Hendrik Opperman winner of the Gauteng province awards for 24th Annual National Teaching Awards with MEC, Matome Chiloane. Picture Supplied by Gauteng Department of Education
A deputy principal who is transforming the lives of children with disabilities at Isizwe Setjhaba Special School in Sedibeng, Gauteng scooped the provincial award for excellence in special needs teaching.
Hendrik Opperman will compete with teachers from all provinces at the 24th Annual National Teaching Awards (NTAs) ceremony at Birchwood Hotel in the City of Ekurhuleni tomorrow.
Speaking to the Diary Series of Deaf People, Opperman explained that he won the provincial award because, “I was trying my utmost best to display the good work that the school has been doing and the huge amount of progress that has been made since the school opened. Again, using the awards as another platform to promote the school and be a voice for the learners. The other reason is also the opportunity to reflect and view the achievements and progress of the learners and staff during such a short time from when the school opened to now.”
Opperman, who is also a woodwork teacher said what sets him apart from other teachers is that:
Opperman believes that he will win the national award tomorrow. "I have put in all that I have at the presentations and interviews, and it will mean the world for me if I would be the winner of my category. But all would not have been possible if not by the Grace of God. I am humbled by the learners that we work with every day and it will be a great achievement for me to be their representative at the National Awards. But let’s see what the outcome will be on Saturday," said Opperman.
The President of the South African National Association for Specialised Education (Sanase), Fanny Mashaphu said the organisation is on a mission to improve the quality of education offered in special needs institutions and therefore encourage all educators to experience the NTAs.
“No teacher can participate in the NTAs and come out the same. This platform is a guarantee for improvement and empowerment. Participation is an eye opener as it definitely influences school and individual performance. Participation in the NTAs guarantees exchange of best practices through learning from the best in the province and country. Participation is performance centred and future shaping. Awards are personally fulfilling and moral and confidence boosting,” said Mashaphu.
The Gauteng Education, Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation MEC, Matome Chiloane said teachers are not merely facilitators of knowledge, but they are the architects of the future, nurturing minds, fostering dreams, and inspiring the leaders of tomorrow.
Honouring teachers during the Gauteng provincial awards held at Indaba Hotel in Fourways on Tuesday, Chiloane highlighted that they are “individuals who wake up every day determined to leave a lasting mark on the world through the lives you touch in your classrooms. When we speak of dedication, innovation, and passion, we are describing more than qualities. We are describing the heartbeat of every teacher here today. You embody these attributes, and in doing so, you create environments where curiosity thrives, and the love for learning is ignited.
Chiloane said, “I, for one, cannot imagine a world where teachers do not exist. A world without the guiding hands that shape the minds of tomorrow. A world without you—the ones who carry the torch of knowledge, who inspire the dreamers, the thinkers, and the doers of the future. Without teachers, where would we be? Albert Einstein, was often labelled a slow learner as a child, was once dismissed by many of his teachers. Yet one saw the spark in him and encouraged his curiosity. That simple act of belief opened the door for Einstein to pursue his groundbreaking work, forever changing the world of science. Like Einstein, many of our learners face challenges. And like that one teacher who believed in him, you have the power to unlock their potential.”
