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.”

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.”

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.”

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.

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.”

Rinkwest and Esau were two of the province’s top 15 educators recognised at the Provincial teaching award.

They will now go on to represent the Western Cape as nominees for the National Teaching Awards, set to take place on 9 October 2025.

Provincial MEC for Education David Maynier praised the recipients: “What could be greater than inspiring our children, who are the future of our country? Two very important things were revealed that we need to do for our teachers: We must develop our teachers, because when we develop our teachers, we develop our children. And we must support our teachers, because when we support our teachers, we support our children. You are our greatest asset, and without you, our children would have no hope of a brighter future.”

tracy-lynn.ruiters@inl.co.za

Weekend Argus 

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