By Johnathan Paoli
The Department of Basic Education (DBE), together with the Northern Cape Department of Education, honoured top-performing schools and districts on Friday during the 2025/26 National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) Best Schools and Districts Awards, with officials praising schools for sustaining learner support despite mounting financial pressures in the education sector.
The awards ceremony, hosted at Laerskool Seodin, in Kuruman on Friday, recognised excellence in the implementation of the programme which provides daily meals to millions of learners across South Africa.
Deputy Minister of Basic Education Reginah Mhaule, Northern Cape Education MEC Abraham Vosloo and executive mayor of the Ga-Segonyana Local Municipality, Neo Masegela, attended the ceremony to honour schools, districts and officials involved in the programme.
In her keynote address, Mhaule began by extending condolences to families and communities affected by recent flooding in parts of the Northern Cape.
“Today, although in sombre spirits due to the loss of life and livelihoods negatively affected by the floods, we celebrate the impact of the National School Nutrition Programme, which continues to play a vital role in ensuring that no learner is left behind,” she said.
Mhaule said the awards highlighted the dedication of officials, food handlers and administrators responsible for ensuring the success of the programme in schools across the country.
“The NSNP awards are not just about recognition; they are about celebrating the passion, innovation, and creativity that are driving this programme forward,” she said.
“Whether it is through the outstanding efforts of our school nutrition coordinators, the skillful preparation of meals by our dedicated Food Handlers or the excellence of the administrators who ensure that everything runs smoothly, you are all champions of this cause,” Mhaule added.
She described the awards as a small but meaningful way to honour the schools’ dedication and highlight the extraordinary work that happens at the ground level to make the programme a success.
“It is your commitment that inspires others and helps to create a ripple effect of positive change in our communities,” Mhaule said.
The deputy minister also called on government institutions, communities and private partners to continue working together to ensure learners are adequately supported.
Delivering the welcoming address, Mayor Masegela commended schools for ensuring conducive learning environments through effective implementation of the nutrition programme.
He applauded schools for “their dedication to providing conducive environments for effective learning, through ensuring efficient implementation of the National School Nutrition Programme”.
Vosloo used the occasion to stress that the Northern Cape government had protected the programme from spending cuts despite budget constraints affecting the broader education sector.
“We must never cut NSNP. Critical times that we are currently facing: budget cuts. We are suffering because of budget cuts. But the NSNP has never been cut,” said Vosloo.
The MEC said 85% of schools in the province benefit from the programme, with about 275,000 learners receiving meals daily.
According to figures presented during the ceremony, the Northern Cape has 551 schools in total, with 498 schools benefiting from the provincial nutrition programme.
Vosloo said quintile four and five schools were also included among beneficiaries, reaching between 79,000 and 100,000 learners in those categories.
“Almost 85% of the schools in the province benefit from the NSNP,” he said.
Chief Director for Provincial School Management, Administration and Support, Sandile Beuzana, said the awards aimed to recognise and encourage excellence in education support systems.
“Today’s gathering stands as a powerful reminder that when we uplift education, we uplift generations; and when we recognize excellence, we pave the way for even greater achievements,” Beuzana said.
“The Best School Awards exist to affirm a simple yet powerful truth: Excellence in education must be seen, acknowledged, rewarded, and most importantly, replicated,” he added.
The Namakwa Education District was announced as the winner in the Best District category.
Van Zylsrus Intermediate School won the Best Farm School category, while Isaac Mhlambi Primary School received top honours as the overall winner in the Best School category.
The department said the awards sought to encourage innovation and accountability in school nutrition delivery while recognising institutions that consistently improve learner welfare through effective implementation of the programme.
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