"It does not matter whether you did not become a premier, civil engineer, doctor or a cabinet minister. The most important thing is whether you serve your community with distinction wherever you are. A community builder is not measured by the position he or she occupies, but by the quality of the job that the person does for the nation."

So said the Speaker of the Limpopo Legislature, Dr Tshenuwani Farisani, during the farewell function of a retiring dedicated academic, Mr Michel Nndanduleni Nemukovhani (65), who served the Department of Education for more than 30 years.

Nemukovhani was the principal of Shayandima High School for the past 28 years. He retired last Friday. The farewell function was held at the school premises, with various guests witnessing.

Farisani commended Nemukovhani for his distinctive leadership skills and hard work. "Under his leadership, we have witnessed the school growing by leaps and bounds. He is a hard worker whose contribution will never be forgotten. We hope the young generation will learn from him because the seed that he planted is always blossoming each time of the year. During his tenure, he has produced doctors, civil engineers, educators and other prominent people who are assisting in the running of this country. His is a well-deserved rest because he has worked hard."

On behalf of the Department of Education, the acting circuit manager of Dzindi, Mrs Tshivhidzo Mukhodobwane, who has known Nemukovhani since 1958, said he was a hard worker who always persevered. "He was also an intelligent learner who did not do Std 3, 5 and Form II because he was promoted to higher classes. I urge educators to let the spirit of Nemukovhani linger at the school because he had displayed dedication during his time at this school. We will always cherish his good leadership skills because he was born to be a leader."

When responding, Nemukovhani said everything was possible through the greatness of God. "I was denied the chance to become an inspector three times by the apartheid government, even when I passed the interviews and selection tests because of my involvement in the liberation struggle. That did not discourage me from working very hard for the development of education in my community. I know that everything will go on very well even though I am going, because I have laid a strong foundation of development in this school. I always strived for success because I know that the more you strive, the more you become successful. However, I am always available as academic consultant for everything that needs to be done for the development of this school."