Pupils and teachers at two schools rejoiced when the mayor of the Makhado Municipality, Cllr David Mutavhatsindi, paid them a visit as part of the municipality's Back to School project on Monday morning.

Mutavhatsindi visited John Mutheiwana Secondary School at Tshimbupfe and Xilumani Primary School at Chavani to hand school uniforms and stationery to needy pupils. He also had an opportunity to interact with the learners and parents.

Five pupils at John Mutheiwana Secondary were given full school uniforms, including satchels and stationery. In addressing the Grade 12 class, Mutavhatsindi vouched R10 000 for ten pupils, whom he had taught at the local primary school, if they manage to pass matric at the end of year. He set aside an additional R5 000 for the top three pupils from the general Grade12s. “All this money comes from my own, personal pocket,” Mutavhatsindi said.

The school produced a 97,95% Grade 12 pass rate last year, and 100% in 2011. “The mayor's pledge of R15 000 to our school tells us that we need to work very hard,” said the principal, Mr Patrcik Sikhwari.

At least 15 Xilumani Primary School pupils received school uniforms. “I would like the thank the mayor for his kindness,” said a Grade 7 pupil, Fumani Maluleke. “It seems as if he knew that I didn't have a proper school uniform.”

A head of department at Xilumani, Mr Joseph Baloyi, gave an overview of the school for the past few years and described the school's achievements in sports, academic work and groundwork such as horticulture. “Our netball team is the best one in the province,” he said. “We represent the province at national level. But we still do not have a proper road which leads to our school,” he added

The municipal councillor and local chief, Mr Thomas Mukhari, said that the the road to Xilumani was one of the six roads which have been budgetted for in the 2012/13 budget of the Makhado Municipality.