The Richfield Teacher Impact Award, in partnership with 5FM, invites South Africans to celebrate the teachers whose support, mentorship and guidance has made a lasting difference in their lives.
In celebration of World Teachers’ Day on 5 October 2026, the campaign asks high school learners to reflect on the teachers who recognised their potential, supported them through difficult periods, or inspired them to pursue opportunities they once believed were out of reach.
“Teachers do so much more than deliver lessons and prepare learners for examinations. They can be the people who recognise a young person’s potential long before that person sees it themselves, who offer encouragement when things feel difficult, or who open up possibilities a learner had never considered,” says Shireen Chengadu, Chief Academic Officer at Richfield.
“Education creates opportunities, but the people who guide us through this journey can influence how confidently we pursue them. The award is an opportunity for learners to tell their teachers what their support has meant, and for those teachers to hear just how far their influence has reached.”
The Richfield Teacher Impact Award offers an opportunity to acknowledge the people behind the lessons and the difference their dedication makes in learners’ lives across the country.
Hosted on 5 Drive, every weekday from 15h00 – 18h00, the week-long campaign calls on high school learners to share their personal nominations live on air and online, bringing together learners, parents, educators, and the wider community in a celebration of teaching.
From Monday, 5 October, to Friday, 9 October, 5FM will select one winning teacher each weekday. Each winning teacher will receive R10,000 from Richfield, while the person who nominated them will receive R5,000. The awards recognise both the teacher’s contribution and the importance of taking the time to express gratitude.
Entrants can nominate a teacher by completing the entry form on the 5FM website. Entries open on 30 September 2026 and close on 09 October 2026.
