DELMAS– When Sunnyboy Moses Msiza stepped into his first classroom in 2000 at Sundra High School, he couldn’t have imagined that 25 years later, he would stand among the country’s finest educators.
On 30 July, he was honoured with the prestigious National Teaching Award for Excellence in Secondary School Leadership. The award marked yet another highlight in his record of outstanding work. Reflecting on the achievement, he said:
“I am humbled by this award and would like to thank everyone who made this opportunity possible. I accept this award with great humility and a renewed commitment to serve, to uplift, and to never stop learning. This recognition feels like one of those seeds in full bloom.”
Msiza was also celebrated alongside his fellow educators, with Precious Nonhlanhla Skhosana taking the top position as the Best Teacher.
Today, as principal of Mafa Max Motloung Secondary School, he leads an institution known for its discipline, high academic excellence and lasting impact in the Delmas community in Mpumalanga.
Born and raised in Mandela Section at Devon located in the Sedibeng District Municipality, Gauteng, Msiza’s educational journey began at Nomnekane Primary School, and he matriculated from Botleng Secondary School.
“I was a disciplined young man,” he recalls. “Despite the challenges, I took education seriously. I was drawn to mathematics and physical sciences — not just the content, but the humanity my teachers brought into the classroom.”
Msiza had planned to become an engineer and was accepted at Wits University, but lack of funding redirected his path. That unexpected detour led him to the Transvaal College of Education in 1995, a decision that would change the lives of thousands.
“I never imagined myself in education,” he admits. “But teaching ended up being the best complement to my personality.”
After earning his diploma in education in 1997, Msiza faced difficult beginnings. “For two years, I was unemployed,” he says. “But I volunteered at the Delmas ABET Centre, teaching adults in the evenings. That gave me a solid foundation.”
His first official teaching post came in 2000, when he joined Sundra High School. Young and barely older than some of his learners, Msiza relied on empathy and professionalism to command respect and establish order in the classroom.
Within five years, he rose to the position of Head of Departmental. In 2008, he joined Mafa Max Secondary School as Deputy Principal. By 2016, he had been promoted to Principal, a role he continues to serve with distinction.
At Mafa Max, Msiza didn’t just maintain the culture of excellence, he enhanced it. “I believe in running a school like a business where customer satisfaction matters,” he says. “That means discipline, structure and deep care for every learner.”
His leadership style is inclusive and holistic. He knows most learners by name and frequently holds one-on-one sessions to support their mental, emotional and social wellbeing. “These sessions are safe spaces,” he says. “They help me understand what learners are going through at home and at school.”
His vision reaches far beyond academics. Msiza pioneered several support programmes, including a sanitary towel initiative for girls, partnerships with local companies for food parcels, and a school borehole that benefits both learners and the wider community during water shortages.
Under his leadership, the school has become a talent hub; many of its teachers were once learners there. Graduates are highly sought after in the private sector, thanks to the school’s culture of discipline and accountability.
Msiza doesn’t just lead within his school. He mentors other principals and school governing bodies, helping them navigate the complexities of educational leadership. “It’s not about position,” he says. “It’s about creating positive change wherever you are.”
His dedication to mentorship, his insistence on values like discipline and persistence, and his ability to inspire learners and staff alike, have earned him national recognition.
“I’ve tried to touch many lives through education. It’s my greatest achievement,” he says. “When I look back, I want to know I gave it my all and that I left the world better than I found it.”
