Community members, colleagues, friends, and loved ones plan on celebrating the lives of two community builders, Vho-Mavhungu Maria Masekela-Badugela (90) and Vho-Rambelani Silas Badugela (94) tomorrow at Zwithuzwavhudi Secondary School at Gondeni village.
The two Badugelas are a couple who have touched the lives of many people through the decades. They worked as educators before they went on pension in the early 1990s.
"Vho-Badugela started teaching at Gondeni Primary School as a private teacher (teacher doing practicals in those years) when the school was still housed at the Lutheran Church before 1960," said Dr Avhasei Khomunala. "In 1960, he returned with his wife to a newly established school, called Gondeni Primary School, which was no longer in the Lutheran Church building. This was where he was made the principal, and his wife was working as a teacher in the lower primary section from 1960 onwards."
They had made it possible for the first-ever secondary school in the area, Frans Rasimphi Secondary School, to be established and opened in 1975 at Ha-Radali. This school catered for the surrounding villages. "Vho-Badugela became the first principal of this secondary school," he said. "He was eventually appointed as circuit manager, a position he held until he went on pension in 1991."
He was also an entrepreneur who set up a barbershop at Sibasa, a butchery at Duthuni, a driving school at Sibasa and a cattle farm in Khalavha, where he created jobs for many people. "He had worked with traditional leaders in the Tshivhase area and all neighbouring areas, and he also held key positions in the ELCSA," Dr Khomunala said.
Vho-Masekela-Badugela worked at Gondeni Primary School from 1960 until she went on pension. Because of her hard work, she was promoted into the position of principal for the Lunungwi Lower Primary School. "She is the author of VHONA books for lower grades, alongside Prof Asnath Elelwani Khuba," Khomunala said.
After going on pension, she was asked to help in the establishment of a crèche for Gondeni village, where she also assisted with the early-childhood development of the young ones.
The couple have been blessed with five children.
The ceremony starts at 09:30. For more information, kindly contact Mr Phanda Mphanama (076 996 5372), Mr Solomon Badugela (076 485 4055) or Mr Kone Mafanedza (076 950 7470).