Presidential Order of the Baobab for Limpopo teacher

POLOKWANE – Retired teacher, Phuti Ragophala brought honours to the province when she recently received the Order of the Baobab in silver from President Cyril Ramaphosa during a ceremony held in Cape Town.

Ramaphosa also bestowed the Order of Mendi for Bravery, the Order of Ikhamanga, the Order of Luthuli, the Order of Mapungubwe and the Order of the Companions of O.R. Tambo on deserving individuals.

National Orders are the highest awards that the country bestows on its citizens and eminent foreign nationals who have contributed towards the advancement of democracy and have made a significant impact on improving the lives of South Africans.

The National Orders recognise contributions made by individuals towards building a non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous South Africa as envisaged in the constitution.

The Order of the Baobab recognises South Africans who have contributed to community service, business and economy, science, medicine and technological innovation and according to the citation, Ragophala received the order for her contribution in the field of education and demonstrating the need to move with the times by promoting technological awareness and advancement to both teachers and learners.

Ragophala relates how she refined teaching and learning by using technological resources.

“I started using remote teaching and learning approach through technological resources and applications like Skype some 25 years back long before Covid-19, long before technology became fashionable. I always believed that proper learning should be based on collaboration, communication, creativity and critical thinking; that is “The 4C’s”. I believed that theory that is accompanied by practical work, bears good fruit in learners. I believe that pedagogue and content that is accompanied by technology applications can make learning more exciting and fun,” she said.

Ragophala explains that, even though her resources were minimal, one typewriter and one overhead projector with transparency papers enabled her to start facilitating teaching and learning through tech tools.

“My cellphone also played a huge role in creating Gr 7 learner e-mail addresses,” she added.

Ragophala remembers that she was one of the first teachers to be trained on how to use a keyboard, screen and mouse to actually write, compile notes, spread sheets and progress reports for learners in class.

“The seeds that we planted as teachers many years back, have grown into big, tall trees with low-lying fruits that are seen and ingested by all the people. My message to all teachers is that teaching and learning has changed a lot. I encourage teachers to upskill themselves in terms of the fourth industrial revolution and beyond, in order to transfer relevant and survival skills to learners that will enable them to fit well in today’s job and economic markets. Let us keep on working hard by grooming future young leaders through education,” Ragophala said in conclusion.

Ragophala is also an active member of the Rotary E-club of Baobab, and chairperson Grant Daly said that the Rotarians are very proud of their member.

“In the short time that Phuti has been in the club she has been recognised by her fellow Rotarians as a caring community minded leader and so it is no surprise that she was elected as our incoming president of the club. Her nickname among us is ‘techno granny’ as she is passionate about helping learners and teachers with anything to do with computers and technology,” he said.