MOTHERWELL-based Vulumzi Secondary School managed to achieve a 98.3% matric pass rate following the 2024 November matric examinations.
Vulumzi Secondary principal, Mzimkhulu Fina, revealed that his school’s Grade 12 pass rate target for the 2024 final examinations was between 90% and 91% after they achieved 86.6% in 2023.
Fina said, “We had 74 bachelor’s passes, 36 diploma passes, and 10 certificate passes in total. We are overjoyed because our pass rate is above our target. Our staff and our learners were altruistic throughout the season. There were no distractions, but everybody knew what our mandate was. Our best Grade 12 results are attributed to diligence, dedication, discipline, and determination. However, the teachers’ dignity is judged by their best results. Furthermore, labour, peace and harmony at our school also played a significant role.”
Departmental head, Noluthando Limba, highlighted that the school was just like a home to their staff and learners, as they spent most of their time there conducting extra lessons after school hours. Limba explained, “Sometimes we conducted our lessons until very late. But our principal always says, ‘no pain, no gain,’ to motivate our staff and our learners. Our staff worked their socks off while our learners put in more effort so that we could achieve our target.”
One of the top learners, Lisakhanya Mketo, who achieved five distinctions in IsiXhosa Home Language, Mathematics, Geography, Life Sciences, and Life Orientation, stated that her achievement was the fruit of hard labour.
Mketo said, “I would like to study Database Sciences, but I have to make a choice about the learning institution. My teachers were there to render assistance to us; hence we managed to achieve 98.3%. We gave our utmost best all the time.”
Hlomla Mangcotywa, who obtained four distinctions in Agriculture, Life Sciences, isiXhosa Home Language, and Life Orientation, thanked his teachers, study mates, and his parents for his excellent results.
Mangcotywa said, “I am very excited about my achievements. I am very proud of my teachers, study mates, and my parents for their support throughout the year.
“Kutlwanong ProMaths Centre at Soqhayisa Secondary has helped us a great deal. My educators dedicated their precious time to the learners. My parents were very supportive as well. I look forward to studying Aeronautical Engineering this year and onwards.”
Hlomla’s mother, Nokuthula Mangcotywa, who was visibly delighted, stated that she and her husband had given their son enough time to concentrate on his studies.
Mangcotywa said, “Parents must support their children to study seriously on a daily basis. The home environment must be conducive for the learner to study without any distractions.
“I would like to give hope to those learners who could not make it. It is not the end of the world, but there is always room for improvement. I say hats off to those who managed to pass their examinations. I am very proud of my son’s excellent results.”
