BY ERIC MATOME KGOMO
Middleburg: MEC for Department of Education in Mpumalanga, Bonakele Majuba, conferred tokens of appreciation to Hoerskool Middleburg learner Willem Kurpershoek and Emakhazeni Local Municipality (ELM).
Kurpershoek, from Hoerskool Middleburg in Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, was recognized by Majuba for being the overall 2020 matric top achiever in the province, passing all his seven subjects with distinctions.
ELM was the best performer in 2020 Grade 12 results, recording 88% pass mark, which surpassed all the 17 provincial local municipalities within the Mpumalanga Province. Majuba kick started his visit at Hoerskool Middleburg, accompanied by various private companies that surprised the provincial top achiever with gifts including cash money and appliances. “I wish to take this opportunity once again to congratulate Willem, the man of the moment and our shining star of the day. Congratulations to you young man for being so great and a role model to the thousands of learners through your achievements. You really make us all proud and please keep the Mpumalanga banner flying even at university,” Majuba said. Majuba indicated that Kurpershoek deserved the recognition as he obtained position number one, out of 53 391 learners who sat for exams in the year 2020. “You registered seven distinctions under your name and made the province proud of you. You have proven to your peers that hard work, commitment and dedication surely pays off immensely,” he said. Kurpershoek received a long list of tokens of appreciation courtesy including R30 000.00 from SASOL, R10 000.00 from Standard Bank, an ACER laptop from Vodacom and MTN, a Television set, a mini refrigerator, a micro oven, a kettle, travel bags, a toaster, a tablet and an electric iron. “To top it all, today we are here to personally deliver a confirmation of his full bursary which will cater for full tuition, accommodation, tutorial material food and a monthly stipend. As if that is not enough, we are also here to officially hand over a brand new sponsored car by CliniPro,” Majuba announced.
The MEC advised the class of 2021 at the school to work hard and follow the footsteps of Kurpershoek. “Surely hard work pays. This is not magic or a miracle but outcomes of true commitment. You too can achieve this, even more, only if you can look at what is happening today and allow it to positively influence you. The reality is that, the Kupershoek siblings grew up around you, drink the same water and breathe the same air like all of you. If it is possible for them, it can be a reality to you too to achieve great results,” he said. Majuba later bestowed a token of appreciation the Executive Mayor of Emakhazeni Local Municipality, Cllr Thomas Diphepheng Ngwenya. The token was conferred at Nkangala District Municipality in the presence of delegates who were attending the IDP Indaba. “We wish to thank the leadership of the eMakhazeni Local Municipality Cllr Thomas Ngwenya, his team, Circuit Manager Ms Motloung, teachers, parents and learners in the municipality who have worked hard and smart to make these results possible. They managed to achieve this against the backdrop of the challenges and devastations inflicted by the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Majuba during the occasion. Majuba said the meaningful achievement was celebrated throughout the whole Nkangala District Municipality. “In essence this means that Nkangala District is home for excellence and an enemy of mediocrity. We are congratulating Emakhazeni Local Municipality for their achievement,” he said.
