Tondani Nevhukalanga and Mukovhe Matshonyonge, both 18 years old and Grade 12 learners at the Shayandima School of Tomorrow, are presently in the United Kingdom. They are visiting Maranatha Christian School as exchange students.

The two left the country in September and will stay abroad until the end of this month. The two are staying with Christian families and are attending classes there. As part of their trip, they are visiting many areas and will have the chance to interact with other students.

The principal of the school, Mr Brad Palmer, said it had always been a dream for the school to take some of the students abroad to gain international exposure. “It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the learners, as they would not have got the chance if they had not registered with us and we are sure they will be good ambassadors of their school,” he said. “We feel we have an obligation to see this area develop and one way of doing this is by initiating programmes like these, which will see learners being afforded the chance of a lifetime,” he said.

Palmer said they would like to see young people from the area fly like eagles, to believe in themselves and achieve their goals and dreams. “We have a dream to see children rise and live their lives to the fullest and to achieve what God brought them for in this world. We are awaiting good fruits from them when they come back,” he said. To qualify, the students have to show a good academic record and be of good Christian qualities and should be exemplary to others.

Shayandima School of Tomorrow, with an enrolment of more than 180 and a staff of 22, is the only school in the Vhembe District that has introduced swimming classes. Classes commenced a year and half ago and since then, many learners have had the opportunity to learn to swim.