The grade 12 class of 2024 have left an incredible mark with their achievement of 87.3%, making it the highest pass rate ever in the country.
Minister of basic education Siviwe Gwarube said the results are an indication of great partnerships between the educational sector and the different stakeholders. She has called on the learners to work towards making the country better.
“South Africa needs you and as we continue to navigate the complexities of the modern world, we require leaders who are innovators, thinkers, those who will take us forward, but we also require ethical leaders.
“So I would like to ask you as you take your new chapter in your life to be an ethical leader, an example to the many who will be looking up to you,” she said.
Gwarube said while good progress has been made in expanding education access, the country must turn its attention to improving the quality of the education learners receive.
“Learners must leave our schools with an education and a qualification that allows them to pursue higher education opportunities or enter the job market in order to live lives of dignity.
Minister Siviwe Gwarube
“When we assess the quality that our schooling system is able to deliver, we must consider various indicators of quality beyond those offered by matric results,” she said.
Hard work pays off
The agricultural learners and schools did fairly well. Kwakhanya Mbeyana from Kingswood College in Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown) said the examinations went well even though it was hectic.
“I ended up with five As. It was tricky because I struggled during the final exams. It was hard to hit the ground running, especially on the back of preliminary examinations. It was very stressful but I managed, the process was not easy.
“I had to focus on just my academics and had to find a balance between staying in touch with my friends and also doing my best,” she said.
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Mbeyana said she has applied to study at the Universities of the Free State and North West respectively, where she intends to pursue agronomy and agricultural economics.
“Ultimately I want to be a farm manager because I think my personality lands itself well with being a manager because I have people skills. I think running a farm will do well for me, I also like to work on projects,” she said.
Anandi Smit from Augsburg Landbougimnasium in Clanwilliam, Western Cape, said the examinations went well and they were not as bad as all the previous candidates stated they would be.
“As a female enthusiast, I will be working in 2025 to build a strong foundation for my future. The plan is to do something agriculture-related whether it is admin work on a farm or managing a farm,” she said.
Outstanding achievement
Learners from Manyaku Secondary School in Limpopo said dedication and hard work were the order of the day in grade 12.
Tshidiso Madihlaba from the school said the examinations were a bit tricky but through practising he managed to do well.
“I want to venture into teaching. I believe my contribution to the education sector will help to improve the lives of many young people,” he said.
Another pupil, Dominic Phathage, said his message to the class of 2025 was that they should focus from day one and give their all.
“Through hard work, I believe that the coming pupils will get it right. I am planning to go to the University of Limpopo, I know the journey will not be an easy one.”
Neo Mphela said while the examinations were a bit tricky, she managed to come up with a plan on how to navigate the journey.
Meanwhile, the deputy principal and agriculture teacher, Issac Khumalo, said he is thrilled to announce that Manyaku Secondary School has achieved a remarkable 91.25% pass rate.
“This outstanding result is a testament to the tireless efforts and perseverance of our learners who worked diligently throughout the year to achieve academic excellence.
“This achievement would not have been possible without the leadership and vision of our principal, and I thank them for their unwavering commitment to our school’s success,” he said.
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