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The Gauteng Provincial Government has identified 10 police stations to be prioritised for support in its gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) plan.

This was announced by Premier Panyaza Lesufi during a media briefing following a meeting with the province’s mayors, municipal managers and law enforcement agencies to assess and strengthen the provincial response to GBVF.

The 10 stations have recorded the highest rape cases, and these stations include Rietgat, Alexandra, Mamelodi, Diepsloot, Ivory Park, Dobsonville, Redhill, Midrand and Thembisa, amongst others.

“We are of the view that if we can’t put additional resources in terms of policing, victim empowerment and all related issues…including dockets in these police stations, we would have failed the call that the President has given us.

“That’s why we have to ringfence these police stations and provide the relevant support that is needed,” Lesufi said.

Additionally, consolidated support the provincial government has given includes the strengthening of seven Thuthuzela Care Centres and providing support to sexual offence courts, which house the 144 victim friendly rooms.

“We are also bringing in the 19 Medical Legal Clinics to assist in preventing the loss of forensic evidence.

“In addition, we are increasing and amplifying SAPS [South African Police Service] GBV desks to deal with cases swiftly. A total of 1022 GBV brigades will be deployed across 122 high-risk police precincts with tools of trade. We are adding 56 social workers within the Department of Social Development,” Lesufi explained.

Provincial response to four-point plan

Lesufi said the provincial government will implement President Cyril Ramaphosa’s four-point plan to fight GBVF with the addition of a fifth commitment to places of safety.

The President’s four-point plan was announced this week and includes:
–    SAPS and the Justice Department to undertake a national case-recovery operation focused on unresolved murders, attempted murders, rapes and serious sexual offences involving women and children.

–    Minister of Police, the National Commissioner of Police and the relevant forensic authorities to present, within 60 days, a funded plan to reduce forensic backlogs and establish clear turnaround standards for priority gender-based violence and femicide cases.

–    Every municipality must begin a women’s safety audit without delay. High-risk areas must be identified, working with provincial governments and the police.

–    Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, working with the Ministers of Health, Social Development, Police and Cooperative Governance, to submit to Cabinet within 60 days a coordinated legislative and enforcement package to reduce alcohol-related violence.

READ | Four-point plan to aid the GBVF fight

Additionally, the provincial government will be adding support to safe places for survivors of GBVF.

“We are mapping the shelters and identifying what, as a province, we call green doors. Places of safety for women, for children and an audit of all buildings, staffing and funding gaps related to this kind of support.

“I can safely confirm that we’ve got a draft plan that we’ve put on the table with overwhelming support from all participants…from municipalities, provincial government and national government. We are of the view that this plan responds to the President’s call,” Lesufi said.

Three additional issues that will be looked at include the tracking of missing people, providing victim support for the families of those missing or unaccounted for and the pooling of an inter-governmental resource team to do tracking and supporting.

“What we have… [is to] establish an Inter-Governmental Committee on Disaster Management where we are coordinating everything related to local government.

“We’ve also established an Inter-Government Committee on Policy where we are bringing all the resources of law enforcement agencies. We also have an Inter-Government Relations Committee that was monitoring issues of water and energy [and] now we are introducing a new committee on [GBVF].

“On this, we have agreed to meet every Wednesday to take stock of directives that the President has given us,” he said.

Not starting from scratch

The Premier noted that the province has had an anti-GBVF plan and is not building systems from the ground up.

“What we are doing now is auditing the case numbers that are based, tracking individual recovery action plans, following up on police station failures, especially on lost dockets, protection orders, bail-related safety and family communication, and providing additional support to the affected municipalities in particular, to the municipality of Ekurhuleni.

“All municipalities agreed to provide an audit, in the next seven days, on the following areas that have been identified: broken streetlights, overgrown spaces and poorly secured parks, abandoned or hijacked buildings, unsafe routes, taxi ranks and facilities and areas that will assist us to get evidence in terms of CCTV cameras and other support systems” he explained.

