One of the best performing schools in the province, Thengwe Secondary, is hit hard by the notorious "brain drain".

This year only, Thengwe, which has been making headlines every year for producing good matric results, has lost five top-quality teachers. The teachers are Donald Nekhunguni, Litshani Nekhubvi, Abraham Mavhungu, Phumudzo Muthige and Nyelisani Mudau.

Nekhunguni, who has been teaching Economics for Grade 12 since 1988, where he produced several 100% marks from a number of pupils, left the school at the end of September and became a full-time councillor at the Mutale municipality.

Nekhubvi, who was teaching Accountancy in grade twelve and ten where she produced several distinctions since 1988, will be joining the Mutale municipality as an accountant, starting from the first of December.

Mavhungu and Muthige, who were teaching English and Afrikaans respectively for grade 10 and 11 since the early 90s, have taken senior positions in other schools while, Mudau who was also teaching English in grade 12 and 11, is moving to Gauteng for greener pastures.

It is also reported that the school’s deputy principal, Mr Mashudu Netshandama, is leaving for a managerial post in the department’s head office in Polokwane. Netshandama is teaching mathematics and science at the school.

Thengwe is among the top ten of the best performing schools in the province. In the past six years, the school has been producing not less than a 97% pass rate in matric results where last year it scored 99.3%.

The school principal, Mkhangweni Nemudzivhadi, and the department spokesperson, Ndo Mangala, confirmed that the resignation of the teachers in the school was a big loss, while adding that: "Those who will replace them will keep the cultivated culture going forward."