When Lemana College was established by the Swiss Mission on January 8, 1906, there were only seven students who enrolled that academic year. Among them was the late Bernard Mbhalati Pandeka. Last Thursday, the institution celebrated its centenary in style.

When the Swiss Mission initiated the former college of education, they were using the existing buildings of Rossbach farm at Elim.

Prof CTB Marivate told the guests that the name Lemana was derived from Lac Lemanh or Lake Geneva, where most of the missionaries came from. Marivate, who was a student at Lemana from 1943 to 1946, said that, even though lecturers were not highly educated at the time, they offered selfless services and further committed themselves to building character and integrity amongst learners besides education.

Rev Dr NJ Tshawane of the Evangelical Presbeterian Church in South Africa (EPCSA) described Lemana as an African fruit with Swiss roots. “I refuse to accept that when the Swiss came to our land, we had no religion. They came to govern us and to strengthen what we have been doing. On their arrival, young people were introduced to the ministry of reading, so that they could read the Bible. However, by establishing this institution, the church and the hospital, they contributed significantly to the development of African leadership,” he said.

Dr Tshawane concluded by making a proposal to the MEC for Education, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, to consider working with the EPCSA in addressing the issue of poverty, unemployment and the HI-virus. Chief Njhakanjhaka told Motsoaledi that since he transformed the college in 1997, its role is no longer visible to the community like when it was still a teacher training institution. “I am pleading with you, MEC, to revive the status of this college,” he said.

One of Lemana's former students, Mr Tsakani Raymond Pandeka (59), who is presently the principal of Itshomeleng Primary School in Soekmekaar, said that he will continue to associate with Lemana, since his grandfather, Bernard, was one of the first students to enroll at the institution. “I came to this institution in 1963 and left in 1967. I feel great to form part of this centenary celebration, because the centre manager, Mr Mdaka, is also one of my products,” he said.

Despite all the challenges posed to him by different speakers to restore the status of Lemana, the MEC of Education, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi said that as Lemana is one of those colleges which were rationalised in 1997, no amount of rationalisation can erase the history and memories of Lemana. “I want to assure you today that such history which was not made by buildings will never diminish even with the passage of time. Our motto is development about people and always add the following in that motto that if development is about people, then education is a pre-condition for development,” he said.

When Motsoaledi said that it was impossible for the history of Lemana to die and disappear, he was grateful that the best results and best teachers in the province are from the Vhembe district. “When you celebrate the next 100 years of excellence, education and development, please invite me again,” said the MEC before he unveiled the plaque of the centenary celebrations at the entrance of the Multi-Purpose Centre's Hall.

The centre manager of Lemana, Mr HG Mdaka, rewarded four students of Lemana with a medal and certificates. The four are the former mayor of Vhembe district, Mr Sam Moeti, the late Rev PB Rikhotso, Mrs MY Myakayaka-Manzini and the co-founder of the former Vista University, Prof. Paul Mohlamethe. As the celebrations are still expected to continue throughout the year, Mdaka said that, together with his staff members, they would continue working for the community.