DESPITE never-ending challenges most of our schools face in the country, lets take a moment to celebrate the Class of 2023.
Some might ask- what’s there to celebrate when education system is still in limbo, infrastructure is poor and millions still illiterate?
Those are serious concerns that need urgent attention- but until when?
But it is also fair to take a step back and celebrate though, with the likes of Free State province leading the pack.
The work done by the late MEC for Education ntate Tate Makgwe, continues to speak volume.
FS retained its top position nationally, with a pass rate of 89.03%.
He should be smiling in his sleep, that is ntate Makgwe, who and his dedicated team worked miraculously to achieve such incomparable standards in the province.
The minister of Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga announced on Thursday evening that the matric class 2023 achieved a pass rate of 82.9%, she said during breakfast to honour top achievers.
The national matric pass rate is up by 2.8% from the 80.1% pass rate in 2022.
“I stand here with an immense sense of pride as we host our best learners. And for the year, we presented over 800 000 learners and more than 750 000 were full time learners and to be here, I’m sure it’s unbelievable. Indeed, you’re ahead of the pack in so many ways,” went on the minister.
A total of 715 719 full-time and 182 056 part-time candidates registered to sit for the 2023 NSC (National Senior Certificate) examinations.
She was joined by Deputy Minister, Dr Reginah Mhaule, at the MTN head office.
“I want to congratulate you and say thank you for making us very proud. Is it not so parents? You have made us really proud. For that, we’re really grateful to our children,” Motshekga added.
Here are the top-performing matric pupils in the country for a public and independent school, respectively, for 2023.
Top candidates in the entire country:
Public schools: Melissa Muller – Rhenish Girls’ High School, Stellenbosch
Independent schools: Ethan Myers – Herzlia High School, Vredehoek
Top candidate in Quintile 5:
1st place: Melissa Muller – Rhenish Girls’ High School, Stellenbosch
2nd place: Jared Ryan Benn – Wynberg Boys’ High School, Wynberg
Top candidate in Mathematics:
1st place: Melissa Muller – Rhenish Girls’ High School, Stellenbosch
Top candidate in Physical Science:
1st place: Jared Ryan Benn – Wynberg Boys’ High School, Wynberg
Top candidate in South African Sign Language:
2nd place: Amahle Jemane – De La Bat School, Worcester
Top candidate Special Needs Education:
1st place: Samkelo Gumada – Athlone School for the Blind, Bellville
3rd place: Nizibone Victor Mapolisa – Athlone School for the Blind, Bellville
Meanwhile, Bhekumuzi Mnisi from Kwamhlanga in Mpumalanga dedicated his time to ensure he passed very well for the National Senior Certificate examinations in 2023.
The young man spent sleepless nights and sacrificed having a girlfriend to ensure he achieved top marks despite his grandmother dying.
South Africans praised his dedication and hard work and washed him a prosperous future.
- Free State was the best-performing province with an 88.5% pass rate – improving by 2,8% from 2021.
- Gauteng came in second with 84.4% – improving by 1.6% from 2021.
- KwaZulu-Natal was third with 83% – it improved by 6.2% from 2021.
- Western Cape came fourth place 81,4% – the province improved by 0.2%.
- North West was fifth with 79.8% – it improved by 1,6 from 2021.
- Eastern Cape was sixth at 77.3% – an improvement of 4,3% from 2021.
- Mpumalanga achieved seventh place with 76.8% – an improvement of 3,2% from 2021.
- Northern Cape finished second last with 74.2% – it had an improvement of 2,8% from 2021.
- Limpopo finished ninth with 72.1% – it improved by 5,4%.
Image (Pride of MP. Bhekumusi Mnisi and mother Maria Masemola celebrating his hardwork).