A technical team has also been established to also draw national departments and entities closer that may provide additional support to the province.

“This, we believe, will ensure that our action plan on dealing with the directives of the President will be relevant, up-to-date, up to speed, measurable but most importantly, that each and every member of society can track what we are committing ourselves to do as the provincial government, municipalities and national government.”

At the same media briefing, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni reflected on some of the cases of women killed in Ekurhuleni, noting that reports are “indicating a trend of victims being killed by people close to them”.

“We have pleaded that the police…can only police outside our yards. We have called on the public and families to report incidents of abuse of women. It is for that reason the President has called for dialogues for men and families.

“What we are concerned about as government is the high number of crimes targeted at women by people closest to them. But also, we are working to make sure that we create public spaces that are safe for women to exist [and] also create shelters for women to go to for help and opportunities for women to be supported,” Ntshavheni said.

Help

She added that both the GBVF Command Centre and Crime Stop numbers are fully operational.

Members of the public can report information through the Crime Stop toll-free number, 08600 10111, or contact the 24-hour Gender-Based Violence Command Centre on 0800 428 428.

The GBV Command Centre can also be reached by sending a Please Call Me to 1207867#, SMSing “HELP” to 31531, or contacting Skype: Helpme GBV. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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While progress has been made in education, skills development and youth employment initiatives, challenges around implementation, coordination, funding and accountability continue to limit outcomes for young people, according to the mid-term evaluation of the National Youth Policy 2020–2030.

The findings were highlighted during the launch of the Mid-Term Implementation Evaluation Report of the National Youth Policy in Kempton Park, Johannesburg, on Friday.

Delivering a keynote address, Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga said the evaluation confirmed that the policy remained relevant and aligned with the National Development Plan (NDP), Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) but stressed the need to accelerate implementation to translate its objectives into meaningful opportunities for young people.

“The central finding of this evaluation is both encouraging and demanding. The National Youth Policy remains highly relevant… our challenge is no longer to restate that vision, but to translate it into consistent delivery at scale,” Chikunga said.

The evaluation recorded progress across all five pillars of the policy, including expanded access to education and skills development, the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative, the National Youth Service, and the SA-Youth platform.

However, Chikunga said these achievements need to be strengthened to ensure that education and training translated into economic participation, entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihoods.

“These achievements deserve recognition, but they must not become grounds for complacency. They must be the foundation on which we accelerate delivery,” the Minister said.

The evaluation comes amid persistent youth unemployment, with nearly 44% of young people not in employment, education, or training. Young women, particularly in rural communities, remain disproportionately affected by limited access to education and economic opportunities.

The findings also highlighted challenges facing young graduates seeking employment, young entrepreneurs struggling to access finance and markets, and young people experiencing poverty, substance abuse, violence and social exclusion.

The report further raised concerns about mental health and psychosocial wellbeing, noting that although interventions were in place, their reach remained uneven.

“Perhaps the most important conclusion of this evaluation is that South Africa does not suffer from a shortage of youth policies. Our principal challenge is implementation,” Chikunga said.

She noted institutional fragmentation, uneven service delivery, weak coordination, insufficient accountability, inconsistent monitoring and budgetary constraints as key obstacles to achieving the policy’s objectives.

As the country enters the second half of the policy’s implementation period, Chikunga outlined five priorities, including strengthening and adequately resourcing youth development institutions, institutionalising meaningful youth participation, expanding pathways into economic opportunities, prioritising youth wellbeing, and improving accountability for results.

The Minister also emphasised the need to strengthen the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), describing it as a key link between national youth policy and the lived realities of young people.

“It [agency] must therefore be strengthened in governance, organisational capability, provincial and local reach, digital delivery, partnerships and monitoring capacity. Crucially, the NYDA must receive adequate, predictable and sustainable funding, aligned with a clear mandate and measurable outcomes, so that it can expand enterprise support, skills pathways, youth-service opportunities and access to information at the scale our national challenge demands,” the Minister said.

