MIANZWI – Thovhele Kennedy Midiyavhathu Tshivhase and Mr Venn Parson, the Contract Manager of Pinnacle Micro Technologies, spoke in tune when they urged community members to take education seriously because it is the basis from which all prosperity starts.

They made their plea during the Midiyavhathu Educational Achievement Awards ceremony at Luaname Primary School, outside Thohoyandou, on Saturday. The function was made possible through the joint efforts of Thovhele Midiyavhathu Kenndy Tshivhase, Venn Parson and the headman of Mianzwi, Vho-Dzudzanyani Tshivhase, who is a well-known academic.

Pinnacle Micro Technologies, which specializes in computer manufacturing, sponsored the function with R20 000 for trophies and cash prizes for the best achievers. They have also donated R50 000 for two boreholes in the village and they have also handed three computers and two printers to the local Lunwanngwe Secondary School.

The best achievers were nominated from Luaname Primary, Mianzwi Primary and Lunwanngwe Secondary schools.

Tshivhase urged all the educational stakeholders to work as a team for the development of education in his area. He also announced the formation of the Tshivhase Educational Forum, which mainly focuses on the improvement of education, especially among the poorest, in the Ha-Tshivhase area. “The time for pointing fingers amongst ourselves is over. We must join hands to create a better life for our children. By encouraging our kids to take education seriously, we are also waging a war against crime, poverty and unemployment.”

Tshivhase also encouraged traditional leaders to work hard in order to contribute to the development of education for their subjects. He also commended traditional leaders under his guidance, who are holding key positions at different platforms because they studied hard, regardless of their status.

“We have doctors, educators, commissioners and high-profile figures who are traditional leaders and this encourages their people to engage themselves in education. Education is the only key to success and I would like to congratulate those who are awarded here today. I believe the award ceremony will also encourage those who did not make it to pull up their socks in the field of education.”

Venn Parson said it is the objective of his company to improve the standard of education in the rural areas. He also encouraged other companies to engage themselves in the development of education to build a strong and educated nation. “An educated and independent nation always achieves its goal as it will always be easier to work together and to plan for their future. Our company is delighted to be associated with Mianzwi village and we will keep on supporting people from the rural areas so that they may enjoy life like those who are in urban areas.”

Cash prizes awarded during the function amounted to R7 500 whereas the value of the trophies was R12 500. Some of the achievers who walked away with prizes are Mr Nthatheni Tshilande (best principal in the three schools of the village). He received a trophy and R1 000 cash prize. Tshilidzi Mauda was the best student at Lunwanngwe Secondary School and he also received a trophy and R1 000, whereas the best learner at Mianzwi Primary, Maria Mavhungu, received a trophy and R600 cash.