SHARPEVILLE. – A 28-year-old educator at Lehlasedi Primary School, Mapula Zichally, and her team of learners managed to get the number one spot at the recent National Baswa Le Meetse Competition that was held at Birchwood Hotel in Johannesburg.
This annual national competition is held by the Department of Water and Sanitation.
The competition saw learners from all the nine provinces compete in categories such as poetry, music, drama and speech and may others.
The team from Lehlasedi Primary School reigned supreme at the awards, garnering the number one spot in the poetry category.
Lehlasedi Primary School Principal, Thabiso Sibanda, applauded the teacher for her outstanding achievement, saying that she had made history as nothing like this had ever happened at the school before. “I would like to thank her for putting our school on the map. She has a great passion for kids and she is an outstanding teacher, not only when it comes to the arts but also in academics.”
Zichally, who is an English and Science teacher, uses the arts to educate children about everyday realities through incorporating them in the classroom.
Zichally says, “I am really proud that we were able to achieve this. I am more proud of the kids for their dedication. They put in a lot of effort and worked really hard, they even stayed behind after school to practice as this is regarded as an extra mural activity.” Zichally believes that the arts provide a platform for kids to open up their minds to other careers and also helps them realise their talents.
Sedibeng East District representatives also congratulated the school for the award. Nolwandle Utloa, Deputy Educational Specialist under Educational Support Programmes, said that this kind of competition has a positive impact on children.
“Teacher Zichally has really made the district proud. She managed to polish the kids and has also achieved the three objectives which are social cohesion, mass participation and talent identification. Thank you for reclaiming the glory of the school. We are really proud,” Utloa said. She added that when all the role players work together, greatness can be achieved.
