From left to right: Chief Education Specialist NSNP, Mr. Kagisho Motshelamadi, Acting Chief Director, Dr. Vusimuzi Chuta, DBE Chief Education Specialist, Sejabulile Behane, (Standing) Issac Mhlambi School Principal, Mr. Moeti Sefudi
A room was filled with jubilation as Isaac Mhlambi Primary School’s principal, teachers, food handlers, school governing body members, and the community danced on their feet to celebrate the announcement that the school had been selected as the 2025/26 National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) Award winner.
The NSNP Awards seek to recognise and appreciate schools that best implement the programme. “These awards celebrate outstanding commitment, innovation and effective practices in delivering the programme across schools and the districts,” said Kagisho Motshelamadi.
Another school that emerged as a winner is the Korea Farm School in the Public Farm School Category.
Explaining the nutritional benefits and value of the NSNP, Kagisho Motshelamadi stated that according to the South African Food-Based Dietary Guidelines, the meals learners enjoy include protein, starch, vegetables and fruits.
About 594,463 Free State learners in 764 schools in quintiles 1-3, public ordinary schools were also identified to benefit from the programme. Furthermore, 3338 food handlers are employed.
Other winners emerged from the Public Ordinary Schools Category and 3rd position went to Thabong Primary school – Lejweleputswa District, and 2nd Position went to Letsha Le Maduke Primary school – Thabo Mofutsanyane District.
Delivering a keynote address, Acting Chief Director for District Management, Dr. Vusimuzi Chuta said these achievements emanate from the leadership schools being provided at schools such as Isaac Mhlambi, to effectively implement the programme.
Free State has been known for its best practises in implementing the NSNP to the best of their ability, which includes compliance with policies and procedures, food safety, hygiene, quality of meals, food garden initiatives and nutrition education.
The two schools that won, which are Korea Farm School in Mangaung Metro Education District (MMED) and Isaac Mhlambi in Fezile Dabi, will represent the province at national level.
The winners received (setollowing prizes: Stainless Steel Double Door GN upright refrigerator, large stainless – steel heavy – duty platform pushy trolley, 150 electronic platform scale, pot stainless steel casserole – 60 LT – 500 x 310 mm, boiling table gas- commercial – 4 burner, industrial stainless- steel electric water urn, cater temp catering, cater temp catering thermometer, aluminium heavy duty colander 400 mm, colour coded cutting boards ( set of 3:1x white, 1 x white, 1 x red, 1 x green), serving utensils (serving spoon, soup handle, perforated spoon) aluminium pap stirrer, industrial can opener with table clamp.
The other participating schools also received an industrial stainless steel electric water urn, a 60-litre aluminium casserole, an aluminium heavy-duty colander, a set of colour-coded cutting boards with a chrome set, a set of serving utensils, an aluminium pap stirrer, an industrial can opener, cater temp catering thermometer.
