Ha-Mashamba - MEC for Limpopo Department of Education Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya accompanied by the Deputy Minister of Department of Basic Education (DBE), Dr Reginah Mhaule graced the occasion where the Deputy Minister was addressing and motivating over one thousand one hundred learners from ten (10) Secondary schools in the Vhembe West Education District under Hlanganani North Circuit ahead of the 2022 NSC Examinations at Vhembe TVET College, Mashamba Campus late last year. Amongst those who graced the event was Professor Stanley Mukhola who indicated that the matric result in the area is very poor, therefore the Traditional Leader, Thovhele Khosi VhoMashamba requested the presence of the Deputy Minister of Basic Education to come and encourage, motivate and give hope to the grade 12 learners and also plead with parents to support their learners with their studies. “We believe together with our learners; we are going to cross the bridge. It is possible and doable” said Prof. Mukhola.

In her address, the Deputy Minister of Basic Education urged the learners to use the remaining 32 days for preparations and nothing else. “The motivation that we are going to give you today, is not a motivation that is going to make any magic, there shall be no magic, you need to study. Coming from a humble beginning, the poorest of the poor, take Mr Mukwevho Carlton for instance, the whole world is in his hands, he is the South African National Commission for UNESCO, there was no magic, he studied hard. A commitment and dedication, looking at yourselves, not comparing yourself with any other person, not following your friends, because not all friends are good for you, other friends are detrimental to your life, they are a silent killer in the name of a friend and love. any person who starts to compete with you, is a person next to you. As of today, you are only left with thirty-two (32) days to sit for the English Paper I examination on the 31st of October 2022, think about the situation at home, to say, I want to change the situation at home to be better than it is. Be an individual within the group, your success is not in the group but with you. Out of you, we are expecting future leaders, loadshedding or no loadshedding, you are going to make it and pass. you cannot accompany anyone; you are responsible to lead South Africa to where it is supposed to be. Do not just study hard but also study smart. Be respectful to your parents and teachers and continue to go to school every day” said Deputy Minister Mhaule. MEC Lerule - Ramakhanya added that learners cannot throw their future while looking away.She emphasized that they come from different backgrounds, and cannot be judged equally and there is a serious need to change the narratives of who they are. The MEC assured matriculants that their backgrounds can change only if they put an extra effort in their studies.

Story by: Ndivhuwo Mukhada