A well-known principal, Sizo Butshingi, formerly from Xolilizwe Senior Secondary School in Willowvale, has recently scooped two different awards in one month.
A dedicated principal, who always goes the extra mile to ensure that he produces best results for Grade 12 learners, Butshingi is now the principal at Nyanga Senior Secondary School in Ngcobo. Last month, he was named best inspirational teacher by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC).
“I obtained this award on August 23, after one of the Grade 11 learners, Atule Tshanyela, from Nyanga Senior Secondary School, wrote an essay about how I had inspired them because of the role I always play and the positive impact that I have in their lives.
“His essay was chosen as the best one in the province by DSAC. In fact most of the learners wrote about me about the positive impact I have in their lives.
“But Tshanyela’s essay was the one which led to my award,” said Butshingi. He added that on August 18, he received another award as the best principal from the Amaxhosa Kingdom.
The awards ceremony was held at King Hintsa FET College in Dutywa.
Talking about leaving Xolilizwe Senior Secondary School, he said it was very painful because the school was like his baby as he managed to uplift it.
“After I received the call telling me about my new appointment at Nyanga Senior Secondary School in Ngcobo, it took me more than a month for me to leave, because I was still trying to accept the situation.
“What was more painful was that Xolilizwe was like my baby now because when I went there it was dysfunctional and I managed to change it to a centre of excellence.
“I just felt sorry for learners, teachers and parents because we had attracted learners from all the districts in the Eastern Cape.”
Butshingi started teaching in 1994 and his first role as principal was at Solomzi Secondary School in Centane. I managed to lift its results from 20% to 100%,” he said.