She said government and its partners need to expand new pathways into employment and entrepreneurship, particularly in the digital economy, artificial intelligence, creative industries, the green economy, agriculture, manufacturing and the oceans economy.

“This requires stronger transitions from learning to earning, procurement opportunities for youth-owned enterprises and partnerships that connect young people to capital, markets and mentorship.

The Minister further called for mental health services, psychosocial support, safer communities and community resilience to be prioritised as essential components of youth development.

She said institutions responsible for youth programmes need to strengthen monitoring and ensure that public funds are accounted for and translate into measurable improvements in young people’s lives.

Chikunga said youth development requires a coordinated effort involving government, business, educational institutions, civil society, development partners, families and young people themselves.

The launch of the evaluation coincides with the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Youth Uprisings, which Chikunga said served as a reminder of the role young people played in shaping South Africa’s history and the responsibility to ensure that the current generation had access to quality education, economic opportunities and safe communities.

Chikunga called for the evaluation to serve as a basis for a national compact that will move youth development from fragmented initiatives to coordinated delivery; from short-term interventions to sustainable pathways.  – SAnews.gov.za
 

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The Border Management Authority (BMA) has reaffirmed its zero-tolerance approach to fraud, corruption and misconduct at South Africa’s borders and ports of entry.

“Today, under the auspices of the BMIACF, we reaffirm our zero-tolerance approach to fraud, corruption and misconduct at South Africa’s borders and ports of entry,” BMA Commissioner, Dr Michael Masiapato said.

This is as the Border Management and Immigration Anti-Corruption Forum (BMIACF) has taken a conscious decision to bring the campaign to airports and sea ports.

The forum, which is chaired by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and seeks to proactively root out corruption from South Africa’s ports of entry, held its quarterly anti-corruption campaign at OR Tambo International Airport on Friday.

The forum also seeks to proactively combat corruption at South Africa’s ports of entry through strengthened collaboration between border management, law-enforcement and other government institutions.

“We are no longer limiting ourselves to our land borders. We are bringing this campaign to our airports and, in the next quarter, we will be going to one of our sea ports, before returning to another airport,” Masiapato said.

He added that corruption does not discriminate by port of entry.

“Corruption does not discriminate by port of entry, and neither can we. Our strategy must be as dynamic and integrated as the threats we face.

“This forum is our collective information-sharing platform, our coordinated investigative hub, and our shield for whistleblowers. It ensures that no corrupt official can hide between the cracks of different agencies.”

Progress made

Masiapato said there has been significant progress made by participating organisations in combating fraud and corruption in the border and immigration sector.

“In the last quarter, the BMA handled 57 labour-relations and disciplinary cases involving internal-control breaches, fraud, corruption and other misconduct affecting organisational integrity.”

Of these, 17 resulted in dismissals, two officials received final warnings, one official was suspended without pay, and two officials were acquitted because of insufficient evidence. 

“A further 33 cases remain in the disciplinary process. Most of these cases involve employees who were working in this port of entry (OR Tambo),” he said.

During the same period, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) finalised 42 cases involving gross misconduct, aiding and abetting, identity-document fraud, and financial misconduct. 

“As the accounting authority, I do not get joy from signing suspension or dismissal letters. Every time I sign those letters, it pains me, because it is not only the official who is going to suffer; it is his or her family that suffers the most. 

“A suspension or dismissal does not end with the individual; it reaches into the home and affects children, spouses, parents and dependents who had nothing to do with the misconduct,” Masiapato said.

Masiapato urged every official in the border and immigration sector to refrain from fraud and corruption.  

“Protect your job, protect your family, and protect the integrity of this organisation. The consequences are simply not worth it,” he said.

The SIU’s Acting Chief Operations Officer, Zodwa Xesibe, said there is a need to investigate acts of fraud and corruption with the understanding that corruption is not a victimless crime. 

