Makatu Shihlomulo, a Grade 6 student from Emmanuel Christian School in Louis Trichardt, was delighted when she was given VIP treatment on September 1 after winning first prize in the primary school phase of the Forestry Youth Advancement Awards competition held by the country’s Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Makatu’s VIP experience began when she received the news that she was to travel to Bloemfontein with her Natural Science educator, Mrs Maria Makhado, in order to receive the award during Arbour Week. The slogan for the initiative was “Plant trees – save our Planet”.

Makatu and her educator were treated to first-class accommodation at the Southern Sun Hotel in Bloemfontein. Even greater was Makatu’s delight and surprise when she was congratulated for her success by Dr Pieter Mulder, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Makatu was awarded a beautiful trophy and a certificate and the school is to receive a desktop computer in recognition of Makatu’s achievement.