By Emily Setona
QWAQWA – Educollege High School has emerged as the overall winner of the Executive Mayor’s Budget Speech Competition for secondary schools in the Thabo Mofutsanyana District, cementing its reputation for academic excellence and learner development.
The victory follows weeks of disciplined preparation, with English teacher Rapelang Ntsiea crediting consistency and teamwork for the standout performance.
“We practiced every Tuesday without fail. That consistency is what gave us the edge,” she said.
The five-member team delivered a polished and confident performance at the Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality chambers on 4 May, outperforming competing schools in both content and delivery.
Team representative Lehlohonolo Litabe said the achievement reflected both individual commitment and collective effort.
“We are proud to be number one. Even during the midterm break, we continued preparing on our own. It was a true team effort,” he said.
The winning group included Kananelo Setona and Onalerona Kholoanyane (both Grade 12), Rethabile Ntjabane (Grade 10), Bohlokoa Sekhampunyane (Grade 9), and Litabe, showcasing a blend of senior experience and emerging talent.
In addition to taking top honours in public speaking, Educollege was recognised as the overall winner for participation and speech delivery, highlighting the school’s broader commitment to developing confident, articulate learners.
Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality MMC for Finance Tlokotsi Motaung said the competition plays a critical role in shaping informed and active citizens.
“Local government is where key decisions on service delivery, infrastructure and development are made. These directly affect communities,” he said.
He urged learners to take an interest in municipal budgets, describing them as essential tools for accountability and development.
“Understanding the budget is not just for officials—it is for every citizen,” Motaung said.
Mohato and Rantsane secondary schools were among the participants in what organisers described as a highly competitive contest.
For Educollege, the win signals more than victory—it reflects the impact of mentorship, discipline and sustained effort in building future leaders.
