Warm welcome for new principal

The newly appointed principal of Tshilambuvhe Primary School in Mbilwi village received royal blessings when the head of the Mphaphuli Dynasty, Thovhele Gole Mphaphuli, visited her school on Friday, 19 January.

The visit, aimed at officially welcoming Ms Rose Mathidi as the new principal of the school, also formed part of Mphaphuli’s school-visiting programme. In this initiative, he visits schools under his jurisdiction to motivate learners to study hard and produce quality results. Among the schools he visited were the high-achieving Mbilwi Secondary, Phaswana Secondary, Mphaphuli Secondary, and Raluswielo Secondary.

Thovhele Mphaphuli was accompanied by Mbilwi’s traditional leader, Vhamusanda Vhomashonelo Tshimange, along with her royal council and the local Thulamela ward councillor.

Regarding his visit, Mphaphuli mentioned that it was long overdue and that he was supposed to have done this last year. “When I was informed of the arrival of the new principal, I could not personally come to welcome her due to some unavoidable commitments. I sent a delegation to welcome her, but I felt that it was not enough. I told myself that I would pay a visit to the school as soon as I have time.”

Mphaphuli did not arrive empty-handed but brought 70 pairs of shoes for needy learners. He and Mathidi personally handed the shoes to individual learners. Addressing Mathidi directly, he said, “I see poor kids walking barefoot to school on a daily basis, as I stay not far from the school. I have also heard of the good work you have been doing since your arrival and felt I should personally meet you.”

In response, the excited principal thanked Mphaphuli for thinking of their school before visiting other schools under his jurisdiction. “I am so humbled to have received a visit from the owner of the whole Mphaphuli area. Our learners and staff feel very motivated, and the shoes he brought along will restore confidence in our needy learners,” she said. Mathidi promised the traditional leader that they would work hard to improve standards at the school.

Date:27 January 2024

By: Elmon Tshikhudo

Elmon Tshikhudo started off as a photographer. He developed an interest in writing and started submitting articles to local as well as national publications. He became part of the Limpopo Mirror family in 2005 and was a permanent part of the news team until 2019.

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