“When public money is stolen, diverted or improperly spent, somebody ultimately pays the price,” Xesibe said.

She said no anti-corruption strategy can succeed without leadership, adding that leadership is also demonstrated by what happens when misconduct occurs. 

“Of greater importance is the changing face of fraud and corruption. Technology has transformed government operations and created enormous opportunities for efficiency. It has also created new opportunities for fraud and corruption,” she said.

Xesibe said there is a need for better use of data, strong information sharing, digital forensic capabilities and institutions capable of identifying patterns and connecting information across organisational boundaries.

“The fight against fraud and corruption is sometimes described as a battle. It is indeed. But it is also something more profound. It is a test of the kind of state we want to build. A state where public resources are protected, where institutions are accountable. We all have an important role in this.

“We all have an important role in this broader anti-corruption architecture. The effectiveness of the anti-corruption architecture is dependent on cooperation of our institutions and public entities,” she said. 

Impact

Also taking part in the programme was an offender serving a 10-year prison sentence for fraud.

Hlengiwe Khumalo was employed by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) when she committed the fraud.

“I was working well with a good salary, but unfortunately I got bad influence from friends and ended up committing fraud, and I ended up [being] arrested,” she said.

Khumalo said what she did affected her children and her parents very badly.
“I did not have the courage to tell my parents about what was happening,” she said.

Khumalo lost her cars and houses and also had to pay back all the money she stole from SARS.
The campaign was led by Masiapato, together with the Home Affairs Director-General, Tommy Makhode and representatives from other government institutions. 

The programme included the public signing of an anti-corruption pledge by the participating leaders, engagements with officials, testimonies from incarcerated offenders who have been sentenced for fraud and corruption-related offences, as well as a presentation by the Hawks on efforts to combat corruption at ports of entry.– SAnews.gov.za

 

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KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has called on political parties and candidates to uphold peace, tolerance and responsible political conduct as the country moves closer to the 2026 Local Government Elections.

Ntuli delivered an address at the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Electoral Code of Conduct signing and ballot draw, hosted by the Electoral Commission of South Africa at the Olive Convention Centre in Durban on Tuesday.

The ceremony marked an important milestone on the road to the 4 November 2026 Local Government Elections, providing political contestants with an opportunity to publicly commit themselves to peaceful, ethical and fair electoral competition.

The Premier said elections are important to South Africa’s democratic system and provide citizens with an opportunity to exercise their right to choose leaders who will govern closest to their communities.

Ntuli reflected on South Africa’s democratic journey and warned that political assassinations and violence involving public representatives remain deeply concerning.

He said the establishment of structures, such as the Political Killings Task Team, demonstrates the weight of the challenge confronting the country’s democratic project.

The Premier urged political parties and individual contestants to recognise their responsibility to ensure that electoral competition remains orderly and peaceful.

“Political parties and individual politicians, however, as they seek to be chosen by the electorate, owe the country an orderly and peaceful contest,” Ntuli said.

He emphasised that adherence to the Electoral Code of Conduct represents more than legal compliance but constitutes a public commitment by political contestants to conduct themselves responsibly throughout the election period.

The Electoral Code of Conduct aims to promote conditions conducive to free and fair elections, including political tolerance, freedom to campaign and open public debate.

Ntuli also warned against political rhetoric or conduct that may contribute to violence, stressing the responsibility of political leadership to promote restraint and peaceful democratic competition.

He said State institutions, including the Electoral Commission and the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, also carried an obligation to create an environment in which voters could exercise their democratic choices freely. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Government has reaffirmed its commitment to confronting gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) with urgency through a four-point recovery plan announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday, to strengthen the national response.

The plan seeks to strengthen the systems of policing, investigation, forensic processing, prosecution and community safety required to protect women and children and ensure that victims and survivors have access to justice.

