NOT many people will have heard of Van Stadensrus, a small district in the heart of the Free State - and even fewer will know about Gelukwaarts, the tiny farm school that serves kids in the area.
But it's on the map now after its principal, Sunet Wessels, was named the best teacher in South Africa at the recent National Teaching Awards.
Sunet (60), one of 13 teachers at the school of just 192 students, couldn't be more delighted.
"Standing in front of the judges, when they shook my hand, that's when I realised - we're being seen," she says.
She's been principal of Gelukwaarts since 2017 and says the love the children and teachers have for each other make it a special place.
"So many times visiting inspectors have said, 'We feel nothing but love here".
As a little girl Sunet wasn't especially interested in teaching but a memory from her school years foreshadowed where life would take her.
This story is from the 11 January 2024 edition of YOU South Africa.
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This story is from the 11 January 2024 edition of YOU South Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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