The Provincial Treasury MEC, Mr David Masondo, visited two secondary schools in the Sinthumule and Kutama area last Wednesday morning to motivate teachers and pupils to continue working hard.

The schools are Kutama Senior Secondary in Muduluni and Sinthumule Secondary in Ramantsha.

Masondo expressed his appreciation to the two schools for the excellent pass rate they had achieved in 2012.“The results are excellent,” he said. “And we want to believe that these schools will achieve more than this, come the end of this year.”

Kutama Secondary produced a 90,73% pass rate for 2012 and was announced as the top performer in the Kutama and Sinthumule area and for the Soutpansberg West Circuit. Sinthumule Senior Secondary scored 75%.

Masondo addressed the Grade12 pupils and encouraged them to start preparing for their end-of-year examinations right now by focusing on studying. “Work hand in glove with your teachers. Listen to them and obey instructions and you'll see yourself achieving good results.”

He then acknowledged the fact that there are many obstructions which lure the youngsters along the way, such as discos and parties where they imbibe liquor when they should be studying. “Stay away from all those things,” he said. “Such a lifestyle might seem enjoyable and feel good, but I am telling you the truth - it only lasts for a short moment and then your future gets lost in that nice time.”

The principal of Kutama Secondary, Mr Balanganani Ramasindi, said the school felt encouraged and promised to work hard. “We hope to achieve more,” he said. “We will achieve good results through working together with learners and parents.”

A Grade12 pupil, Mulalo Alilali (17) said she was happy to be part of a school that produced people who went on to study further at different institutions of higher learning and became pillars of society. “I am happy to find myself in this school,” she enthused. “With the kind of good results which we have achieved for the 2012 class, I rest assured that I am going to pass. I will work harder.”