Dipuo Qupe, a dedicated teacher at Kokosi Primary School, recently received the prestigious Best Soul Buddies Facilitator award for the Gauteng West region. The ceremony took place on October 1 at Westgold Primary School in Randfontein.

Qupe has been passionately involved in the Soul Buddies project for the past three years, a program designed to teach learners how to be caring, supportive peers. “Soul Buddies teaches learners how to be thoughtful peers and help others, which builds character,” she explained.

Expressing her surprise and gratitude, Qupe said, “I did not expect it. When you are trying to do good, you are rewarded for it in other ways, but when you get an award, it means the world to you.”

Her hope is that the learners she has mentored will continue to spread kindness and empathy to others in the future. This award not only celebrates her commitment but also shines a light on the importance of nurturing compassionate and thoughtful young individuals in schools.