Telkom Foundation will continue its partnership with the Department of Basic Education (DBE) as a premium sponsor of the 25th National Teaching Awards, reaffirming its commitment to recognising and supporting South Africa’s educators.

Now in their twenty-fifth year, the National Teaching Awards (NTA) are a flagship initiative of the DBE, established to acknowledge and reward excellence in teaching. The NTA highlight the dedication, creativity, and resilience of teachers who play a vital role in shaping the nation’s future, often under challenging circumstances.

The 2025 ceremony, themed “Our Teachers – Our Inspiration”, will bring together representatives from government, business, and academia to celebrate the achievements of educators across the country. The event will also highlight the evolving landscape of education, with a focus on digital transformation and the importance of equipping learners with both traditional knowledge and essential 21st-century skills.

“Teachers are the backbone of our nation’s progress. Their resilience, innovation, and commitment to nurturing future-ready learners are the foundation of South Africa’s growth,” says Mpho McNamee, Group Chief of Corporate Affairs. “Our continued partnership with the Department of Basic Education reflects our investment in initiatives that empower educators and drive digital transformation in schools.”

As part of its ongoing support, Telkom Foundation’s sponsorship for the 25th NTAs includes technology prizes for all 48 finalists, including free websites for the schools of winning teachers, tablets with data SIM cards that are loaded with 10GB anytime data + 10GB night data per month, for a period of 12 months. These initiatives form part of Telkom Foundation’s broader commitment to advancing education, bridging the digital divide, and empowering educators with future-ready skills.

This commitment is not new. Since 2000, through initiatives such as Telkom Thintana, Connected Schools, Virtual Classrooms, and CyberLabs, Telkom has consistently invested in education. Over a span of 25 years, these programmes have directly benefited more than 5,389 teachers and indirectly impacted over 646,680 teachers across the country. From early landline-era projects to today’s digital solutions, the sustained support demonstrates that empowering educators has been, and remains, a long-term priority for Telkom.

“For Telkom Foundation, supporting teachers is a true passion, every learner’s success story begins with a teacher who believed in them,” says Judy Vilakazi, Head of Telkom Foundation. “By honouring and empowering our educators, we are investing in the dreams of every child and the future of every community.”

The 25th NTAs will once again provide an opportunity to publicly thank and celebrate the teachers who inspire all of us through the profession that gives birth to all other professions.

The awards will feature categories including Excellence in Teaching, Leadership, Special Needs, STEM subjects, and Technology Enhanced Teaching and Learning.

Telkom Foundation remains committed to supporting the growth and transformation of the education sector and looks forward to the upcoming 25th National Teaching Awards.