Inspiring stories of matriculants from the Western Cape's Excellence Awards
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) Excellence Awards have once again brought together top candidates and outstanding schools, in a celebration of academic excellence.
This prestigious event honours the hard work, perseverance, and remarkable achievements of the matric class of 2024, who have not only endured challenges but have excelled beyond expectations.
Among the honorees was Petrus Lombard, from Hoër Tegniese Skool Drostdy.
The 18-year-old was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a genetic disorder characterized by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness.
What makes this young man's story so unique is that not only did he skip Grade 9 but remained in the top 10 of his school since, achieving a bachelor's pass with six distinctions, including mathematics in matric.
Because the illness is progressive, Lombard’s only hope was that he would have the opportunity to write his matric exams himself.
An additional challenge presented itself in his matric year, when he broke his leg.
Despite needing to recover at home, he continued to keep up with the support of his teachers.
His school said he always has a friendly smile, stands out as an inspiring person, and that his hard work has been rewarded.
Lombard, who enrolled for an online course in programming, said he did not envision ever being amongst the province's most outstanding learners.
“This is all because of God, His mercy carried me through and because of Him I got to meet Premier Winde,” he said with a huge smile.
Another learner, Akha Mapekula, from Sizimisele Secondary School, in Khayelitsha spent most of her matric year without a calculator of her own, yet she stood out as the top learner in Technical Mathematics.
Mapekula got her first calculator during her final exams, which was gifted by a teacher.
Mapekula, who plans on becoming an electrical engineer, said she was filled with mixed emotions as her name was called up.
“This one was for my late grandma who never had the chance to go to school, she was inside a school but as a cook, so I am proud to say this is for her, for always pushing me.
“It’s been a year, especially coming from the area I come from, the gunshots, the negative stories that constantly plays itself out in the background, but we made it and hopefully this will inspire the youth in my community too, that no matter what, they can also make it to walk across a provincial stage.”
The province has witnessed significant improvements in educational performance despite various obstacles.
Education MEC David Maynier acknowledged the challenges faced by schools, from budget constraints to infrastructural pressures, yet praised the matriculants for their dedication.
“We are a department more focused than ever on improving learning outcomes, expanding access to education, and driving education reform. The matric class has truly done something special,” he stated.
Maynier highlighted key achievements, including the highest matric pass rate ever, the highest bachelor pass rate in the province’s history, and outstanding performances in mathematics and physical sciences.
Premier Alan Winde celebrated the resilience of learners who navigated challenges such as the pandemic and load shedding. He encouraged them to seize the opportunities of a rapidly evolving world, from artificial intelligence to nanotechnology. “This class today, you have already proved yourself here. Go out there and use these opportunities,” he urged.
The event also highlighted schools that demonstrated remarkable improvements.
Learning institutions like Beacon Hill High , Sinethemba Secondary, and Strand Secondary showed significant progress, while others maintained consistent excellence with over 90% pass rates in mathematics.
Schools in Khayelitsha, traditionally underrepresented in top rankings, emerged with strong performances.
Among the honoured students were those who overcame immense personal challenges.
Onga Mabusela from Thembelihle Secondary School in Khayelitsha, faced financial hardships and lost his home to a fire in 2023, defied all odds to matriculate with a bachelor's pass and seven distinctions.
WCED Head of Department Brent Walters reminded the attendees of the broader purpose behind the event.
“The NSC means so much to all of us. We are united to make sure that we achieve the goal of quality education for every learner, and today you epitomize quality education.”
tracy-lynn.ruiters@inl.co.za