Frank Maponya

Frank Maponya

The 20 pupils from Toronto Primary School in Bakenburg, outside Mankweng, who will attend the International School of South Africa, will make Limpopo proud.

Addressing teachers, parents and pupils at the school during the sending off function yesterday, Premier Sello Moloto said he was proud of the pupils.

They had been selected after acquiring scholarships from the Telkom Foundation to study at the Mafikeng-based school. They passed mathematics with excellent grades to earn a place at the prestigious school. Each pupil will be sponsored for R75000 a year.

Toronto Primary has been selected after its excellent achievements in the academic and social fields. The school made headlines recently with its highly-developed greenery project and environmental education. Last year it also scooped top honours at the Premier Service Excellence Awards where it was recognised for its outstanding gardening work which encompasses fruit, herb and vegetable production, livestock production, medicinal plants and a nursery.

Moloto said the school was a shining example and was a trend-setter.

"We wish other schools in the province could emulate what Toronto has been doing," said Moloto.

One of its pupils was recently selected to attend the Oprah Winfrey Girls High School near Johannesburg. Another pupil, Isaiah Ramakgolo, 10, was selected to go to Washington, US, in April on an exchange programme.

Said school principal Dikeledi Ledwaba: "We mostly deal with pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds and are happy that through hard work and dedication from both teachers and pupils, we are able to see good results. This indicates we are moving in the right direction."