LIMPOPO – Botsikana Secondary School in Ga-Mashashane hosted the fifth edition of the Maune Circuit Excellence Awards on April 17, celebrating achievements across schools in the 2025 academic year.

The event recognised excellence in academics, sport and other activities among primary and secondary schools. Categories included key subjects such as accounting, mathematics and physical sciences, as well as awards for teachers, subjects achieving distinctions, and those recording 80% or higher in the National Senior Certificate (NSC). Additional awards covered school performance, extra-mural and co-curricular activities, and the circuit manager’s special awards.

Education celebrated as key to community progress

Delivering a motivational address, Maune circuit manager Dr Johannes Motona said the ceremony was about more than individual success.

“South Africa rises or falls in classrooms. On behalf of the department, the parents and every learner you have helped, thank you,” he said, adding that the event celebrated teamwork and a shared commitment to excellence.

Cultural performance highlights local heritage

The ceremony also featured a cultural performance by 10-year-old Napo Primary School learner Amogelang Chuma, who recited a poem, ‘gaShashi, Mmagwe Mosenya’ in honour of Kgoshi Magadangele II, the Mashashane area and the Maune name, which holds significance in the history of the MaNdebele, also known as the Ledwaba Mashashane tribe.

Kgoshi Magadangele II attended the event.

Strong matric results recorded in Maune circuit

Maune Circuit recorded a 94% overall matric pass rate for 2025, outperforming the national average of 88%, the provincial rate of 86.15% and the Capricorn north district’s 87.9%. Of the results, 47.5% were bachelor passes, while 77.3% combined bachelor and diploma passes.

Top-performing schools and learners recognised

Dr Moses Josiah Madiba Secondary School achieved first place, improving from 77.4% in 2024 to a 100% pass rate in 2025.

Tlakale Mashashane was placed second with a 98.2% pass rate and the highest number of bachelor passes at 101 learners (61.1%).

Mmatshipi secured third place with a 98.0% pass rate.

Community leaders emphasise role of education

Ward 40 councillor Vivian Shadung spoke of the role of education in combatting poverty, quoting Nelson Mandela: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”.

Mashashane Tribal Authority representative Mohlaleng Manyashi highlighted the importance of education in community development and reaffirmed the authority’s willingness to support social and economic initiatives.

Awards recognise excellence across multiple categories

Winners across categories received trophies, certificates and medals, with Old Mutual and Toshiba serving as main sponsors.

Motona said he hopes to expand the awards in future and attract more sponsors to provide incentives such as laptops for top-performing schools, teachers and learners.

Key individual and school highlights

• Peter Sekhaolelo, teacher at Mashianoke Primary School. He was recognised for his great work and dedication to school sport. He also manages a softball team in Monotwane village. Former and current players from the team still play for university, provincial and national teams.

• Mashianoke Primary School: Ended second in the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) at provincial level.

• Napo Primary School: Won the Schools Entrepreneurship Initiatives at district level.

• Edwin Rammutla, principal of Tlakale Mashashane Secondary School. He was recognised for strong leadership and for helping many learners pass and obtain bachelor passes in the 2025 National Senior Certificate Exam.

• Dr Johannah Rapetsoa, principal of Dr MJ Madiba Secondary School. She was recognised for the 100% pass rate and big improvement in bachelor passes in the 2025 National Senior Certificate Exams.