MUTALE – The Venetia Mine of the De Beers Company has built three classes for the extremely disadvantage secondary school at Thengwe in the Mutale area.

During a ceremony held at the school a fortnight ago, Mr Leon Nkhwashu of the De Beers Corporate Social Services, said De Beers commended Luvhengo Secondary School for recording an exemption rate of 92,8% last year. They are regarded as one of the best schools in the province and De Beers wishes that the present batch of Grade 12 learners would be able to uphold this record in this year's examination.

"After democratisation and the elections of 1994, business in South Africa was confronted with a new set of needs and roles. Now the priority was to rebuild and expand opportunity, creating mechanisms so that all can share in the promise democracy offered in real and lasting ways, and we at De Beers are leading by example," said Nkhwashu.

"De Beers believe that education, like diamonds, is forever. The De Beers Fund currently supports more than 600 projects a year with grants totalling R23 million," he said. The principal, Mr Philemon Maudu, said that the three classes is a boost to them as they previously had four classrooms and now they have seven classes.

He said the school started in 1986 with learners attending under trees due to a shortage of classrooms.