Mining company Thungela Resources has recognised the dedication and leadership of school management teams from across Mpumalanga, honouring 211 principals, deputy principals and heads of department from 45 schools during its Courageous Leadership Awards ceremony.

The event, held at Simunye Hall at Greenside Colliery in eMalahleni on October 29, celebrated the successful completion of the Penreach Courageous Leadership Development Programme, a two-year initiative aimed at strengthening leadership capacity in schools across the Nkangala and Gert Sibande districts.

The programme forms part of the Thungela Education Initiative and was designed to equip school leaders with the skills, knowledge and practical tools needed to lead schools more effectively, support educators and improve learner performance.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Thungela executive head of corporate affairs Mpumi Sithole said investing in school leadership is one of the most effective ways to improve educational outcomes.

“Behind every successful school is a leadership team whose decisions shape the experiences of both educators and learners. Through the Thungela Education Initiative, we aim to equip school leaders with the skills, knowledge and tools needed to strengthen leadership effectiveness and improve educational outcomes,” said Sithole.

She said the awards not only recognised participants’ commitment to professional development but also celebrated the positive impact they continue to make in the communities where Thungela operates.

Implemented by education partner Penreach between 2025 and 2026, the programme was developed following a comprehensive assessment of school management practices conducted in 2024. The findings helped identify key areas requiring support and informed a tailored leadership development journey that combined training and coaching.

Participants received training in curriculum management, school planning, people management, financial management, governance, and resource mobilisation. Heads of department also received specialised support focused on curriculum coverage, educator development and the effective use of assessment data to improve learner achievement.

Practical implementation

A key aspect of the programme was its focus on practical implementation. Participants were required to compile portfolios of evidence demonstrating how they applied the skills and knowledge gained through the programme within their schools. The portfolios were independently assessed as part of the development process.


Penreach Courageous Leadership Development Programme director Lawrence Tafiriye said the emphasis on practical application enabled school leaders to address real challenges within their school environments.

“Leading a school comes with responsibilities that extend far beyond the classroom. Our approach was to equip school leaders with practical skills that could be applied directly to the challenges they face in their schools,” he said.

Among those recognised was Nkululeko Nzekeni, principal of Vukuzithathe Primary School, who described the programme as a valuable opportunity to strengthen his leadership abilities.

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“This programme has strengthened my confidence as a leader and provided practical tools that I can apply in my school every day. The opportunity to learn alongside other school leaders, share experiences and implement new approaches has been invaluable,” he said.

Mpumalanga Department of Education representative Elijah Nkosi said strong leadership remains fundamental to creating learning environments where both educators and learners can succeed.

“Strong school leadership sets the tone for a culture of accountability, excellence and continuous improvement. When school leaders are equipped with the right skills and support, they are better positioned to create environments that enable quality teaching and learning,” said Nkosi.

Building sustainable education

Through partnerships with the Mpumalanga Department of Education and implementation partners, the Thungela Education Initiative continues to invest in people and school environments with the aim of achieving sustainable improvements in educational outcomes.

Sithole said courageous leadership is about confronting challenges, embracing change and continuously seeking better ways to serve others, values that were reflected in the achievements celebrated at the awards ceremony.

What began as a single gathering in eMalahleni has grown into a collaborative platform connecting female leaders across the country. Read more here: https://t.co/POToKUTRib

— WitbankNews (@WitbankN) November 2, 2026

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