Celebrating ‘society’s quiet heroes’

While the nation continues to grapple with the many challenges confronting South Africa’s education system – from overcrowded classrooms to limited resources – one thing remains certain: excellence and inspiration do not depend on circumstance.

That enduring truth was powerfully affirmed at the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) annual Stella Clark Teachers’ Awards, where educators were celebrated for their dedication, creativity, and transformative impact on generations of learners.

Established in 2005 in honour of the late Stella Clark, an extraordinary teacher and lecturer in UCT’s Centre for Higher Education Development (CHED), the award recognises high school teachers. It recognises those who have gone above and beyond to inspire learners to excel academically and personally – often in under-resourced environments.

“It [the award] has shown us that there are inspiring teachers across the country doing a brilliant job of transforming and reshaping the fabric of South African life.”

Over the past 20 years, the Stella Clark Teachers’ Awards have spotlighted teachers who turn constraint into creativity, proving that passion and commitment are stronger forces than circumstance. “The award has surpassed every expectation we had when it was established,” said Professor Kevin Naidoo, the head of UCT’s Scientific Research Unit and husband of the late Clark. “It has shown us that there are inspiring teachers across the country doing a brilliant job of transforming and reshaping the fabric of South African life.”

Professor Naidoo explained that the award was designed to connect three vital parts of society: the family, university, and community. “We wanted to make visible the unsung heroes who, despite challenging conditions, ignite a love of learning in their students,” he said. “Many of those learners have come to UCT and gone on to change the world. That connection – between a teacher’s influence and a student’s journey – is what the award celebrates.”

A legacy of inspiration

This year’s ceremony, hosted at the Sun International Hotel in Newlands last week, marked two decades of the award’s history and drew a moving mix of reflections from award-winning teachers, UCT students who nominated them, current students, and education leaders, among others.
UCT’s deputy vice-chancellor for Teaching and Learning, Professor Brandon Collier-Reed, paid heartfelt tribute to the teachers in attendance, describing them as “society’s quiet and powerful heroes”.

“Everyone of us can remember a teacher who saw our potential before we did,” he said. “The lessons they impart and the confidence they build ripple far beyond the classroom. Teachers do so much with so little. Despite shrinking resources, they remain compassionate, innovative, and deeply committed. Their work reaches beyond the school gates and continues through every student they have taught”.

He reminded the audience that teaching is not merely a profession but a calling. “The ripple of a great teacher’s touch,” he said, “moves outward — shaping lives, communities, and the future of our nation.”

Stories of transformation

Among those celebrated was Sibusiso Maseko, a veteran science teacher whose influence has lasted decades. Now a retired school principal who still conducts science lessons, he was the first recipient of the Stella Clark Award in 2006 while he was teaching at Zwelibanzi High School in KwaZulu-Natal.

He was nominated by Dr Phumlani Nkontwana, an alumnus who is the founder of Fuata Africa and the founding director of the Allan Grey Centre for Africa Entrepreneurship. He shared how Maseko’s passion for physics ignited a lifelong love for learning – even without the benefit of laboratories or modern facilities.

“We didn’t have labs, but because of his way of teaching, I got distinctions in physics. He instilled a love for the subject that went beyond the classroom. It was not about having perfect conditions; it was about instilling the fire for learning. That fire is still there.”

“Education is the only vehicle that can bring us together – and when UCT recognises this, it levels the playing field.”

Dr Nkontwana, who is also an economist and a lecturer, added that Maseko’s example redefined what success meant: “He showed us that with passion and leadership, even without resources, learning can flourish. Today I supervise MBA students across the world, and I try to do what he did – make them fall in love with their subject. Once that happens, nothing else matters. That’s the power of a great teacher.”

Maseko, who has devoted 38 years to teaching, was visibly moved. “When I first received the award, I was shocked,” he said. “I didn’t realise I had such an impact on my students. I used to teach science on Ukhozi FM, and it touched me to learn that students from as far as Gauteng knew my lessons. Twenty years later, to see so many teachers recognised – it gives me hope. It shows growth, and it reminds us that we can find solutions to South Africa’s education challenges together.”

He described feeling “rejuvenated” by the recognition, and that inequality in society should not impede good education. “I feel I could go back to the classroom again,” he said. “Whether you are rich or poor, science speaks the same language. Education is the only vehicle that can bring us together – and when UCT recognises this, it levels the playing field.”

Building a nation through teaching

The ceremony also highlighted the vital role of teachers in shaping not only learners but also communities. Jamala Safari, the chief executive officer of HCI Foundation, which partners with UCT to support the awards, described teachers as the “backbone of any nation”.

“Every day we know the challenges teachers face – overcrowded classes, limited resources, curriculum pressures, and the lasting impact of apartheid. Yet they go on, playing the role of parent, mentor, and community builder. They go beyond teaching to transform lives and secure the future of families and the nation.”

His sentiments were echoed in a recorded message from UCT Vice-Chancellor Professor Mosa Moshabela, who praised the educators for their profound contribution to the university and the country.
 

“We recognise the important contribution that the award has made to UCT over the past two decades,” Professor Moshabela said. “Many of our students have come directly from your classrooms – shaped by your mentorship, compassion, and commitment. Your hands are truly hands of gold.”

From classrooms to the world

For Naidoo, the lasting power of the awards lies in their ability to connect stories of ordinary teachers doing extraordinary things. “Good teaching is not about how much you have,” he said, “but how you use what you have to bring out the best in students. Across the country, we’ve found teachers who do exactly that – and their influence reaches far beyond their schools.”

Many of the award’s alumni have gone on to hold leadership positions in education and government, forming a growing network of mentors who continue to share best practices and inspire others.

“It’s not just an award,” Naidoo added. “It’s a movement, one that honours Stella’s spirit of compassion and her belief that education is the most powerful tool for transformation.”