The Mutale municipality showed its commitment to service delivery when it rewarded its achievers who went beyond the scope of duty and worked hard to improve their lives and those of others during a Mayoral Excellence Awards ceremony held during the weekend.

The recipients were awarded in nine categories which included education, sports, LED projects, indigenous games, traditional dances and home-based care. The winners went home with trophies and some cash incentives. The host, Mayor Cllr Lucas Manyuha, said the people who went an extra mile in improving the lives of the poor masses in the area deserved to be rewarded. He said it was time that all celebrate the good works that people do without being compensated for it.

He said the awards were meant to motivate those who soldiered on in the face of hardships as they were positioned in the most rural municipality. "We acknowledge the selfless sacrifices by these people for all to draw lessons from and make meaningful contribution to their communities," he said.

The Speaker of the Provincial Legislature, Dr Tshenuwani Farisani paid special tribute to the illiterate Vho Makhadzi Vho Tshinanga who stole the attention of ANC stalwart and leader Walter Sisulu when he was installed as Chancellor of the University of Venda. "She may not have won an award during her lifetime, but she managed to mesmerize thousands of our people before she passed away some years ago," he said. He said the only way people could attain achievement was through hard work and perseverance. He urged all to work with focus and dedication, with a goal that would make them reach any destination. Farisani said he was proud to see women from Limpopo dominating the Shoprite/Checkers awards for the past five years.

Mr Freddy Marubini won the award for being the best mathematics teacher, Mashudu Mabidi for poetry and Mboneni Primary School for being the most beautiful school. In the LED Projects, Bale HBC Gardening scooped the first prize, Mangwele Park was voted the tourism awards winner and MTT Youth Development Focus won the Youth Development category. The function was sponsored by Dr Nkhelebeni Phaswana of Kalahari Publishers and Productions, Mr Rex Mamidze, Mr Todani Mulovhedzi and Mr Robert Netshisahulu.