More than 40 outstanding individuals and organizations that went an extra mile outside the scope of their duty in improving their lives and those of others, thereby putting the municipality in the spotlight, were made to shine during the 10th Annual Thulamela Municipality Achievers Awards Ceremony on Friday last week at the Thohoyandou Town Hall.

Outstanding personalities and organizations were awarded in the fields of education, sports, masakhane, community building and arts and culture.

Addressing the recipients and those in attendance, the mayor of Thulamela, Khosi Vho Thivhulawi Makumbane, said the municipality found it befitting to give tokens of appreciation to the hardworking men and women, institutions and organizations for their selfless sacrifices in making sure that the lives of the majority of the poor were being taken care of and were improved.  "These are men and women who have hoisted the flag of the municipality high locally and internationally. The tokens we are giving them today will serve to motivate them and also motivate those who have still not decided to act now and help develop our municipality,” he said.

Makumbane said the conditions and the background most of these achievers were full of challenges, which made it more appropriate that they be acknowledged in public because they have put the municipality on the world map.

Mr Nditsheni Ramugondo, principal of Mbilwi Secondary School, said it was a good thing that the municipality recognized its people and showed interest in the education of its people. He said schools were faced with a mammoth task of adjusting themselves to the new curriculum. “There is nothing called a super school. We are all starting on a new slate, which comes with a lot of hard work,” he said. Ramugondo paid a special tribute to the parents of the children for allowing the school to take control of them while at school. “Without their support, we would not have succeeded,” he said. He said the award would compel them to work even harder in order to keep up the record.

The complete list of the award recipients and the different categories are as follows:

Community Builders: Tshififi Elderly Soccer, Old Mutual, Vhembe Funeral Practitioners, Mashudu Simali (Tshififi Clinic); 

Education: Learners who passed Grade 12 with 100% distinctions: Rabelani Nengovhela, Fulufhedzani Mulaudzi, Mkateko Masangu, Thina Ramatsea, Tshimangadzo Sivhadi, Gudani Ratshimbilani and Mulalo Denga.

Schools with 100% pass rate during the 2007 Grade 12 final examinations: Mbilwi High School, Gumani Technical High School, Emmanel High School, Tshivhase High School, Tshikevha Christian High School and Nazarene School.

Most Improved Schools: Gijana High School and Zwithuzwavhudi Secondary School.

Learners who passed with distinction: Livhuwani Takalani (Mbilwi), Rendani Mbuvha (Mbilwi), Aluwani Mauda (Mbilwi), Dakalo Mufamadi (Mbilwi), Z Tshikovhokvho (Mbilwi) Luvhengo Todani (Mphaphuli), Cyril Nenguyuni (Mukula Intergrated), N Tshifhumulo (Mbilwi), A Khorommbi, Kunai Desai (Liivha), Renewal Goliath (Thase), Israel Tshililo (Mbilwi), Murendeni Tshitimbi (Mbilwi), Mugubi (Marude) and Xitsundzuxo Nthlamu.

Achievement of the decade: Mbilwi High School.

Electricity partnerships with villages: Ximixoni, Mudzidzidzi, Saselamani, Radali, Tshiavha.

Boxing: Isaac Hlatswayo, Masana Manganyi, Sfiso Hlongwane, Hlonipho Mabogo, T. Mudau, Muvhuso Nedzanani and Cassius Baloyi.

Soccer: Mr Neluvhola, Mr Mabasa, Lindelani Mudau and Livhuwani Netshiongolwe.

Disabled Sports: Festus Mbulaheni, Olga Phaswana, Ronald Mufamadi, Edwin Mudau, Ishmael Tshipuke, Pfariso Konanani.

Wheel chair tennis: Sydwell Mathonsi 

Basketball: Tshilidzi Nephawe.

Arts: Xitsundzuxo Nthlamu, Hangwani Ramakuewela, Dakalo Kwinda.