By Johnathan Paoli
The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) has hailed the achievement of Eastern Cape teacher Ntombozuko Mkizwana, who brought continental honour to South Africa by winning two prestigious African Union (AU) Teaching Awards in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Mkizwana, a deputy principal at the Nelson Mandela School of Science and Technology in Mthatha, received both the African Union Continental Teaching Award and the African Union Continental Award for Excellence in Rural Teaching at the Pan African Conference on Teacher Education earlier this month.
“SADTU proudly celebrates our member and 2024 National Teaching Awards Best Teacher winner, Comrade Ntombozuko Mkizwana. Her recognition demonstrates the excellence of South African teachers, particularly those working in rural contexts under challenging conditions,” the union stated.
The union framed her victory as a collective achievement for South African educators, emphasising that it reflects the dedication, professionalism, and resilience of teachers working in environments where resources are limited but commitment remains high.
For SADTU, Mkizwana’s recognition underscores the role of teachers not only in classrooms but also as community builders and champions of equality in education.
Her journey to continental recognition began with the National Teaching Awards, where she emerged as South Africa’s Best Teacher in 2024.
That honour earned her the nomination to represent the country at the AU platform, where her story of innovation and impact in rural teaching resonated with judges from across the continent.
The AU event, held in Addis Ababa under the theme “Advancing Strategies for Teacher Training, Recognition, and Professional Development”, was a landmark gathering for educators across Africa.
Beyond the awards, it also marked the launch of the Continental Teacher Community of Practice Platform, a network designed to link teachers, share best practices, and strengthen professional development across borders.
SADTU’s leadership has argued that Mkizwana’s achievements should encourage the government and society at large to value teachers more meaningfully.
The union noted that while teachers often face criticism, their victories on national and international stages show the depth of talent and commitment in the profession.
They also stressed that the recognition of a rural-based educator is particularly important in a country where the gap between urban and rural schooling continues to present challenges.
Director of the Matim Institute of Excellence in Mthatha, Lubabalo Mpongwana, echoed SADTU’s sentiments, saying Mkizwana’s success is proof that excellence in teaching can flourish anywhere.
“She has represented the province and the country, and we are happy to have taken that global stage,” he said.
He added that her achievement should inspire other educators in the Eastern Cape to pursue higher levels of professional development and dedication.
Mkizwana, 49, has been teaching for more than two decades and has developed a reputation for combining academic rigour with compassion and community involvement.
Colleagues describe her as a mentor to younger teachers and a motivator for learners, particularly in science and mathematics, while for SADTU, her story demonstrates what can be achieved when teachers are supported and encouraged to reach their full potential.
The union used her victory as an opportunity to highlight the importance of ongoing teacher training, professional appreciation, and recognition; calling for broader investment in rural education, arguing that teachers like Mkizwana succeed despite, rather than because of, the conditions they work under.
For SADTU, the awards are more than just a personal achievement for one teacher; they are a validation of the union’s long-standing call for recognition of South Africa’s educators as central to the country’s development.
The union said it is proof that South African teachers have the ability not only to compete but also to lead on the global stage.
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