Among the measures is a national case-recovery operation targeting unresolved cases involving murders, attempted murders, rape and serious sexual offences against women and children.

The recovery plan also includes measures to reduce forensic backlogs and improve turnaround times for priority GBVF cases.

In a statement issued by the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) on Thursday, Government said the measures were aimed at strengthening the criminal justice response and ensuring that cases involving GBVF are dealt with more effectively.

The intervention comes amid continued efforts to strengthen the State’s response to GBVF and improve the ability of law-enforcement and justice institutions to investigate cases, process evidence and bring perpetrators to justice.

Communities urged to play their part

Government has also called for heightened community vigilance and participation in local structures to help make neighbourhoods safer.

Communities have been urged to work with law-enforcement agencies by reporting criminal activity, providing information that can assist investigations and supporting survivors of GBVF.

“The fight against GBVF and crime requires Government to act decisively, institutions to perform effectively, communities to remain vigilant and every sector of society to reject violence,” Government said.

The call extends to all sectors of society to challenge attitudes and behaviours that contribute to violence against women and children.

Government has particularly called on men and boys to play an active role in confronting GBVF by speaking out against violence, challenging harmful behaviour and rejecting notions of masculinity that normalise domination, abuse and violence.

“Silence and turning a blind eye to abuse cannot become normalised,” Government said.

Government said South Africans must stand together against GBVF, crime, intimidation and violence, while exercising their constitutional rights peacefully and within the law. – SAnews.gov.za

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Higher Education and Training Deputy Minister Nomusa Dube-Ncube has urged graduates of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges to use their technical skills to create employment, establish businesses and contribute to economic development in rural communities.

Dube-Ncube made the call during the 2026 Graduation ceremony at Mthashana TVET College in Vryheid Engineering Campus, KwaZulu-Natal on Thursday.

Addressing the graduates, Dube-Ncube emphasised that TVET is central to building a skilled workforce and addressing the country’s economic needs.

She encouraged graduates to see their qualifications as a stepping stone to further learning, entrepreneurship and opportunities in the global labour market.

“Being rural is your address, not your destiny. Rurality does not condemn anyone to poverty, provided you choose to grab the opportunities that are available,” Dube-Ncube said.

The Deputy Minister highlighted the role of artisans and technicians in keeping the economy running, noting that skills acquired at TVET colleges are essential to sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, mining, construction and services.

She reiterated the need to change the perception that TVET colleges are a second choice for students who cannot access universities, pointing to countries such as Germany, Switzerland and Singapore, where vocational education is an established and respected pathway to employment and economic advancement.

“No nation has become prosperous without a strong, respected technical and vocational education system. Developed countries did not become developed and then build TVET systems. They built strong TVET systems, and that is part of how they became developed,” Dube-Ncube said.

The Deputy Minister said government has placed TVET colleges at the centre of its skills development agenda, with President Cyril Ramaphosa announcing the strengthening of the institutions as primary sites for occupational training and artisan development, during his 2026 State of the Nation Address.

She said the Department of Higher Education and Training’s 2026/27 Annual Performance Plan is targeting more than 520 000 enrolments at TVET colleges, including the creation of 91 800 workplace-based learning opportunities, and support for 22 000 artisan certifications.

Dube-Ncube also highlighted the importance of partnerships between colleges and industry for workplace-based learning in preparing graduates for labour market demands.

The Deputy Minister also highlighted South Africa’s recent participation in the WorldSkills International Competition in Shanghai, China, where 29 young people competed across 27 skills categories.

Among the achievements included Matthew Bowen, who won a silver medal in Aircraft Maintenance, making South Africa the first African member country to secure a medal in the category in the competition’s 75-year history.

Bowen, who received training from Intelek Training and Consultation at Rand Airport, was also undertaking workplace training at Solenta Aviation while competing.

Dube-Ncube said his achievement demonstrates the value of combining technical education with practical workplace experience and shows that young people from rural communities can also compete at the highest international levels.

