NTAs: Meet South Africa’s 2024 Best Teacher

“My influence on learners and in shaping global citizens is exemplified by some of them who transcended beyond barriers of poverty and are now  working in China,Singapore, the United States of America, Kenya ,Rwanda and Mexico.”

These are the words of South Africa’s Best Teacher in this year’s edition of the National Teaching Awards (NTAs), Ntombozuko Mkizwana from the Nelson Mandela School of Science and Technology in the Eastern Cape.

The NTAs are one of the ways in which the Department of Basic Education (DBE) acknowledges and celebrates exceptional educators whose contribution to society extends beyond the classroom. 

These are individuals who improve the country’s educational outlook through mentorship and leadership that focuses on the socio-economic, political, and health challenges that affect learners from various backgrounds.

Born and bred in a remote village of Marombe in Kaktop, her dedication to her work has been exceptional, with a long list of personal and professional achievements.

Her journey as a teacher started 27 years ago at Balizulu Junior Secondary School as a qualified teacher with a Teachers Diploma. Over the years, she attained a Further Diploma in Educational Management and Policy and a B Ed Honours Degree in Educational Management. 

Mkizwana was headhunted to come work at the Nelson Mandela School of Science and Technology in 2014 and she is currently an Acting Principal at the school.

“The Mandela School of Science and Technology  is the only beacon of hope that has  changed the lives of the disadvantaged community of Mvezo and serving that community has given me the opportunity to blossom into the leader that I am,” says Mkizwana.

“Besides being recruited as an English teacher when the school opened, I was also recruited to prepare the learners for trips to the United Kingdom (UK) and Germany, and I was pleased because they excelled during the interviews.”

As a published author who realises that not all learners will excel in the Sciences, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects, she uses literature to inspire all her learners to be open to other career paths.

Some of the literature programmes that she leads include debate, drama,dance music, poetry, story writing and public speaking.

Through these extracurricular activities, her learners have participated in the Children’s Court, Grahamstown National Arts Festival leads , Environmental Awards, Moot court, South African Model United Nations Debate, Debate Competitions by Department of Sports Recreation,Arts and Culture and Nelson Mandela Museum. 

Her work extends outside her school where she is a roving teacher and a mentor for other schools across the different districts of the Eastern Cape province.

She won the 2016 Provincial Award for excellence in Secondary teaching of  English and was crowned the National teacher in secondary teaching of English. 

She has also mentored all the Eastern Cape NTA participants between 2017 and 2023 in the district, cluster and province. 

A firm believer and advocate for women in leadership to be given equitable opportunities that will enable them to be dynamic and versatile, she leads several programmes that enable her to share her leadership skills with others.

Mkizwana teaches at a quintile one school that is located 70 kilometres from town with learners who are renting closer to the school and often do not have enough resources to access the internet. 

“As a product of village education ,it has been my goal to build characters ,offer education of values and build confident leaders who will defeat the stigma and stereotypes of rural vs urban education. My experience in dealing with learners is not just teaching for compliance but I am shaping global citizens and I always have  a strong commitment and drive  to overcome the barriers of race and socio economic backgrounds of learners,” she explains.

Her slogan “My results ,your results ,our results” which she applies through her jigsaw method, an instructional practice of teaching where every learner is responsible for their work, feels valued and never uses the language barrier to prevent them from seeking opportunities builds confidence and fosters unity in the classroom. 

The country’s Best Teacher is inspired by the pioneer behind the NTAs, the late Professor Kader Asmal who recognised the importance of celebrating teachers. She also dedicates her achievements to her late mentor, Mr Toni, the Royal House of Mandela and the community of Mvezo. 

“Having stood the test of times ,enduring the scorching suns and heavy storms during the past two decades and seven years ,it is humbling to know that the sector is recognising my remarkable contribution. It has healed all my wounds and re-energised my undivided commitment in ensuring that the ideals of the National Development Plan are achieved,” adds the overjoyed Mkizwana. 

She further highlighted the need for collaborative efforts that will improve the education of millions of learners. These efforts include high schools being linked to universities and colleges to ensure that learners do not go missing from the system after passing matric. 

According to her, linking high schools with feeder primary schools would further ensure the monitoring of the academic, professional and co-curricula programs to eradicate the blame game for school dropouts. 

“Research on the NDP is also important for us to understand where we are, how far we have transcended and transformed, and whether the set milestones of vision  2030 will be realised.”

“I would also like to motivate all the teachers to  continue  making a difference despite the plethora of challenges they face. May they continue shining bright as the torch bearers of South Africa,” she concludes.