HA-MASHAMBA – The community assembled at the Tshiitwa Secondary School at Ha-Mashamba to bid farewell to their school principal, who finished teaching in December 2003.

Former and current learners and colleagues bid farewell to Mr Murembiwa Samuel Mudau (65) who worked as the school principal of Tshiitwa Secondery School since it was established in 1982.

The Superintendent at the Voortrekker Hospital, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, who obtained her junior certificate at the school in 1986, told Mirror that Mudau always encouraged them to pursue their careers in maths and science. "As a biology teacher, he advised me to continue with maths and science when I went to Mbilwi in 1989. I still remember when he said in class, 'I want all of you to become something better than I did,'" she said.

Her younger sister, Dr Avhafuniwi Ramathuba, who is practicing as a dentist in Middelburg, Mpumalanga, said he was a good leader who liked everyone. When asked what it is that she learnt from Mr Mudau, she mentioned discipline, respect and time management.

Mr Mudau revealed that he had produced a lot of teachers, lawyers and doctors. He said that his matric results were always good during his time and last year the school obtained an 82% pass rate.

The chairperson of the school governing body, Mr MF Rambau, said the retired school principal was not idle, but a hardworking leader who played a vital role when the school obtained good results. "The school has about 670 learners, including those from the nearby villages. We will definitely miss him," he said.