Learners and teachers at Lodirile High School were congratulated by an appreciative City for their excellent matric results, achieved despite a turbulent year.

Councillor David Letsie hands out certificates to educators

LAST year was one of the most difficult and turbulent years for educators and learners, said councillor David Letsie, "and we want to say thank you for job well done".

Letsie was applauding Lodirile High School educators and learners at a school assembly. The school is in Swanieville, and Letsie is the ward councillor in the area.

He said Lodirile was the only high school in Swanieville and like many other schools in the country, it had managed to produce a good matriculant pass rate under difficult circumstances.

"Our visit to the school is not a once-off stopover and as government we will continue to visit and support all schools that do well and those that are not performing well.

Councillors Emily Mathe, John Mokotla and David Letsie hand over a certificate of acknowledgement to school principal Zinto Nhlapo

"The educators and learners of this school managed to navigate difficult times when the educators went on a national strike … in spite of that, they managed to work together and produced good results. And for that we as Mogale City councillors and officials are here today to motivate and encourage you [educators and learners] to keep up the good work."

Speaking directly to the learners, he said: "The good results that the school has produced go as far as being discipline both in and off classroom, respecting your teachers, doing your homework and being at school on time."

Lodirile is located in the poverty-stricken township of Swanieville, near Kagiso Extension 12 and Azaadville. It was established in 2005. The first group of learners to write matric examinations at the school did it proud, bringing home a 100 percent pass rate.

Last year, the school achieved a 98 percent pass rate in the matric examinations, and as a token of appreciation, Letsie, who was accompanied by fellow councillor Emily Mathe and Letshabo Tshose, the Mogale City Local Youth Forum chairperson, gave Mogale City certificates of appreciation to all the educators, and pens and rulers to the learners.

Letshabo Tshose addresses learners at Lodirile High School

School principal Zinto Nhlapo was delighted with the visit, saying: "We are pleased and overjoyed to have representatives of the municipality visiting our school. This shows that we are doing a good job and I hope that my staff will appreciate the certificates that were given to them. As a team we will continue to work hard and make our city proud."

Mathe said: "We are happy for you [educators and learners] for making our city proud. We hope that the class of 2011 will emulate the previous learners and do the school proud as well. We want to see doctors and engineers emerging from this school."

Mogale City Youth Forum was proud to have schools such as this for working hard and producing good results, Tshose said. "However, we want to caution those learners who come to school carrying dangerous weapons and dagga … to stop their actions. School is meant for teaching and criminal activities are therefore discouraged and not allowed within the school premises."

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