The Vhembe District's top Grade 12 achievers of 2024 were honoured at an awards ceremony held at the Nandoni River View Lodge on Saturday. Guests at the function included the executive mayor of the Vhembe District Municipality, Freda Nkondo, and the Limpopo chairperson of the National Education Collaboration Trust (NECT), Judge Justice Raulinga.
Murendeni Ndanduleni of the Musanda Foundation welcomed the 27 former Grade 12 pupils who attended the event. These included Phathutshedzo Mudzanani from Fhatuwani Secondary School, who was the top performer in the country for Quintile 1 (no-fee) schools, and Wangoho Mudau from Mbilwi Secondary School, who achieved the best marks in mathematics in the country. Also present was Nnzumbululo Todani, from Mbilwi Secondary, who was placed second nationally in the top results for Quintile 4 schools and first in Limpopo, and Lalamani Maselesele from Tshivhase Secondary, who produced the second-best results in Vhembe East and topped the results for Quintile 2 schools in South Africa.
In his congratulatory message, Khosi Muelekanyi Tshivhase said the Vhembe region had demonstrated remarkable academic performance this year. Notably, Vhembe East District achieved an impressive pass rate of 85.8%.
"Your determination, resilience and hard work have brought you here today. You have set a shining example for others to follow, proving that excellence is possible, even in the face of challenges. Your achievements are not just numbers or grades; they represent the long hours you dedicated to studying, the sacrifices you made and your unwavering commitment to achieving your goals," said Khosi Muelekanyi Tshivhase.
The Tshivhase Development Foundation Trust awarded R5,000 to each of the 27 top learners. The Domba Trust also gave R10,000 to some of Limpopo's top 12 learners.
Mayor Freda Nkondo congratulated the achievers and reminded them to apply for the Vhembe Mayoral Bursary Fund before Friday, 24 January.