Inspiring educators: Lorinda Rinkwest and Wedaad Esau amongst 15 teachers who shined at Provincial Teaching Awards
Image: WCED
National Best Teacher Award: Wedaad Esau, Bridgeville Primary school, Bridgetown
Image: WCED
After more than four decades of unbroken service to education, Lorinda Rinkwest of Kasselsvlei Primary School has been awarded the prestigious Kader Asmal Lifetime Achievement Award at the recent Provincial Teaching Awards.
The award recognises educators who embody the values of the late Professor Kader Asmal, activism, social justice, intellectual rigour, and inspired delivery and celebrates Rinkwest's 43-year career dedicated to shaping young lives in Bellville South.
'I didn't choose teaching, it chose me,' Rinkwest said. 'From the moment I stepped into a classroom, I felt a deep sense of purpose. Education has always been more than content for me, it's about sparking curiosity, shaping character, and building confidence.'
Her approach has always extended beyond the classroom. 'What set my approach apart was a simple but powerful principle: be present, and be purposeful. I didn't just teach from the front of the classroom, I walked the corridors, joined the sports fields, and celebrated the arts. Visibility builds trust, and trust builds transformation.'
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Rinkwest described the award as a shared achievement. 'It wasn't just my win it was ours. This award belongs to the teachers who stay late to mark books, the learners who taught me as much as I taught them, and the communities that embraced collaboration, kindness, and growth.'
Even after more than four decades, she draws motivation from her pupils. 'Even after 43 years, I never stopped asking: 'How can I do better? How can I reach further?' It's the learners who keep me going. Every child brings a new reason to show up with heart.'
Looking ahead, Rinkwest hopes to use the platform to inspire collaboration and policy change.
'Excellence doesn't only live in well-funded schools, it lives in passionate educators and resilient learners. I want to mentor young teachers, share tools, and advocate for inclusive systems that recognise the realities of underprivileged schools.'
Excellence in Grade R Teaching: Charles Mokoena, Dirk Boshoff Primary School, Uniondale
Image: WCED
Excellence in Teaching Life Skills (Grades 1–6): Ammarah Ford-Pieters, Cedar Primary School, Bonteheuwel
Image: WCED
Excellence in Teaching Mathematics (FET): Charissa Shay-Sithole, Apex High School, Eerste River
Image: WCED
For Rinkwest, teaching is not just a career it is a calling. 'Recognition may come slowly, or not at all. But the lives you shape, the dignity you restore, and the futures you help build that's the real reward. Teaching has become my legacy, and I'm proud to keep answering the call.'
Also walking away with a prestigious award is Wedaad Esau, from Bridgeville Primary in Bridgetown, who was awarded the National Best Teacher Award.
Esau has been teaching for 11 years and a few months, beginning her career at Jamaica Way Primary School in Mitchells Plain. She has recently moved to Bridgetown to join Bridgeville Primary School.
Growing up in Mitchells Plain, Esau struggled with reading.
'I could never read. I could never sound and I had to repeat a grade andI felt like there was something wrong with me. I was classified as dyslexic and my mother got me extra help and supported me in the way that I needed the support.
'Despite ongoing challenges, I still make silly mistakes because I'm human.'
Excellence in Teaching Mathematics (GET): Mariska Niemand, Altena Primary School, Strand
Image: WCED
Excellence in Teaching Natural Sciences: Demi Michelle Potts, Kretzenshoop Primary School, George
Image: WCED
Excellence in Teaching Physical Sciences: Lana Schreuder, Rhenish Girls' High School, Stellenbosch
Image: WCED
Esau's early struggles fueled her mission to ensure no learner feels inadequate. 'I felt like I was never good enough, like I didn't belong, or will amount to nothing but my parents motivated me through education.
'Since then I wanted to do the same for other kids. Because of my struggle, I made it my mission to make no learner feel like that, like they cannot read, like they're not good enough, I wanted to motivate them, like my parents motivated me..'
