THOHOYANDOU - There is a saying that goes something like, "leaders are born not made." This seems to be the case with young Rofhiwa Makhadi (18), the son of the former soccer manager in the region and now sports manager within the Thulamela municipality, Mr Ronald Makhadi.

Rofhiwa of Malavuwe, east of Thohoyandou rose above his peers from the community and even at his school, Thohoyandou Technical when it was announced that he is a finalist in the Absa Entrepreneur of the Year competition.

On his own, this Grade 12 learner, who wants to be a pilot one-day, entered this competition after he saw it in one of the Sunday papers in February this year. The competition required any youth of the ages between 18 and 21 to write a story about a project in the area that is helping the community.

Rofhiwa wrote about MBM Stones Specialist, his father's project, which started last year. As it was required in the competition, Rofhiwa submitted the pictures of this project, which does paving from stones. He also submitted the names of the workers, their salaries and bank statements of this project. He also helps at the project in his spare time.

To his amazement, last week Rofhiwa learnt from his father that he was chosen as a finalist, which will qualify him a free trip to Germany and Australia from June 17 to 26. He will also get pocket money of R1 500.

Rofhiwa said he was happy that he would be going overseas for the first time in his life. The furthest he had travelled was when he visited Durban in 1997. Rofhiwa's teacher Humbulani Mutshaini, said Rofhiwa is a well-disciplined pupil, who always works hard and does his schoolwork.

Rofhiwa's father Ronald said he was over the moon about what his son did.