Newsroom

By Communications Team

The Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (LDARD) MEC, Ms Nakedi Grace Kekana’s first visit to schools for the provincial back to school programme  kicked-off at Merensky Agricultural Academy in Tzaneen, Mopani District followed by Nare Secondary School at Moletjie, Ga-Semenya and lastly, Harry Oppenheimer Agricultural School, at Luxemburg, outside Polokwane in Capricorn District on 14 and 15 January 2026, respectively.

On day two of the Back-to-School Crusade, MEC Kekana arrived at Nare Secondary School accompanied by the Executive Mayor of Capricorn District Cllr Mamedupi Teffo, Capricorn District Department of Agriculture and Rural Development District Director Ms Ephenia Kekana, Capricorn District Department of Education District Director Mr Director Mothemane, and other government officials. The MEC will later proceed to Harry Oppenheimer Agricultural School to further our mission of making Agriculture the heartbeat of our provincial economy.

This crusade formed part of the Limpopo Provincial government’s Back-to-School programme where the Executive Council Members together with their political counterparts at both local and district municipalities of the province are deployed to various schools to address and motivate learners on their day one at school.  

MEC Kekana as promoting agriculture as the subject of choice, used the programme as a platform to put learners at the centre of agricultural development.  She encouraged learners to make education fashionable with specific emphasis on agriculture, citing that it contributes hugely into the economic growth of the province. She further congratulated the schools for their academic achievements of the class of 2025.

Nare Secondary has established itself as a premier institution for agricultural education, achieving an astounding 99.1% pass rate in Agriculture. On the other hand, Harry Oppenheimer Agricultural High School remains a beacon of excellence in agricultural education, with the school's academic performance continuing to improve. The matric pass rate rose from 78.3% to an impressive 85.8%. Out of 106 matriculants, more than 50% achieved Bachelor passes, 20% obtained Diploma passes, and 30% attained Higher Certificate passes.

The MEC extended her gratitude to the educators and the School Governing Body (SGB). She further urged the municipalities to continue to give support and continue to deliver services to the schools.

Nare Secondary School got support in a form of a water tank and supporting irrigation drips with the aim to enhance practical experience to learners in their line of agricultural study. As part of ongoing support, Harry Oppenheimer received trees, seeds, and infrastructure support in a form of an animal handling facility from LDARD and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, respectively.

The schools will further receive technical assistance and production inputs through extension services from the department to strengthen learning and practical exposure.

Reaffirming the importance of collaboration, the MEC said, “We must work together to ensure that agriculture is fashionable for learners and further provide them with the skills that align them with economic development needs that address poverty, unemployment, and inequality, while encouraging production for commercialisation.”

These visits by LDARD are designed to ensure that Agriculture remains a premier subject of choice, empowering learners with the hands-on skills needed to drive food security and provincial economic growth.

The MEC together with her LDARD Team wrapped up the day on a visit to extend greetings and pay respect to Kgoshigadi Matlala in Ga Matlala, were Harry Oppenheimer Agricultural School is situated.

​#LetsGrowLimpopoTogether #LeaveNoOneBehind #LimpopoBackToSchool #EducationIsTheKey