Top matriculants who made KZN proud

INDIAN matriculants in KwaZulu-Natal have yet again outdone themselves, with seven making the Top 10. They were Hannah Parak, Timera Naidoo, Shenise Singh, Kaamil-Inaam Naicker, Zakkiyya Hoosen, Kiara Pillay and Diyajal Ramraj.

The announcement was made at the ICC in Durban on Friday where they, and other academic achievers in the province, were praised for their drive to succeed by the KZN Department of Education.

Among the guests was King Goodwill Zwelithini.

The MEC of education, Mthandeni Dlungwana, said all 12 districts in the province had improved upon last year’s results and while Ilembe was the most improved district, up by 12.49% (now 64.91%), Umgungundlovu was the highest performing at 81.51% up by 5.13%.

A total of 109 schools attained a 100% pass and schools that had a 0% pass rate were reduced from seven to three.

Bachelor passes were attained by 35 687 pupils.

KZN attained a pass rate of 72.8% – an improvement of 6.4% from 2016’s pass rate of 66.4%, while the national pass rate was 75.1%, up by 2.6%.

Dlungwana said the outgoing matriculants had set a high standard.

“This batch did not allow anything to take their eyes away from the goal. I am positive. If future matriculants carry the same mindset, we will be able to make this department the best department in the country.”

Premier Willies Mchunu praised teachers for their hard work and efforts throughout the years.

“Our teachers guide these pupils and help them when they are struggling. There are many challenges like the alarming number of high school dropouts, substance abuse, violence in schools and teenage pregnancy to name a few, but even with all these challenges our teachers still tried their best to educate and support their pupils to do their best and produce excellent results.

“This year marks a special occasion. It would have been 100 years for the country’s first president, Nelson Mandela, and education was one of his biggest priorities. He believed education is necessary for the growth of the country and in his own words, when armed with education, the world becomes your oyster, so go out there and use this weapon to change the world.”

South African Democratic Teachers’ Union provincial secretary, Nomarashiya Caluza, said they were excited by the provincial increase.

“We are excited and happy. We expected an increase but such a high increase is amazing. Our teachers have worked and some under difficult situations.”

She added: “Our teachers work in overcrowded classrooms and even during their weekends and holidays without compensation.

“So, to see an increase, it shows all their hard work and efforts have paid off.”

The top performing matriculant was Joanna Smith of Danville Park Girls’ High.

The others, who made the top 10, were: Hendrik le Roux of Maritzburg College and Mandisa Xaba of Sakhelwe High School.

The POST team attended an awards ceremony at the ICC on Friday, where the Department of Education in KZN announced the Top 10 matric achievers of 2017. We highlight some of the country’s outstanding performances and the successes of those who persevered and are looking forward to university. The National Senior Certificate (NSC) results were released on Friday. The overall national pass rate was 75.1%, with KZN attaining 72.8%.