Mudimeli Secondary School rewarded its best-performing pupils for the 2019 academic year during a ceremony that was held at the school's grounds on Friday.

The school scored an 87.4% pass rate for Grade 12 in the 2019 academic year.

The Soutpansberg North Circuit's manager, Dr Sampie Phaswana, encouraged pupils to take advantage of the available sponsorships that would enable them to further their education at tertiary level.

“I advise you to create a personal study timetable as soon as from January, so that you have great chances of passing with flying colours at the end of the year,” he said. “The early bird catches many worms.”

Take Shape Property Management's managing director, Mr Solly Ramalamula, who had donated R36 000 towards the award ceremony, expressed his joy in supporting the school. He stated that the award ceremony was aimed at encouraging the pupils to take education seriously.

“Our company has 150 employees, of which 20% come from Mudimeli, and we still need more people from this village,” he said. “However, we are tired of people flooding our offices and saying they need any job, which leaves us with no option but to outsource from other provinces. So, prospective job seekers must equip themselves with relevant and specific qualifications.”

Take Shape Property Management awarded the best pupils from Grade 7 to 11, together with their educators, with R500 vouchers and certificates. The three best achievers in Grade 12 received vouchers and certificates, while overall best performer Arehone Muremi also received a laptop. Takalani Mphephu and Anza Maphutha were awarded vouchers, tablets, trophies, and certificates.

Four educators were also acknowledged for their hard work in producing some distinctions. They are Mr Alfred Mafukaduvha (platinum certificate for obtaining distinction in history), Mrs Mulatedzi Radebe (platinum certificate and tablet for producing 100 pass in Tshivenda and four distinctions), Mr Ambani Maphaha (certificate and tablet for being the most disciplined educator) and Mrs Mercy Mathurana (who was voted the most dedicated educator of the year).