Boland College proudly hosted its highly anticipated Staff Excellence Awards on Wednesday evening. The prestigious event celebrated the exceptional dedication, professionalism, innovation, and commitment of staff members who continue to play a vital role in shaping the success of the College, its students, and the broader TVET sector.

Hosted in an atmosphere of celebration, appreciation, and pride, the evening brought together College leadership, management, staff members, and distinguished guests to recognise individuals and teams who consistently go above and beyond in delivering excellence across academic, operational, student support, governance, and institutional development functions.

The awards highlighted the outstanding achievements of Boland College employees across various categories, including Lecturer Awards, Academic Excellence Awards, Support Staff Awards, Management Awards, Special Awards, Project of the Year, and Lifetime Achievement Awards.

A major highlight of the evening was the recognition of the College’s exceptional academic staff, many of whom achieved remarkable student pass rates during the 2025 academic year. Lecturers and academic staff members were celebrated not only for academic performance, but for their commitment to student development, learner support, innovation in teaching, and dedication to ensuring student success under often challenging circumstances.

Among the impressive achievements recognised during the evening were:

– Emay Louw from Hospitality Studies, who achieved an exceptional 98% pass rate across Semester 1 and an outstanding 100% pass rate across Semester 2.
– Lynette van Vreden from Business Studies, who achieved a remarkable 95.5% pass rate across Semester 1 groups and 100% across Semester 2.
– Pheladi Mello, who successfully managed eight Mathematical Literacy groups while achieving an impressive 94% pass rate.
– Zamani Mthiyane, who achieved a 94% pass rate in Mathematics.
– Johan v Staden, who achieved 100% pass rates in both Computer Practice N4 and N5.
– Elizma Philander and Amelia Moller, both recognised for achieving 100% pass rates within their respective academic areas.

These achievements reflect Boland College’s continued commitment to academic excellence, quality teaching and learning, and student-centred education within the TVET sector.

The evening also celebrated innovation and future-focused institutional development, with the Career Guidance for the Digital Economy Project receiving the prestigious Project of the Year Award. The project positioned Boland College as a national leader in digital career guidance and student readiness for the evolving digital economy.

In addition, Academic Services received a Special Award in recognition of their exceptional leadership and resilience in preparing the College for the implementation of new Occupational Programmes from Semester 2, a significant institutional milestone aligned with national skills development priorities and industry demands.

The College also honoured two remarkable women with Lifetime Achievement Awards. Ms Anneline Taljaard was recognised for more than 31 years of exceptional service and her nationally significant contribution to career guidance and disability inclusion within the TVET sector, while Ms Ursula Taljaard was celebrated for her extraordinary 36 years of dedicated service, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to Boland College through decades of institutional growth and transformation.

Speaking at the event, Charles Goodwin praised staff members for their continued commitment to excellence and student success.

“This evening was about recognising the people who continue to make a meaningful difference within Boland College every single day. Our staff is the heart of this institution. Their dedication, resilience, innovation, and passion for education continue to drive student success, strengthen our communities, and position Boland College as a leader within the TVET sector. The outstanding academic achievements celebrated tonight are a reflection of the commitment our lecturers and support teams have towards empowering students and changing lives through education,” said Mr Goodwin.

The Staff Excellence Awards served not only as a celebration of achievement but also as a powerful reminder of the passion, teamwork, and excellence that continue to define Boland College as a future-focused and student-centred institution.

As the College continues to embrace innovation, digital transformation, and the implementation of Occupational Programmes, the event reaffirmed Boland College’s commitment to recognising excellence and investing in the people who help ignite futures and empower dreams every day.