Excited, blessed, proud – the enthusiasm from the country’s top matrics and their teachers is almost tangible.
As Basic Education Minister Motshegka and her deputy, Enver Surty, sat down to have breakfast with the country’s top matric achievers for 2016 yesterday, she was getting ready to announce the numbers.
The announcement, which happened last night, saw a marginal increase in the pass rate to 76.2%, and was met with a mixed response from political leaders.
The breakfast, hosted by Vodacom in Midrand, saw Motshekga congratulating the class of 2016’s 21 top achievers, saying that it was an honour to speak to the “bright sparks” and that it takes an entire community to raise a child.
It is my honor and privilege to speak to these bright sparks. It takes an entire community to raise a child - DBE Minister #NSC2016
— NSFAS (@myNSFAS) January 4, 2017
Official results were released this morning (except for the Western Cape), with a 76.2 % pass rate for the class of 2016.
With more than 800 000 pupils who sat for their final matric exams, the top achievers were celebrated for their effort and determination towards attaining their high marks.
We had more than 800 000 learners sitting for matric. To be where you are you represent the best of the best - Motshekga #NSC2016
— Caiphus Kgosana (@CaiphusK_11) January 4, 2017
Motshegka called the pupils “ambassadors of the education system”, imploring them to continue striving to be the best that they could be.
Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga urges Top Achievers to continue to work hard. "Your journey starts now." #NSC2016
— Dep. Basic Education (@DBE_SA) January 4, 2017
With a jubilant mood permeating throughout the room, proud learners posed with the ministerial committee as they had their pictures snapped whilst proud parents looked on.
The photoshoot with the Minister and the 'bright sparks' . All smiles around. #NSC2016 @DBE_SA pic.twitter.com/qYHegKYEoV
— Educationally United (@Educanited) January 4, 2017
Meet the #NSC2016 Top Achievers #NSC2016 #MatricResults2016 pic.twitter.com/ERQV6MSYnp
— MaKhumalo?? (@EmpressZinhle) January 4, 2017
Seven pupils passed with 10 or more distinctions nationally, including Elana Marais from Hoërskool Waterkloof in Pretoria. Speaking to City Press, she said that she took great pride in her results, after achieving 10 distinctions.
“I was really excited after I got my results and I feel incredibly blessed because lots of people don’t even get one distinction so I am grateful to have done so well,” Marais said.
The top achiever plans to study medicine at Stellenbosch University while still trying to maintain a balance between her studies and social life.
“I think it’s important for anyone to have a balance, you can’t just study all the time. I had a great support system from my friends and family, which helped me to focus my mind more when I studied,” Marais said, who was also on the school’s first team for hockey and was also the school’s head girl.
Speaking on behalf of Hoërskool Waterkloof, Head of English, Ingrid Knoetze said that the school was incredibly proud of its results.
“There have been about 720 distinctions with an average of 2.2 per candidate and our school has been listed as one of the top three in the province,” Knoetze said.
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