Enhancing 21st-century teachers' professional identity and development in South Africa In South Africa, there is a growing need to enhance the professional identity and development of teachers, particularly in light of the challenges facing the education sector. This includes issues such as a lack of resources, poor infrastructure, and high levels of inequality. By building the skills, pedagogical content knowledge and professional identity of pre-service teachers, we can work towards addressing these challenges and creating a more equitable and inclusive education system. In order to create a thriving education system, it is essential that pre-service teachers are equipped with the necessary skills, pedagogical content knowledge, and professional identity to succeed in their role as teachers. Building pre-service teachers' skills is crucial, as it ensures that they are competent in their subject area and are able to deliver quality teaching. However, it is equally important to train them on what it means to be a professional, in order to inculcate a sense of pride, responsibility and accountability in their work. In this regard, the seven roles of a teacher must be emphasised. By understanding and embracing these roles, teachers can become effective professionals who are committed to the holistic development of their learners. It is also important to recognise that teacher professional development is an ongoing process that continues throughout a teacher's career. Therefore, the conference must also focus on ways to support teachers in their ongoing professional development. 3. Your research poster should not exceed 2 pages (Calibri 12, 1.5 spacing). You will need to include the following aspects: A catchy/interesting/relevant title The poster should be visually appealing, including graphics, images, and other visual aids that support the content - thus meaningful images Consider the layout and formatting - you need to pick a colour for the background and text that is clear, text should not be crowded and well-spaced out. Use short sentences, and simple words and use bullet points where necessary. 4. The poster must address the following topics: teacher as professional, teacher identity (Who am I), 21st-century teacher skills, seven roles of a teacher in South Africa, and how these topics can contribute to quality education in SA.