Esau was celebrated for her outstanding contribution to literacy using the Science of Reading, a research-based approach that explains how the brain processes reading and what happens neurologically when children read. Her work has helped learners overcome challenges and build strong foundational reading skills.
Excellence in Primary School Teaching (Grades 1–7): Domé Swart, Kasselsvlei Primary School, Bellville South
Image: WCED
Excellence in Secondary School Teaching (Grades 8–12): Fiona Blanchard, Crystal Secondary School, Hanover Park
Image: WCED
Excellence in Special Needs School Leadership: Alsje Schoeman, Oudtshoorn School of Skills, Oudtshoorn
Image: WCED
Her passion extends beyond her own classroom. 'For me, that was a big part of what I wanted to do as a teacher and with my social media platforms was to be there to support other teachers that are experiencing kids that are the same. Teaching is a very difficult career and a very difficult career to do alone. But having a supportive teacher community was very important to me and I wanted to create that for every teacher.'
Esau also reflected on the values instilled by her parents, who worked tirelessly as small vendors. 'If there was one thing my parents taught me, especially my father,who said, 'never strive for a car, for a house, for clothing, for name brands. Strive for education, because that is something that cannot be stolen. Your car, your house, you can lose all of that, but you can never lose the education you have'.'
Receiving recognition for her work has been humbling. 'So first of all, yes, I'm very thankful and honored to have won this award. It was something I would have never thought that I could achieve, it was never about recognition, it was always about motivating the kids.'
Excellence in Special Needs Teaching: Chantelle Carstens, Paarl School, Brackenfell
Image: WCED
Excellence in Technology – Enhanced Teaching and Learning: Kirsten Tomé, Fraaisig Primary School, Knysna
Image: WCED
Excellence in Secondary School Leadership: Hendrik Smith, Hoërskool Langenhoven, Riversdale
Image: WCED
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IOL News
5 hours ago
- IOL News
Inspiring educators: Lorinda Rinkwest and Wedaad Esau amongst 15 teachers who shined at Provincial Teaching Awards
Kader Asmal Lifetime Achievement Award: Lorinda Rinkwest, Kasselsvlei Primary School, Bellville South Image: WCED National Best Teacher Award: Wedaad Esau, Bridgeville Primary school, Bridgetown Image: WCED After more than four decades of unbroken service to education, Lorinda Rinkwest of Kasselsvlei Primary School has been awarded the prestigious Kader Asmal Lifetime Achievement Award at the recent Provincial Teaching Awards. The award recognises educators who embody the values of the late Professor Kader Asmal, activism, social justice, intellectual rigour, and inspired delivery and celebrates Rinkwest's 43-year career dedicated to shaping young lives in Bellville South. 'I didn't choose teaching, it chose me,' Rinkwest said. 'From the moment I stepped into a classroom, I felt a deep sense of purpose. Education has always been more than content for me, it's about sparking curiosity, shaping character, and building confidence.' Her approach has always extended beyond the classroom. 'What set my approach apart was a simple but powerful principle: be present, and be purposeful. I didn't just teach from the front of the classroom, I walked the corridors, joined the sports fields, and celebrated the arts. Visibility builds trust, and trust builds transformation.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Rinkwest described the award as a shared achievement. 'It wasn't just my win it was ours. This award belongs to the teachers who stay late to mark books, the learners who taught me as much as I taught them, and the communities that embraced collaboration, kindness, and growth.' Even after more than four decades, she draws motivation from her pupils. 'Even after 43 years, I never stopped asking: 'How can I do better? How can I reach further?' It's the learners who keep me going. Every child brings a new reason to show up with heart.' Looking ahead, Rinkwest hopes to use the platform to inspire collaboration and policy change. 