Message for 2025 matrics from predecessors

As most pupils return to school on Wednesday, some will begin their matric journey with dreams of being counted among the province’s top achievers.

Buthulezi, from Zimisele Secondary School in Kwa-Thema, was announced as the province’s top-performing pupil at the official announcement by Education MEC Matome Chiloane in Midrand on Tuesday.

He is the first pupil from a township school to achieve the coveted award.

The class of 2024 was just beginning their high school career when the COVID-19 pandemic gripped the world, forcing government to announce lockdowns that saw pupils learning remotely for nearly two years.

The group was also affected by growing concerns over the sale of contaminated food, foodborne ailments, and deaths that mostly affected children.

Chiloane congratulated the group for persevering and achieving the province’s best matric pass rate since 1995.

Asked what his message for the incoming group of matriculants was, Buthelezi said: “It’s possible despite your background. Your background doesn’t define your future. I will not die in my situation, because I didn’t choose it for myself, but I can change it to make a better for myself and my family.”

READ MORE:Praise for Gauteng’s top matric Musawenkosi Buthelezi

Buthelezi says his biggest challenge when preparing for his final exams, besides the difficult financial situation at home, was the health issue that caused him constant headaches.

“I wouldn’t say it was understanding the content, but it was having to study with migraines. There were times I would pray to be like a normal child and study without a headache.”

KEEP PUSHING …

Hlaisane Khoza from the Soshanguve East School in Tshwane also encouraged the matrics of 2025 at her school to invest their time and energy into achieving the matric results they want.

Khoza, who was introduced as the school’s top achiever when the Minister of Basic Education visited them on the first day of exams, achieved level 7 for four of her subjects and level 6 for the remaining subjects.

The school attained a 94% pass rate for the National Senior Certificate exams.

“Keep pushing, keep doing your best. If we were able to reach 94.5%, they could achieve 100% because it takes hard work and determination. Our teachers are always there for them, and they should call them when they need help. They shouldn’t play around, and they should put in their blood, sweat, and tears, and do their very best.”

Meanwhile, Gauteng’s top achiever, Buthelezi, said the one thing he would change about how he went about his matric year is not asking for help from those who invited him to do so.

“There were people who told me if I needed anything, I could come to them but at some point, I didn’t do that.”

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