Lawrence was born in Cradock in the Karoo but has spent almost all of his life in Port Elizabeth. He attended Korsten Union Primary School and Paterson High School before moving on to Hewat Training College in the Western Cape, attaining a BA degree majoring in the social sciences.

Not surprisingly, he started his teaching career at Korsten Union, followed by Gelvandale High. From there he became Deputy Principal at Chapman High and Principal at St Thomas. While at Chapman he was seconded to the Advisory Service as the English subject advisor and was also the first President of the SA Principals’ Association.

After going into early retirement, his focus was moved to training and development. He spent some time on the Imbewu and Inkwezi projects concentrating on the teaching of English in rural areas, co-ordinating the “Managing the new Curriculum” programme in 1600 schools, and as an NCS instructor in the Uitenhage Education Department. This was followed by a few years as an National Professional Diploma in Education tutor at the former PE Technikon and later NMMU.

At present he is a mentor on the Advanced Certificate Education: School Leadership programme, a School Governing Body trainer with a focus on the parent component, a Science, Maths & Technology trainer in schools, an English First Additional Language facilitator to in-service educators and a Maths, Science & Technology classroom observer.

He husband to Maureen, who is “the wind beneath his wings” and father to three children.

Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University is honoured to present Lawrence Africa with the Council Prestige Award for his enormous contribution to education in the Eastern Cape.