By OBAKENG MAJE 

17 October 2024- A Grade 7 learner, Tshegofatso Mosiatlhaga (12) from Voorspoed Primary School in Hartswater, who received a top achiever award, said she is incredulous. On Friday, the school held its annual award ceremony to honour their best learners. 

“I am very grateful and honoured to receive this award. It is awesome to see that hard work pays off. I am very proud of myself, my parents and teachers who always give me advice to study hard. 

“So, I would like to advise others to also study, work very hard and be consistent,” she said.

Tshegofatso’s mother, Gaopalelwe Mosiatlhaga was also over the moon. She said she always encourages her daughter to study harder. In most cases, she listens even though sometimes she becomes very playful. 

“Also, the gifts that I buy for her contribute immensely towards her achievements. Normally, I will buy her educational gifts and that has assisted her a lot to understand her school work. 

“Gifts like chess and scrabble, just to name a few, play a pivotal role in the understanding of a learner. Last year, Tshegofatso was in a spelling competition because of scrabble,” she said.

Gaopalelwe further said it is not easy to raise a child, especially a teenager because there is a lot that is happening. She added as parents, they come across new challenges almost every day, but with the grace of God, she manages. 

The school principal, Mark Anthony Digopo said he uses an open door policy to enable teachers to teach at their best and learners to learn to their utmost.

“It is imperative that we have these kinds of awards. This year, they were wonderful because most of our learners, especially into intermediate and senior phases, have received more awards. 

“Yesterday, we had the foundation phase and most of the learners received their certificates. The fundamental reason why we are awarding these learners, is to ensure that they are enthused,” he said. 

Digopo said awards of this nature, vouch to the intrinsic motivation and propel learners to work harder. 

“Our pass rate is pleasant even though we believe there is ‘room for improvement’. In essence, there is a ‘glimmer of hope’ that we might reach a 90% pass rate,” said Digopo. 

Meanwhile, the School Governing Body (SGB) chairperson, Katlego Shakwane shared the same sentiments. Shakwane said they are proud of these learners’ achievements and the accolades they received.  

“This awards are based on their hard work and dedication. More than anything, hard work without principle gets distorted along the way. So, big up to the deserving learners,” he said. 

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