The Western Cope department of education honoured their best teachers in the National Teachers Award’s held in Cape Town in August 2926.
Athena Dennis was given the accolade as the winner of the Western Cape’s ‘National Best Teacher Award’ for the current year. In her acceptance speech Dennis said, “We don’t need permission to give our best to our children when their future demands nothing less,” a sentiment which captures the heart of what it means to be a teacher today.
Dennis was honoured along with 14 top teachers at the provincial ceremony in Cape Town. These awards are an opportunity to celebrate our exceptional teachers whose innovation, passion and commitment shape the lives of learners and the future of our province.
The 2026 Provincial winners are:
• Excellence in Grade R Teaching: Danielle Bosch, Koos Sadie Primary School,
Goodwood (Metro North)
• Excellence in Teaching Life Skills (Grades 1–6): Monique Basson, Forest Village
Leadership Academy, Eerste River (Metro East)
• Excellence in Primary School Teaching (Grades 1–7): Ambrosia Pheiffer, Fraaisig
Primary School, Knysna (Eden and Central Karoo)
• Excellence in Primary School Leadership: Brenda Simani-Phike, Masiphumelele
Primary School, Khayelitsha (Metro East)
• Excellence in Secondary School Teaching (Grades 8–12): Zerena
Barendilla, Queen’s Park High School, Salt River (Metro Central)
• Excellence in Secondary School Leadership: Antonio Michaels, Blackheath High
School, Blackheath (Metro East)
• Excellence in Inclusive Education Teaching: Cindy Dreyer, Oudtshoorn School of
Skills, Oudtshoorn (Eden and Central Karoo)
• Excellence in Inclusive Education Leadership: Mthobi Fihla, Phakamisani Primary
School, Plettenberg Bay (Eden and Central Karoo)
• Excellence in Teaching Mathematics (GET): Andhika Mahabeer, Edgemead
Primary School, Edgemead (Metro North)
• Excellence in Teaching Mathematics (FET): Helena Kalp, Hoërskool Swartland,
Malmesbury (West Coast)
• Excellence in Teaching Natural Sciences: Evelyn Moodley, Rouxville Primary
School, Kuils River (Metro East)
• Excellence in Teaching Physical Sciences: Janine Makka, Atlantis Secondary
School, Atlantis (Metro North)
• Excellence in Technology – Enhanced Teaching and Learning: Hortense
Stegmann, Laerskool Welgemoed, Welgemoed (Metro North)
• National Best Teacher Award: Athina Dennis, Oval North High School, Beacon
Valley, Mitchell’s Plain (Metro South)
• Kader Asmal Lifetime Achievement Award: Gameeda Abrahams, Blomvlei
Primary School, Hanover Park (Metro Central)
The minister of education in the Western Cape, Jaco Londt, congratulated all the winners who will now go on to represent the Western Cape as nominees for the National Teaching Awards. “You have already made us proud by showing up for our learners with dedication, support and love,” he said. “We are positive that the national judging panel will see what we see: incredibly talented and hardworking individuals who deserve national recognition.”
