Local educator bags national award

Multi Award winning Principal of Pula Madibogo Primary School in Mankweng, Phuti Ragophala won the Lifetime Achievement Award at EduWeek Awards 2016 held in Gauteng last Thursday.
Ragophala, Information Technology Teacher at the school, beat Georina Westraadt, Senior Lecturer in Art Education from Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Gizelle McIntyre from Institute of People Development and Lorraine Roth, Director at Parklands College for the top award.
She was recognised and awarded for the implementation of digital technology, innovation and science in her school.
Ragophala has been exemplary in her humanitarian work of teaching community members and redefining primary school teaching and learning through technology tools.
She dedicated the award to the learners and personnel of Pula Madibogo and the community of Mankweng. “I thank them for the support and pivotal roles they’ve played in my entire career as an educator and principal. I would also like to thank Microsoft South Africa , Coza Care Foundation and Schoolnet South Africa for the seed they have planted in Schools in Limpopo with regard to E-Learning where we are on a process of transforming and driving teaching and learning in class through technology tools hence I am here, holding a life time achievement award,” Ragophala said.
She also thanked her family members, her husband whom she said has been her supporter, driver and motivator. “I also want to acknowledge my late parents who spotted my teaching and leadership talents at an early age when I was opting for nursing as a career, thank you so much,” she said.

Story and photo: Herbert Rachuene
>>herbert@mailbox.co.za

Featured photo: Phuthi Ragophala, winner of a Lifetime Achievement Award at the EduWeek Advancing Educational Knowledge in Africa Awards ceremony last week.