She challenged management at Mthashana TVET College to identify talented students early and enter them into regional and national skills competitions, with the aim of preparing them for international platforms.

“I want to see a Mthashana student wearing the South African colours at the next WorldSkills Competition. Why not? Why not you?” she said.

The Deputy Minister also encouraged graduates to explore entrepreneurship, particularly in agriculture, tourism and agro processing, to stimulate economic activity and create jobs within their communities.

She said the region has significant agricultural potential and urged young entrepreneurs to process and package locally produced goods rather than allowing raw products to leave the district and return as more expensive finished products.

Dube-Ncube also encouraged graduates to make use of support offered by the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency and the National Youth Development Agency, including training, mentorship and financial assistance.

She further urged young people to embrace digital opportunities, noting that access to the internet has created new possibilities for rural entrepreneurs to acquire skills, market products internationally and work remotely.

The Deputy Minister called on lecturers to continuously upgrade their skills to keep pace with changes in the world of work, including artificial intelligence, automation, renewable energy, electric vehicles and digital systems.

She also challenged lecturers to pursue professional qualifications, participate in industry placements, and embrace digital and blended teaching methods to ensure that students acquire relevant, up-to-date skills. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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Teachers from Limpopo and the Free State have been recognised at the 26th National Teaching Awards for innovative classroom practices, inclusive education and leadership that extends beyond the traditional classroom. 

The educators are Fulufhedzani Zwivhuya Mulaudzi of Daniel Mubva Primary School in Limpopo, Taetso Evidance Mmako of Molamo Primary School in Limpopo, Tshepang Confidence Olifant of Pholoho Special School in the Free State and Hendrik Jacobus Kachelhoffer of Hoërskool Trio High School in the Free State.

The awards were held at the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre in Benoni, Gauteng, on Thursday under the theme: “Uniting for Excellence: Elevating Achievement, Empowering Educators to Shape South Africa’s Future.”

The awards are held annually by the Department of Basic Education to recognise and celebrate educators whose dedication, innovation and leadership strengthen teaching and learning across South Africa’s diverse schooling system.

Mulaudzi, who was recognised for Excellence in Teaching Mathematics (GET), uses interactive activities and digital resources to support learner understanding and participation.

In her submission for the awards, she indicated her lessons are designed to accommodate learners at different levels, challenging advanced learners while providing additional support to those who need it.

The approach has helped improve learner participation, confidence and overall performance in Mathematics, while encouraging learners to engage actively in problem-solving.

Beyond the classroom, Mulaudzi serves on the Mathematics Circuit Committee and assists the Departmental Head with moderation and (Quality Management System (QMS) processes.

She is also involved in several school structures, including the Benevolence Committee, Sporting Committee and Fundraising and Tourism Committee.

Natural Sciences

In the Natural Sciences category, Mmako was recognised for her creativity in ensuring that learners understand the subject and participate actively.

The Molamo Primary School educator uses videos and digital tools to diversify her lessons, while encouraging learners to participate in co-curricular Natural Sciences activities.

As the school’s ICT pioneer, Mmako is also driving its transformation into a smart school, despite limited resources.

She has further contributed to teacher development as a mentor to younger educators and as a coordinator for South African Council for Educators (SACE) Continuing Professional Teacher Development.

Her work has also helped forge links between the school and the private sector, including bringing partners on board who have helped expose learners to high-profile guests and opportunities.

Championing inclusion

For Olifant, who received recognition for Excellence in Inclusive Education Teaching, the focus is on ensuring that learners are seen for their potential rather than defined by disability.

In her submission for the awards, she indicated her teaching journey began with English at Navalsig Secondary School in 2022 before she moved to Wilgehof Primary, where she taught Grades 1 to 6, including learners with special educational needs.
The experience deepened her passion for inclusive education.

