Since 2003, School Club has been immersed in schools, spending hours engaging with over 105 000 educators in all parts of South Africa, and it is through these interactions that School Club has seen the immense impact that educators have on their learners.

On Sunday, 9 August, South African’s paid homage to the women of our nation – the mothers, the wives, the sisters and daughters who fought tirelessly for the freedom that they believed in, in 1956. Some of the new game changing women, are our country’s teachers who dedicate their lives to empowering the next generation with the knowledge they need to build a better future – not only for themselves, but for our nation as a whole.

Pick n Pay School Club dedicated the month of August to collecting heart-warming stories from learners and South Africa celebs who had a message to share about their beloved teacher. Known faces like YoTV presenter Jessica Tims; comedian Daniel Friedman aka Deep Fried Man; Generations actor Denise Zimba; and TV presenter Roxy Burger took their minds back to their schooldays and shared nostalgic memories of their favourite teacher.

“I’ve had some of the coolest experiences with my teacher, Mrs Haymen, and never been able to tell her, but thanks to Pick n Pay School Club, I hope she sees it,” said Friedman.

“It doesn’t matter how old or young you are, there’s always that one educator that you still miss from primary or high school, because of the contribution they made to your academic career while growing up. And this year we want to make it special for them, and thank them for being such powerful, impactful women,” said Nadine Visser, Pick n Pay School Club platform manager at HDI Youth Marketeers, Africa’s leading youth market specialist agency.

59 years later, in 2015, these powerful women are still fighting for what they believe in. They are fighting an intellectual battle, educating kids in schools, helping develop and build a well-educated nation across the continent.

“Like Nelson Mandela said, ‘education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.’ These women dedicate their lives to education; they build these kids to be tomorrow’s success, and we (School Club and the learners) want to acknowledge them together,” adds Visser.

According to ‘info South Africa’, about 7% of South Africa’s Gross Domestic Product and 20% of total state expenditure is spent on education, which is more than any other sector – showing the importance of their sector within our economy. Trading Economy also mentioned that 78.9% of teachers in the education system are female, which makes them immense contributors to South Africa’s educations.

“There are so many feel good videos for children out there, and for School Club to recognise the women behind a child’s success is powerful and we are honoured to share these videos with these awesome women,” concludes Visser.

To see video, click here

About Pick n Pay School Club

The Pick n Pay School Club is South Africa’s largest brand funded education platform currently in its thirteenth year. Pick n Pay School Club provides much-needed educational support to 3025 schools across the country and in so doing creates change in the lives of over 2.26 million learners and 105 875 educators.

For more information on the Pick n Pay School Club, visit www.schoolclub.co.za. Alternatively, connect with them on Facebook or on Twitter.