THE Richards Bay mathematics and physical sciences guru, Dr Khangelani Sibiya, has all the reasons to smile ahead of the 2024 academic year.
The teacher, popularly known as Babes weMaths, has received four international nods in three global awards in a short period.
His technique of fusing dance and music in his mathematics lessons has left a footprint on a global stage, as he will return home with four international awards later this week.
Adding to his oorkant awards cabinet, Babes weMaths, the founder of KWV Maths and Science Training, walked away with Most Outstanding Educator in the Asia Pacific Global Achiever Awards, held in Canada on 5 January.
And in the International Organisation of Educators and Researchers (IOER) International Pinnacle Awards, which were in the USA, he scooped the Most Inspiring Global Educator award.
On Sunday, 12 January, he scooped two more awards at the Education Global Awards in Dubai.
He won the Outstanding Educational Influencer award while his organisation, KWV Maths and Science Training, scooped Exceptional Academics Institution under the Best Practice category.
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“I’m very happy that my work got recognition from other countries and other global awards. I was nominated for the first time in the Asia and USA awards, and I am over the moon that I was able to win it because now it means they all know that South Africa is also doing great in the education sector,” he said.
Dr Sibiya said what makes him even more proud and happy is that the Asia and USA awards were not only for teachers, but recognised individuals in different sectors.
“Winning in a category where you are competing with well-equipped countries means that as South Africa we are moving in the right direction when it comes to our education. The standard is slowly coming close to matching those of the rich countries,” he said.
Global Education Awards CEO Dinesh Kamra said their goal is to give tribute and rewards to outstanding teachers for the eminence and effectiveness of their teaching and their specialised leadership.
“We appreciate and acknowledge educators who are in the nascent stage of their career, to reward them for what they have achieved and for guarantee of what they will achieve in future,” he said.