'Excellence doesn't only live in well-funded schools, it lives in passionate educators and resilient learners. I want to mentor young teachers, share tools, and advocate for inclusive systems that recognise the realities of underprivileged schools.' Excellence in Grade R Teaching: Charles Mokoena, Dirk Boshoff Primary School, Uniondale Image: WCED Excellence in Teaching Life Skills (Grades 1–6): Ammarah Ford-Pieters, Cedar Primary School, Bonteheuwel Image: WCED Excellence in Teaching Mathematics (FET): Charissa Shay-Sithole, Apex High School, Eerste River Image: WCED For Rinkwest, teaching is not just a career it is a calling. 'Recognition may come slowly, or not at all. But the lives you shape, the dignity you restore, and the futures you help build that's the real reward. Teaching has become my legacy, and I'm proud to keep answering the call.' Also walking away with a prestigious award is Wedaad Esau, from Bridgeville Primary in Bridgetown, who was awarded the National Best Teacher Award. Esau has been teaching for 11 years and a few months, beginning her career at Jamaica Way Primary School in Mitchells Plain. She has recently moved to Bridgetown to join Bridgeville Primary School. Growing up in Mitchells Plain, Esau struggled with reading. 'I could never read. I could never sound and I had to repeat a grade andI felt like there was something wrong with me. I was classified as dyslexic and my mother got me extra help and supported me in the way that I needed the support. 'Despite ongoing challenges, I still make silly mistakes because I'm human.' Excellence in Teaching Mathematics (GET): Mariska Niemand, Altena Primary School, Strand Image: WCED Excellence in Teaching Natural Sciences: Demi Michelle Potts, Kretzenshoop Primary School, George Image: WCED Excellence in Teaching Physical Sciences: Lana Schreuder, Rhenish Girls' High School, Stellenbosch Image: WCED Esau's early struggles fueled her mission to ensure no learner feels inadequate. 'I felt like I was never good enough, like I didn't belong, or will amount to nothing but my parents motivated me through education. 'Since then I wanted to do the same for other kids. Because of my struggle, I made it my mission to make no learner feel like that, like they cannot read, like they're not good enough, I wanted to motivate them, like my parents motivated me..' Esau was celebrated for her outstanding contribution to literacy using the Science of Reading, a research-based approach that explains how the brain processes reading and what happens neurologically when children read. Her work has helped learners overcome challenges and build strong foundational reading skills. Excellence in Primary School Teaching (Grades 1–7): Domé Swart, Kasselsvlei Primary School, Bellville South Image: WCED Excellence in Secondary School Teaching (Grades 8–12): Fiona Blanchard, Crystal Secondary School, Hanover Park Image: WCED Excellence in Special Needs School Leadership: Alsje Schoeman, Oudtshoorn School of Skills, Oudtshoorn Image: WCED Her passion extends beyond her own classroom. 'For me, that was a big part of what I wanted to do as a teacher and with my social media platforms was to be there to support other teachers that are experiencing kids that are the same. Teaching is a very difficult career and a very difficult career to do alone. But having a supportive teacher community was very important to me and I wanted to create that for every teacher.' Esau also reflected on the values instilled by her parents, who worked tirelessly as small vendors. 'If there was one thing my parents taught me, especially my father,who said, 'never strive for a car, for a house, for clothing, for name brands. Strive for education, because that is something that cannot be stolen. Your car, your house, you can lose all of that, but you can never lose the education you have'.' Receiving recognition for her work has been humbling. 'So first of all, yes, I'm very thankful and honored to have won this award. It was something I would have never thought that I could achieve, it was never about recognition, it was always about motivating the kids.' Excellence in Special Needs Teaching: Chantelle Carstens, Paarl School, Brackenfell Image: WCED Excellence in Technology – Enhanced Teaching and Learning: Kirsten Tomé, Fraaisig Primary School, Knysna Image: WCED Excellence in Secondary School Leadership: Hendrik Smith, Hoërskool Langenhoven, Riversdale Image: WCED
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Exploring ECD challenges and solutions at the Western Cape Provincial Education G20 Indaba
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Recovery efforts for missing pilot Andrew Blackwood-Murray continue in Durban
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