On Monday morning, Kgapane High School outside Tzaneen in Limpopo was buzzing with activity and filled with ululations as the school welcomed the best Physical Science teacher in South Africa.
Lucia Maake was embraced in style by the Mopani West Education District and staff from the school.
She received the award at the National Teaching Awards on Saturday at the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg.
In the morning, she was escorted by fellow teachers to a surprise party at the school. They had laid out a red carpet for the 31-year-old, who teaches science to the rural school’s Grade 10 and 12 learners.
Maake told Scrolla.Africa that she was overwhelmed by the support she received from the district, her colleagues, and the children she teaches, who call her “mama”.
She said she did not believe she could be named the best Physical Science teacher in the country, considering she comes from a school with limited resources.
Maake’s journey has not been easy.
She explained that after completing her Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Venda, she worked as a laboratory assistant intern with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in Makhado.
After the contract ended, she was forced take a job as a cleaner. Her resilience, which she said she learned from her father, a teacher before he passed, pushed her to return to university. She later obtained an honours degree in educational management and a postgraduate qualification in education.
Maake says the win has boosted her confidence, so she wants to enrol for her master’s and wants the title “Dr” attached to her name soon.
Michael Phosa, the school principal, said he was over the moon with her win.
“This is history for the school, as we have never had anyone win an award of this magnitude. She is young, has a positive attitude, and is very energetic. Our learners are privileged to have an educator of her calibre,” he said.
