On 31 December, local academic Mr Livhuwani Phophi (62) officially retired from the Department of Basic Education, where he served as circuit manager for the Sambandou Circuit. To wish him luck on this next phase in his life, the Makonde branch of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Southern Africa, where Phophi also serves as one of the church's leaders, held a tea party in his honour.
Addressing the congregants, Phophi thanked the church for recognising the contributions he had made to the development of education. "I was not serving my community for name or fame but being recognised by my church is something that I will cherish for the rest of my life. I would not have achieved all this if it were not for the support from my fellow Christians in the church. I am looking forward to my retirement, which now gives me enough time to work for the church and concentrate on my farming activities," Phophi said.
Phophi's educational journey was not an easy one. After matriculating at Khwevha High School in 1979, he obtained several higher education qualifications. He worked for the then Republic of Venda's Auditor General's Office and later took up a teaching post at Khwevha High School - the same school from which he had obtained his matric. He also worked as a lecturer at the Ramaano Mbulaheni Training Centre and Makhado College of Education. He returned to Khwevha High School as principal in 1992 and ultimately became Vhumbedzi's circuit manager in 2008, from where he moved up to lead the Sambandou Circuit until his retirement.
Evangelist Lufuno Siaba said the church was honoured to have a community builder such as Phophi, who had sacrificed his life to empower his society through education. "We have no doubt that our young ones will follow in his footsteps and his spirit of community building. He is such a wonderful gift to the church, and we wish him good health and happiness in his retirement."