The Vhavenda king, Thovhele Toni Mphephu Ramabulana, has urged primary school pupils to take their education seriously, saying it was the only key that could open closed doors and make them realise their dreams in life.

The king, who was in the company of Deputy Minister Obed Bapela, an entourage from the DRC, Eastern Cape and local senior traditional leaders on Friday, met the pupils from Mutoti Primary School at Nandoni Dam's Royal Gardens.

All members of the school, comprised of 162 pupils and teachers, were some of the king's special guests during a Heritage Day festival held at the popular resort. The school, situated a few kilometres away from Thohoyandou and at the doorstep of Nandoni Dam, was selected by the organizers of the festival to be the guests of the king.

During the interaction, the children were asked educational questions and about issues of culture and heritage. They also sang and danced for the king and his entourage.

Playing with the children, King Toni told them that only education would make them good people with good jobs of good standing in the community. He told them that even if their backgrounds were not good, that was no reason for them to fail in life as the government and generous people like himself were helping those in need to pursue their dreams. "Education is the only weapon that could free you from the scourge of unemployment and poverty. With education, you have everything at your fingertips and you can go as far as you wish in life," he said.

The principal of the school, Ms Thelma Marole, said their meeting was a blessing and privilege for the children and the school as a whole. She said that, besides being a first for the youngsters to meet the king, some of her teaching staff knew the king by seeing him on TV and in the newspapers. “We are greatly humbled by this gesture by the organizers of the Phalaphala Royal Gardens Festival, who chose us among many schools to be with the king. Our children learnt a lot and the king was a hit with the kids, who were happy to have him speak to them,” she said.