Matriculants of 2022 praised for outstanding achievements

Phalaphala FM’s programme manager, Ms Sharon Ravele, has congratulated Limpopo’s Grade 12 Class of 2022 for their outstanding 72.1% pass rate amidst what must have been one of the most difficult periods to complete the Senior Certificate.

“Learners who excelled deserve praise. We hope that this year’s matriculants will even improve on the high standard set last year. Pupils should be encouraged and supported throughout the year. Stakeholders must take a leaf from the adage that says it takes a community to raise a child. Teachers, pupils, SGBs and the community in general must all play their part,” said Ravele.

Thuthuwedzo

Tshivhula, better known as Ladie Tee, will soon release her first album, titled Mutondi. Photo supplied.

Entertainment

Ephraim Galaha Masindi’s latest music offering, titled Thase ya Haluvhimbi (beautiful girl from Haluvhimbi) is due to be released on 15 February, and promises to be yet another hit sensation with his fans.

This highly respected artist, who started his music career in church, says that this EP, which he produced especially for his eager fans, might be his best work yet. “It was the pressure from my fans that compelled me to work on this album. They begged me to record another full album, but due to my tight personal schedule, it was not possible for me to do a full album immediately, so I decided to record these four tracks to keep my fans happy,” he said.

Masindi, who is a teacher by profession and a lead-guitar wizard, has two successful Tshivenda albums under his belt He drew inspiration from Zimbabwean superstars such as Oliver Mtukudzi and Thomas Mapfumo.

The title track on his latest four-track album, Thase ya Haluvhimbi, holds a special meaning. “The beauty of this girl from the rural village of Haluvhimbi sets tongues wagging wherever she goes. She is the most perfect gift that nature could offer to humanity, and everyone admires her beauty,” he explains.

Masindi says that music lovers would not be able to resist dancing to the powerful tracks on the album. The other songs are Dibviseni mafhungoni, Mulalo, and Vha no da vha re na mari, a Shona track meaning people love those with money. “My music is influenced by both Afro Jazz and Zimbabwean Rhumba. That is why I included the Shona song, Vha no da vha re na mari, because I also have a huge following in Zimbabwe, especially in the town of Beitbridge just across the border. My plan is to officially launch this extended play in Zimbabwe around March this year,” he said. He has some advice for young people who want to follow a career in music. “Music is a very good career, but you must seek education first. The music industry is unpredictable, so you need to have something to fall back on when your music career hits a snag.”

Thase ya Haluvhimbi will be available in all online music stores when it is released on the 15th of this month.

The president of the International Revelation Congress (IRC), Mr Ernest Mammba, said that, despite so many challenges, they had been able to produce excellent results. He urged the department to help schools from rural areas in terms of resources and advised learners to study hard. “It is up to each individual to make it or fail in life. There is no time to waste. It starts the minute the school year starts. I want to encourage all Grade 12s to emulate Rivoni School for the Blind, who produced a 100% pass rate, and make the whole Vhembe region proud,” he said.

Limpopo Premier Stan Mathabatha said that they were extremely excited about the achievements of the various schools and learners and urged the current Grade 12s to work extra hard. He said the province was aiming for an 80% pass rate this year.

Mathabatha committed to resolving infrastructure challenges at schools. He also criticised communities who disrupt schooling. “I wish to appeal to communities to stop disrupting learning and teaching in the name of service delivery protests,” he said.

The deputy federal chairperson of the Democratic Alliance in Limpopo, Mr Jacques Smalle, said he appreciated the learners and educators who had been resilient under very diffi cult conditions. “Our children have to learn under diffi cult conditions. Some children have to write their matric under trees, while others go to school where there are no ablution facilities,” said Smalle.

Parents

Photo supplied.

Parents fed-up watching children walk long distances to school

By Thembi Siaga

Learners of Hluvuka High School in Bungeni finally returned to their classes on Tuesday (24 January), after frustrated parents from Mtsetweni Secondary School had blocked the entrance to their school for three days, demanding that the school admit Grade 8 and 9 learners again.

In 2015, Hluvuka High School used to still admit Grade 8-12 learners. Then, in 2016, Grade 8 and 9 learners were moved to Mtsetweni Secondary because Hluvuka High was being renovated. The parents say the circuit manager promised to take Grade 8 and 9 learners in again as soon as the renovations were done, but this did not happen. Renovations at Hluvuka were completed that same year (2016), and since then the school has not taken in Grade 8 and 9 learners. Now parents are demanding that the circuit manager keep her promise.

The protest started on Thursday morning (19 January). More than 80 parents