St Benedict's HoD Portia Nhlapo nominated for 2025 Edu Women in Leadership Awards
St Benedict's College head of department Portia Nhlapo has been nominated in multiple categories of the Edu Women in Leadership Awards 2025 in recognition of her outstanding contribution to education.
'It is a real honour to be considered,' said Nhlapo. 'I believe this recognition not only reflects my personal efforts but also the strength and innovation of our school as a whole.'
The 33-year-old educator said teaching has always felt like a natural calling.
'From a young age, I was inspired by the transformative power of education and its ability to shape lives and futures,' she said.
'I was especially drawn to making a meaningful impact in children's lives, particularly in the area of language development.'
While she initially aspired to become a lecturer and had the opportunity to teach at college level, her career has developed into more than a decade of classroom and leadership excellence.
'I have taught a range of subjects, including IsiZulu, English, EMS, social science and life skills across both the intermediate and senior phases,' said Nhlapo. 'Each year has brought challenges and opportunities for growth.'
She currently heads the IsiZulu department at St Benedict's preparatory school, mentors colleagues and continues to develop learning materials that promote inclusive and effective language education.
The EduPulse Africa Teacher Competition, which hosts the Edu Women in Leadership Awards, celebrates educators who go above and beyond to make a difference in their schools, communities and the lives of their learners.
Among her many achievements, Nhlapo is a recipient of the Golden Key International Honour Society award, which recognises academic excellence among the top 15 percent of university students globally. Now she needs your help to bring home another prestigious honour.
'People should vote for me because I bring passion, experience and innovation to education,' said Nhlapo. 'I embody the values of excellence, resilience and continuous growth.
'I also aim to develop accessible digital learning content in African languages to support inclusive education and curriculum innovation.'
To vote for Portia Nhlapo, visit: https://tinyurl.com/3zak5d9w. Voting closes on July 25.
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