A rural school principal, Mr Nkhangweleni Nemudzivhadi of Thengwe Secondary School near Mutale, who recently won the Kader Asmal Award, has declared that “nothing will stop his school from shining more and more brightly”.

Thengwe Secondary in the Tshandama village is excelling in producing astonishing matric results, despite being situated in a rural area.

Nemudzivhadi was among the chosen few teachers and principals in South Africa who were rewarded for their outstanding work, dedication and commitment at the 12th annual National Teaching Awards, held at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

The Kader Asmal Excellence Award is a special ministerial award named after a former Minister of Education, the late Prof Kader Asmal. After receiving the award, Nemudzivhadi said it was the team work between the various stakeholders, viz. the parents, pupils and teachers, that was behind his success. “Everyone knows what is expected and we emphasise that nothing is impossible. I urge other teachers to also walk the extra mile for the benefit of the pupils," said Nemudzivhadi.

Nemudzivhadi has been the principal at the school since 1986 and the school has been producing a matric pass rate of above 98% for the past five years. It has 287 learners and 64 teachers.

Nemudzivhadi also received a cheque of R50 000, a trophy and an advanced tablet computer during the ceremony.