Since joining Pholoho Special Needs in 2024, where she teaches Foundation Phase and mentors learners, Olifant said her belief in every learner’s potential has continued to grow. In her submission for the awards, Olifant said she entered because she wants learners seen for who they are and what they can become, not defined by disability.

She said one of the most rewarding aspects of her work was seeing learners she had nurtured find their voices, embrace leadership and pursue their dreams.

Leadership beyond the classroom

Kachelhoffer, who received the award for Excellence in Secondary School Leadership, has built a career in education spanning more than two decades.

His journey began in 2005 as a student teacher at Harrismith High School. He progressed to Head of Department in 2015 and Deputy Principal in 2016 before becoming Principal of Die Afrikaanse Hoërskool Kroonstad in 2019.

Following its amalgamation with Kroonstad High School, he became Principal of Trio High School in 2022.

In his submission, Kachelhoffer said his leadership is driven by integrity, teamwork, high expectations and a passion for developing young people. His work at the school includes creating opportunities for academic, sporting, cultural, technical and agricultural development.

About the National Teaching Awards

The award which were addressed by President Cyril Ramaphosa, aim to focus public attention on the positive aspects of basic education, enhance the public image of the teaching profession, and recognise, appreciate and promote excellence in teaching performance.

Finalists from across the country were recognised in a range of categories, including Excellence in Grade R Teaching; Excellence in Primary School Teaching; Excellence in Primary School Leadership; Excellence in Teaching Mathematics (FET); Excellence in Secondary School Teaching; Excellence in Secondary School Leadership; the Kader Asmal Lifetime Achievement Award; and the National Best Teacher Award. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Limpopo Physical Sciences educator Abiud Prosper Baloyi has been recognised at the 26th National Teaching Awards for his commitment to learner achievement and his role in helping turn around his school’s academic performance.

Baloyi, who teaches Grades 10 to 12 at Mugwazeni Secondary School, has eight years of experience teaching Physical Sciences.

His commitment extends beyond normal classroom hours, with the educator conducting extra classes in the mornings, afternoons and on Saturdays to help learners master the subject.

His efforts have contributed to strong results, with the school recording a 100% result with a distinction in Physical Sciences in the first term of 2026.

Baloyi also serves as a Grade 12 project manager. Since taking on the role in 2024, Mugwazeni Secondary School has moved from chronic underperformance to being a performing school.

Beyond his teaching and school leadership responsibilities, in his submission for the awards, Baloyi indicated he chairs the Physical Sciences Professional Learning Community of the N’wanedzi circuit and serves as secretary of the School Governing Body teacher component.

He also founded and manages the Progressive Learning Science Academy, a community programme providing Physical Sciences extra classes to Grade 8 to 12 learners from the N’wanedzi and Xihoko circuits.

His influence has extended to former learners, with some of those who matriculated from Mugwazeni now studying for Bachelor of Education degrees and preparing to become Physical Sciences educators.

Baloyi is also involved in several school and community structures, including the Mugwazeni Development Committee.

His contribution to teaching, leadership and community education earned him recognition in the Physical Sciences category at this year’s National Teaching Awards.

About the National Teaching Awards

President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the 26th National Teaching Awards at the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre in Benoni, Gauteng, on Thursday.

The awards were held under the theme: “Uniting for Excellence: Elevating Achievement, Empowering Educators to Shape South Africa’s Future.”

The National Teaching Awards are hosted annually by the Department of Basic Education to recognise and celebrate educators whose dedication, innovation and leadership strengthen teaching and learning across South Africa’s diverse schooling system.

The awards aim to focus public attention on the positive aspects of basic education, enhance the public image of the teaching profession, and recognise, appreciate and promote excellence in teaching performance.

Finalists from across the country were recognised in a range of categories, including Excellence in Grade R Teaching; Excellence in Primary School Teaching; Excellence in Primary School Leadership; Excellence in Teaching Mathematics (FET); Excellence in Secondary School Teaching; Excellence in Secondary School Leadership; the Kader Asmal Lifetime Achievement Award; and the National Best Teacher Award. – SAnews.gov.za

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Forty-three years in education have earned Gauteng educator Duduzile Constance Nkuna the Kader Asmal Lifetime Achievement Award at the 26th National Teaching Awards. 

