Three Western Cape teachers take top honours at National Teaching Awards - IOL

Western Cape National Teaching Awards winners with Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube, Deputy Minister Reginah Mhaule and Western Cape Education Minister Jaco Londt.

Three Western Cape teachers have taken first place in their respective categories at the 26th annual National Teaching Awards in Johannesburg.

Mthobi Fihla of Phakamisani Primary School in Plettenberg Bay, Danielle Bosch of Koos Sadie Primary School in Goodwood and Hortense Stegmann of Welgemoed Primary School were among 15 teachers who represented the Western Cape at the awards on October 1, 2026.

Fihla won Excellence in Inclusive Education Leadership, while Bosch was named the national winner in Excellence in Grade R Teaching.

Stegmann won Excellence in Technology-Enhanced Teaching and Learning.

The National Teaching Awards recognise excellence among educators across South Africa. The Department of Basic Education says the 2026 awards comprise 15 categories.

Western Cape Education Minister Jaco Londt congratulated the three national winners and the other provincial representatives.

Mthobi Fihla with Western Cape Education Minister Jaco Londt at the National Teaching Awards.

Fihla said inclusive education was important to ensure that learners were not left behind.

“Inclusive education is important to today's schools because no learner should be left behind. Inclusive education prevents the stigma of learners labelling each other because they learn in a specific school that caters for a specific disability”.

He also mentioned the importance of children learning and achieving at their own pace.

Danielle Bosch with Western Cape Education Minister Jaco Londt at the National Teaching Awards.

Bosch, who won the Excellence in Grade R Teaching category, emphasised the importance of routine.

“A well-planned routine and day programme adds to effective classroom management to contribute to active participation in their own learning”.

Stegmann, from Welgemoed Primary School, won the Excellence in Technology-Enhanced Teaching and Learning category.

Hortense Stegmann with Western Cape Education Minister Jaco Londt at the National Teaching Awards.

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

Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube also addressed the ceremony, describing districts as places “where educational leadership becomes real”.