The Mayor of Thulamela, Khosi Vho Thivhulawi Makumbane urged all to give credit where it is due and to appreciate the good work that other people do for their communities.

Makumbane recently addressed guests and recipients during the Thulamela Municipality Achievers Awards that were held at the Thohoyandou Town Hall.

During the ceremony, more than 40 outstanding individuals and organizations that went an extra mile outside their scope of duty in improving their lives and those of others thereby putting the municipality in the spotlight, received awards and accolades. The outstanding personalities and organizations were awarded in the fields of education, sports, masakhane, community builders and arts and culture.

Addressing the packed hall, Makumbane said that his municipality is a winning municipality and will always identify itself with winners and hard workers, like the ones who were being awarded. “The good work that you do out there without any assistance cannot just go unnoticed, you have to be recognized and appreciated, this is how we value your work,” he said. Makumbane said that he found it befitting that the heroes and heroines are motivated to improve the lives of the majority of our people.

“It is through the selfless sacrifices of these hardworking men and women, institutions and organizations that the lives of the majority of the poor are being taken care of, and are improved, and this token of appreciation will motivate them,” he said.

Makumbane said that he was happy to give the awards to the outstanding individuals and organizations, as they were the ones who had hoisted the flag of the municipality high locally and internationally. He said that it was interesting to note that most of the recipients had achieved a lot, irrespective of their backgrounds.

“The conditions and the background in which most of these achievers found themselves were full of challenges, and this makes it more appropriate that they be acknowledged in public, they deserve to be recognized in public because they have put our municipality on the world map,” he said.

Mr Nditsheni Ramugondo, principal of Mbilwi Secondary School said that it was a good thing that the municipality recognized its people, and showed a big interest in the education of its people. He said that 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 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 that the award will propel them to work even harder in order to keep up the record.

Old Mutual won the prestigious Community Builder’s Award for their contributions towards community upliftment. Old Mutual has, over the years, partnered the municipality in initiating projects that benefitted the community; they have on countless occasions helped schools and crèches in the municipality. On behalf of the organization, Mr Tom Dagada said they were humbled by the award. “We did not know that what we were doing was being noticed by the community, it feels good to be appreciated and to be honoured by your own people and municipality,” he said. He said that the award would motivate them to increase their involvement in the community.

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

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.

100% pass rate during the 2007 Grade 12 final examinations: Mbilwi High School, Gumani Technical High School, Emmanuel 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), Tshikovhokvho Z (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. of I PP Mhinga High.

Achievement of the Decade: Mbilwi High School.

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

Soccer: Mr Hulisani Mabasa, Lindelani Mudau, Livhuwani Netshiongolwe, Khorommbi Nemavhola.

Disabled Sports: Festus Mbulaheni, Ronald Mufamadi, Fulufhelo Mavhengele and Ndivhuho Khedzi.

Wheel chair Tennis: Sydwell Mathonsi. 

Basketball: Tshilidzi Nephawe.

Arts: Xitsundzuxo Nthlamu, Hangwani Ramakuewela, Dakalo Kwinda, Rudzani Netshianane .