Ramaphosa: Make books your friends

That is the advice given by Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa to learners at the Pheelang Primary School in Parys, Free State.

The school achieved a 100 percent pass rate in the 2016 matric exams.

Ramaphosa and Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga is visited the Free State this morning, after the province obtained the higher matric pass rate in the country in 2016.

"It all seems impossible until it is done and you have proven it as a school that you can do it," Ramaphosa told learners.

Ramaphosa also told the girls to remember the seven Bs for a successful career at school.

"Books before boys, because boys bring babies - those are my seven Bs," said Ramaphosa.

Minister Motshekga emphasised that cooperation is the key to success.

"This partnership we have with the private sector as well as the partnership with parents. The learners themselves have also committed themselves to cooperating with the school," says Motshekga.