the 2021 Grade 12 performance is concerned, at the end of the year. If the calibre of the Awardees is anything to go by, it seems like the Dr RSM District has a few big machines in their arsenal.

The Keynote Speaker, who is former Naledi Sub District Manager, and self proclaimed “Knowledge Machine” of the Education Sector, Gopolang Valtyn, encouraged the participants and nominees to be champions, talk, walk and breathe like a champions. “You should prepare lessons and teach like a champions.” Said Valtyn.

Taking a trip around memory line, Former Sub District Manager Valtyn, reminded those in attendance of the very same developmental path that was made mention of in the District Director’s opening remarks. He reminded them that they need to follow the footprints of who he referred to as District champions. “Ms Dithejane, District Director as she was an NTA winner at National Level in 2013 and Circuit Manager and Ms Mpho Chabaesele who was the Kharakhude National winner in 2018. They made efforts and they were never afraid.” Proclaim Valtyn.

The Vryburg Independent Post (The VIP) Team would like to acknowledge and make a special mention of the ever hardworking and consistent Principal of Vryburg High School, Barry Fulani. Principal Fuleni achieved position 1 with respective to the Lifetime and will be proceeding to Provincial level.

During the award ceremony, the District’s winners (number 1, 2, 3) received some trophies, individual presents and also a token of appreciation from NAPTOSA.

-The VIP Team

-Dr RSM Education