Nkuna, who is from Sekampaneng Primary School, began her teaching career in 1983 and has served as a teacher, Departmental Head, Deputy Principal and Principal.

Hosted annually by the Department of Basic Education, the awards recognise and celebrate educators whose dedication, innovation and leadership strengthen teaching and learning across South Africa’s diverse schooling system.

The award ceremony was held at the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre in Benoni, Gauteng, on Thursday, and was addressed by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Nkuna’s career includes 21 years at PL (post level) 1 level, 10 years at PL2, one year at PL3 and 12 years at PL5 level, where she currently serves as a principal.

She spent 10 years as Departmental Head for English, Social Science and Life Skills and also served as an Annual National Assessments (ANA) Examiner at the Department of Basic Education.

Her journey began in the Foundation Phase, where she taught Grades 1 to 3.

“I began in the Foundation Phase (Grade 1-3) where I learned the true definition of teaching – patience, phonics and nurturing,” she said in her submission for the awards.

She later moved to the Intermediate Phase, teaching English, Social Science and Life Skills, and also served as a teacher leader in Tshwane North, including training educators in the North West on policy implementation.

Over more than four decades, Nkuna has taught through significant changes in the education system, from the former Department of Education and Training (DET) system through Outcomes-Based Education (OBE), Revised National Curriculum Statement (RNCS) and Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS).

“The curriculum changes from the old DET system, through OBE, RNCS, CAPS; I learned that changes are constant and an educator is a lifelong learner. The core values that have shaped me are the learners, teaching in overcrowded, under-resourced classrooms that methodology must adapt to reality and creativity can replace resources,” she said in her submission.

Legacy

Working with parents, communities and colleagues has taught her that teaching was about more than delivering subject content.

“After 43 years, I am no longer just teaching subjects – I am building people, and this is the legacy I carry,” she said.

Despite her long service, Nkuna continues to place emphasis on preparation, punctuality and compassion. She still “arrive[s] first, prepare every lesson and treat every learner as my own child.”

She also believes in ensuring that no learner is left behind, differentiating her teaching, providing remedial support after hours and mentoring fellow educators.

“I am most proud of turning around struggling learners,” she said.

Many of the teachers she has mentored have since progressed to become Heads of Department and principals themselves.

Nkuna said the award gives recognition to decades of service that often goes unseen.

“I entered this category not for recognition, but to give voice to 43 years of dedicated service often unseen in our profession,” she said in her submission.

For her, the recognition is also a message to the learners, colleagues, school and community she has served throughout her career.

“This recognition shows my learners that hard work and good values are rewarded; for my colleagues it affirms that long service and integrity matter, and for my school and community it proves that quality education can thrive even in under-resourced contexts and that a teacher can be a pillar of the community for over four decades,” Nkuna said.

About the awards

The awards aim to focus public attention on the positive aspects of basic education, enhance the public image of the teaching profession, and recognise, appreciate and promote excellence in teaching performance.

Finalists from across the country were recognised in a range of categories, including Excellence in Grade R Teaching; Excellence in Primary School Teaching; Excellence in Primary School Leadership; Excellence in Teaching Mathematics (FET); Excellence in Secondary School Teaching; Excellence in Secondary School Leadership; the Kader Asmal Lifetime Achievement Award; and the National Best Teacher Award.

In his address, President Ramaphosa called for greater investment in teachers and stronger support for educators, adding that better educational outcomes depend on creating the conditions in which teachers can focus on teaching. 

READ | President calls for greater investment in teachers

The ceremony was held under the theme: “Uniting for Excellence: Elevating Achievement, Empowering Educators to Shape South Africa’s Future.”
– SAnews.gov.za

 

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