South Africa’s young heroes celebrated in 2025 Pick n Pay School Club Awards

School learners have been rewarded for acts of kindness, selflessness, bravery or environmental stewardship in the 2025 Pick n Pay School Club Hero Awards, reminding us that heroism is not about grand gestures, but everyday acts of character.

The Hero Awards were launched 16 years ago to encourage a culture of self and social awareness in classrooms, schools and communities through acts of kindness, courage, respect and environmental stewardship among primary school learners across South Africa, and aligns with Pick n Pay’s ethos that ‘doing good is good business’. Pick n Pay School Club is one of the country’s largest brand-funded educational programmes providing free curriculum-compliant educational support to 3 175 schools nationally.

“These young learners’ stories are truly inspiring, and even heart-wrenching as some have survived hardships and health issues, but still continue to help others or protect the environment,” said Pick n Pay School Club Manager, Catherine Bothma. “It not only celebrates learners’ qualities and actions but also inspires others to follow their example. The Hero Awards programme furthers the purpose of School Club, which is to educate future leaders.”

The Hero Awards programme is widely adopted as it echoes school ethos. Teachers at participating schools identify learners throughout the year for various acts of bravery, kindness, or everyday acts of heroism, and award them with certificates and button badges recognising their positive actions. This culminates in the annual Hero Awards competition where entries are submitted for learners across seven categories to stand a chance of winning their share of R35 000 in Pick n Pay vouchers. Hero Awards are handed out at schools throughout the year, with the top stories submitted for shortlisting.

Pick n Pay School Club Hero Awards recognises learners across the following categories:

• Courage (being brave in the face of difficulty)
• Selflessness (putting others first)
• Kindness/Caring (to/for people, animals and the world)
• Respectfulness (honouring other people and treating them with dignity/acting in a way that cares about others’ feelings and their wellbeing)
• Honesty (speaks the truth and owns up when they make a mistake)
• Team player (works well with others, and plays fairly on the playground and in sports)
• Environmental Awareness (displaying care for the environment)

The winning learners were awarded a share of R35 000 in Pick n Pay vouchers and a Hero certificate for their outstanding behaviour.

The 2025 Gauteng Pick n Pay Hero Awards winners are:

Motjatji Senwamadi in Grade 6 at Hammanskraal’s Refitlhile Primary School is first in the Honesty category. She is a dedicated young woman with a bright future, consistently managing daily administrative duties with diligence and accuracy. Each morning, Senwamadi ensures registers are collected, distributed to classrooms and returned on time for processing. She also supports teachers by overseeing fundraising collections and maintaining accurate class records.

Learner bus conductors from Johannesburg’s Abinala Primary School are first in the Team Player category. Their duties include ensuring younger learners board the correct buses and get off at the right stops. When learners were injured during a recent bus accident, the learner bus conductors acted swiftly, locating and bringing the parents of the affected learners to the scene. Their prompt response helped ensure the children received timely medical care.

Goitsemang Mabotja in Grade 4 at Phalesane Primary School in Pretoria is second in the Courage category. Despite being a sickly learner, she never complains or misses school. When asked why she doesn’t rest when she seems ill, Mabotja replies “who must catch up the work for me if I'm absent? I don’t want to fall behind on my school work”. She is a dedicated learner, always present at school. Even though her teachers can see she is not well, she is committed to her school work, and is a good leader and friend.

Bandile Skhosana in Grade 6 at Pretoria’s Ezazi Primary School is second in the Team Player category after forming his own soccer team at school. Skhosana aspires to become his community’s next soccer star, using the sport as motivation to stay focused and persevere. A hardworking learner, he excels both on the field and as a young coach. By starting his own soccer team, he has inspired his peers to embrace the sport and pursue competitive opportunities.

Oratile Ntloana in Grade 5 at Waterkloof Glen’s Glenstantia Primary School is third in the Environmental Awareness category for inventing a litter picker and collector. Ntloana saw the need to keep the school clean by collecting litter from the classrooms and around the school grounds using his device. His innovation has only been used in school and he plans to explore other ways to keep the school clean.

Sonia Mahlabane in Grade 6 at Ezazi Primary School is third in the Team Player category. An active learner with a passion for dance, she founded a dance group at school and later formed her own community team, quickly emerging as a natural leader. Mahlabane has inspired her friends to see it not only as an extramural activity but as a positive outlet that keeps them off the streets. Determined and ambitious, she aims to grow her group and collaborate with neighbouring schools to launch a dance competition in Mamelodi.

Omphemetse Tshirwa in Grade 7 at Pretoria’s Refitlhile Primary School is second in the Selflessness category. Tshirwa pushes the food trolleys during break and picks up plates after learners have eaten. Since the water crisis in Hammanskraal started in June, he helps carry water to the bathrooms for learners every morning, and says he is motivated by the slogan “Together we can achieve more”.

Kaylin Daniels in Grade 7 at Northcliff Primary School is awarded second place in the Respectfulness category for being an outstanding leader who embodies the school’s spirit and brings the school’s motto, ‘To Strive’, to life. Always polite and eager to assist, Daniels brings warmth and positivity to the classroom and the playground, and is a guiding light for her peers, offering support and encouragement whenever needed.

Mbali Mahlangu in Grade 7 at Mamelodi West’s Ezazi Primary School is third in the Kindness/Caring category, for being kind-hearted and caring for those in need. She helps the needy and most vulnerable learners from her school by donating food and clothes. She does house visits with her church and cares for the elderly. Mahlangu’s friendliness and willingness to help saw her rewarded by Pick n Pay School Club.

Tumelo Nkosi at Johannesburg’s Forest Town School for Learners with Special Education Needs, is third in the Respectfulness category. Nkosi demonstrated remarkable restraint last term when another learner provoked him, grabbing and tearing his shirt. He remained calm, and walked away, demonstrating excellent self-control.

Jody Mailula in Grade 5 at Johannesburg’s Alston Primary School is Highly Commended in the Selflessness category, for a brave act she performed in the classroom when a stacked double desk toppled over. Mailula tried to stop it falling but its weight was heavier than her small size, and crushed her right pinky finger between the table and floor. If she had not intervened, the table would have injured another two girls.

Olwenkosi Madida in Grade 7 at Edenvale’s Eastleigh Primary School is Highly Commended in the Environmental Awareness category for his positive impact on the school and the environment. His dedication to picking up litter during breaks and collecting recyclable materials from home shows initiative and responsibility as he prioritises the wellbeing of his school and the planet, even when it means giving up playtime. His actions are a great example of how small efforts can add up to making a big difference.

Ndumiso Dasi in Grade 7 at Mamelodi’s Vukauzenzele Primary School is Highly Commended in the Team Player category for being a hard-working learner who motivates others both on the soccer field and at school. He began playing soccer at a young age and now mentors and trains younger players both at school and in his community. As the school’s soccer captain, Dasi’s passion and talent have taken him to competitions across the country. Well known for his skill and leadership, he was selected to serve as the school’s sports leader.

Ends.