Bay teachers stand out at Education MEC’s Excellence Awards

Educators from Nelson Mandela Bay shone brightly this past weekend, taking home top honours at the MEC for Education Fundile Gade’s annual Excellence Awards. The ceremony celebrated the province’s finest teachers, whose dedication often goes beyond the classroom.

Tuskeen Salie from Van der Kemp Primary School won for physics, chemistry, mathematics and design and Innovation (PCMD). (Photo: Supplied)

Clydene Basterman from Newton Technical High School won the technical sciences award at the annual Excellence Awards Ceremony. (Photo: Supplied)

Elsie Potgieter from Pearson High School won the business studies category. (Photo: Supplied)

In his address, Gade acknowledged the harsh realities many educators face, including challenging working conditions and personal risks.

“Some have fallen precisely because of their commitment to have evening studies, and then they don’t come home,” he said.

Gade also praised the province’s school governing bodies for their steadfast support and “zeal for stability”, stressing that their efforts do not go unnoticed.

Ray Tywakadi, Deputy Director-General of the Eastern Cape Department of Education, confirmed that winners were chosen not only for their dedication, but for exceptional performance nationally.

“So they are also the cream of the crop in South Africa,” he said.

He said the department had also incorporated e-learning and excellence in innovation in their decision.

The Nelson Mandela Bay award winners are:

• Jeanette Schoeman (Hoërskool Framesby) — Afrikaans First Language


• Melany Dampies (Sanctor High School) — English Home Language


• Joe Nkqubela (Ethembeni Enrichment Centre, North End) — isiXhosa Home Language


• Marzane McCleland (Grey High School) — Accounting


• Elsie Potgieter (Pearson High School) — Business Studies


• Laura Munnik (Pearson High School) — Life Sciences


• Mtyingizane Nkululo (Soqhanyisa Senior Secondary, Motherwell) — Mathematics


• Juanita Potgieter (Pearson High School) — Mathematics


• Danielle Pillay (Pearson High School) — Physical Science
  Marianka van Niekerk (Newton Technical High School) — Technical Mathematics


• Clydene Basterman (Newton Technical High School) — Technical Sciences


• Tuskeen Salie (Van der Kemp Primary School) — Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics & Design & Innovation (PCMD)


• Azola Cyril Magemntu (Ndzondelelo Senior Secondary) — Awarded for coaching the U15 soccer team DM