THOHOYANDOU - The community of Block F in Thohoyandou had their annual Thohoyandou Block F Day held at the Thohoyandou Technical High School on Saturday.

On the same day the Civic Association of Block F handed out trophies and certificates to the top ten students who reside in the area. According to Norman Muvhulawa Tshikukununu, this function was held in order to encourage community members to work harder in their jobs. Students were particularly encouraged to work harder at school.

In the best matric results category position ten was taken by Mashapo Ntsi Victoria, position nine by Mutandanyi Phumudzo Thinawanga followed by Nemakundani Masala in position 8; position seven was taken by Mutandanyi Maanea Mpho. Tshifularo Muwanwa Phillip took position six. Position five by Mulaudzi Thivhusiwi Vhadonnyitani, Position four was taken by Mbulaheni Mudzunga and position three by Ramutsindela Fhatuwani with three distinctions and three B symbols. Mandavha Mbiludziavhavha Mildred took position two with four distinctions and two B symbols Phathutshedzo Mabogo from Mbilwi High took position one with six distinctions in all the six subjects. Mabogo also received a laptop computer worth R23 000 from King Kennedy Midiyavhathu Tshivhase and R1 000 cash from Mr Abudullah Patel, a well-known businessman in the Province.

Dr Musehane from Univen also gave Mabogo a big trophy.

This function was attended by among others traditional leaders and other highly recognised people like the Mayor of the Thulamela Municipality Chief Makumbane and Counsellor Tshikovhi and Tshiofhi Ratshitanga.

The Regional Director of Education, Mr Mathivha also attended the function as a guest speaker. He emphasised that he was impressed with the way the community of Block F is handling itself, most especially with regard to education matters because the community even established its own winter school exclusively for Block F students. Teachers from the same community volunteer to upgrade the standard of education in their community.

Mathivha further explained that there are 1 300 schools in this province and in the Top Ten schools in the matric results, 4 schools were from this region with the likes of St Brandons High School, Mbilwi High School, Thohoyandou High School and Thengwe High School. He further said that this Province had 71 000 students who wrote the matric examination last year and in the best Top 15 students, five were from this region and in the whole Province the best students in Economics were from this region.

These were students from Thengwe High while also the best students in Physical Science and Biology were from this region. Mathivha further said that Harry Oppenheimer took position one and Mbilwi High took second position, but at the end of the day, Mbilwi High has got more quality results than Harry Oppenheimer High School.

He concluded by congratulating all the 2002 matriculants and encouraged the 2003 matriculants to perform better than their predecessors.

Mathivha also confessed that he is very much satisfied with the outcome of the transformation of the higher education landscape led by education Minister Prof Kader Asmal.

The fact that Univen will no longer be amalgamated with Turfloop (Unin) is encouraging in that Technikon-type education will also be available to students in this province. Therefore there will be no need for students to go to other Provinces for pursuing various careers in tertiary education.