PHOTO: Mr. Alfred Mokgalaka receiving Best National Teacher Award at the 22nd National Teaching Awards.
The the National Department of Basic Education hosted the 22nd instalment of the National Teaching Awards (NTA) at the CSIR Convention Centre in Pretoria this morning. Mr. Alfred Mokgalaka from Frans Du Toit High in Phalaborwa, raised the Mopani District flag high, bringing home the most coveted accolade of the event — Best National Teacher Award.
According to the Department of Education (DBE), the NTA scheme is one of the ways in which the Department acknowledges the extraordinary efforts made by excellent teachers, often in very difficult conditions.
Such teachers provide for better futures for learners, because the lack of quality education is a major factor behind many social, political, economic and health challenges faced by the world today; as well as contributing to poverty, prejudice and conflict.
We are extremely proud of Mr. Mokgalaka, Limpopo DBE bagged 7 awards last year and another 7 this year, this is a clear indication that are striving towards excellence and hope that other provinces will use us as a benchmark.
— Mike Maringa, Limpopo DBE Spokesperson.
Mokgalaka is a man of many talents, a qualified Xitsonga and Geography teacher from the University Limpopo and one of the student founders of campus radio station Turf FM. He is a well known musician in the province and says that he incorporates that in his style of teaching. He was also an actor in the first Xitsonga movie on national television, Makhume.
Music grabs the attention of learners, it’s a universal language and I definitely use that to my advantage.
— Mokgalaka.
Growing up in a the village of Makhuva on the outskirts of Giyani and later Namakgale in Phalaborwa, Mokgalaka is man of many talents. He was part of the interest group that championed the introduction of African Languages in multiracial schools, and now teaches learners from disadvantaged backgrounds robotics and coding. Mokgalaka developed an online educational channel allemoca.co.za to help learners with Xitsonga.
Education is not restricted to the classroom, and in a world with so many possibilities I have made it my mission to put my hometown and province on the map. The music industry is currently dominated by Limpopo artists such as Master KG, even our own President has roots in this often looked down upon province.
Mokgalaka, who has helped learners with drug addiction and focus on their studies, says this award is not about him; it belongs to the entire province and those who selflessly used their time and resources to achieve such a milestone.
I would like to thank my Principal Mr Janse van Rensburg and the extremely supportive staff at Frans Du Toit High School. I would also like to thank the MEC Limpopo Education MEC, Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya and her officials who would sometimes endeavour a trip from Polokwane to Phalaborwa, just to come witness the impact I make not only in the classroom but the broader community of BaPhalaborwa.
— Mokgalapa
Mokgalapa sent out a special thanks to his family, his parents particularly — his mother Merriam Mokgalapa late father Phetole Mokgalaka, BaKgalaka! He says their love and support, and bringing him into this world was not in vain. My daughter who is at times deprived of quality time with her father, whom she shares with the community.
Mopani Times asked whether an album can be expected from the award winning educator seeing his hands are full. Music is my first love, as we speak I am in talks with some of the biggest brands in Limpopo to go back into studio and get cooking.