ADVERTISEMENT:
News - Date: 15 August 2014
The recent farewell function of the principal of Patrick Ramaano Secondary School, Vho-Mavhungu Khandela (64), was a joyous celebration of the successes which the school had achieved under his leadership.
During the event, several speakers and well-wishers emphasised the outgoing principal's dedication and good leadership skills, which saw the school grooming pupils to become pillars of their communities.
“Vho-Khandela was also instrumental in guiding and encouraging learners to develop other talents which are beyond academic excellence,” said Lucky Tshilimandila, a former pupil.
Vho-Khandela became principal of the school in 1987, when the school had an enrolment of 620 learners. In that year, the school had only 15 classes, 25 teachers and 123 Grade12 pupils. The school grew and developed dramatically under his leadership, with scholars who excelled academically, socially and culturally.
The school's Grade 12s were in the top 30 for the first time in 2012. Last year, they performed well and obtained a 95% pass rate. They were fifth in the province and were announced as the top school in Vhembe District. “A Grade 12 pupil in the 2013 class, Miss Khuthadzo Tshiovhe, made history for the school by becoming the first pupil to obtain distinctions in all her subjects,” Tshilimandila said.
Vho-Khandela thanked all the colleagues, former pupils and members of the community for believing in his leadership. “I also urge other teachers to work harder and unite themselves at the school in one purpose of grooming learners into responsible individuals who respect one another and love their nation,” he said.
Representing the former pupils, Mr Humbulani Musandiwa said that Vho-Khandela's leadership skills remained unmatched. “We believe that Vho-Khandela will continue serving the school as an adviser whenever he is requested to do so,” Musandiwa said.
Vho-Khandela is leaving the school which has now grown to 31 classes, 2 198 pupils and 69 teachers. He is retiring after after spending 27 years at the helm of the school.
Tshifhiwa Given Mukwevho was born in 1984 in Madombidzha village, not far from Louis Trichardt in the Limpopo Province. After submitting articles for roughly a year for Limpopo Mirror's youth supplement, Makoya, he started writing for the main newspaper. He is a prolific writer who published his first book, titled A Traumatic Revenge in 2011. It focusses on life on the street and how to survive amidst poverty. His second book titled The Violent Gestures of Life was published in 2014.
Email: [email protected]
Search for a story:
ADVERTISEMENT
The economic conditions in Zimbabwe forced Tanaka Moyo (40) to legally seek greener pastures in Musina. He opted for a unique business plan, selling the wild jujube fruit to make a living. The fruit, called masau in Shona, is better known as mazwilu in Tshivenda.
As the unemployment rate in South Africa continued to rise, a group of women from Makonde village decided to start a community-based project to create job opportunities for themselves. However, it is very difficult to continue with the project without support from the government or the private sector.
At the age of 104, William Masindi Sadiki still has many stories to tell. Some of these are about his experiences during World War II, when he was part of the North Africa campaign. He is one of the few black soldiers from that era still alive, and he proudly pins his war medals on his chest on formal occasions.
The Rivoni School for the Blind in in Njakanjaka village in the Vhembe District has 167 learners from Grade R to Grade 12. The school was started in 2016 by the Rivoni Society for the Blind, founded in June 1975 at Elim Hospital by late Swiss doctor Erwin Sutter. The society later transferred responsibility for the school to the Department of Education.
