The Free State Department of Education recently celebrated the province’s top academic achievers at a prestigious awards function in Bloemfontein, where exceptional learners were honoured for their outstanding matric results.
Jaco Deysel of the Jim Fouché High School in Bloemfontein achieved distinctions in all his subjects, which include Afrikaans (Home Language), English (Home Language), Life Orientation, Mathematics, Economics, Physical Sciences, Accounting, Information Technology, and Mathematics (IEB). “Thank goodness, what a huge relief. I can only thank God for this,” was Jaco’s first reaction when he received his matric results.
He says his biggest challenge during his matric year was the amount of extra work he had to put in during his own time for English on home language level, as this is not a subject offered at his school.
“Being the number one matriculant in the Free State makes me feel very emotional. In Gr.10, I considered moving to homeschooling due to bullying and did not enjoy going to school anymore. It really took a lot out of me to overcome this and to continue staying in school.”
He is looking forward to a bright future and will be studying Actuarial Sciences at the University of Cape Town (UCT).
During his matric year, he really took Jim Fouché’s motto “Saai om te oes” to heart.
“In matric, this motto just really sank in. If you sow, you will reap. My teachers reminded me when my marks dropped in a test that you cannot reap if you did not sow enough – there is only one chance, and you must make the best of it. My achievements would not have been possible without my teachers and my parents.”
His advice to matrics is: “Keep calm, be fearless and take chances. Try the things that you want to try; you will never know if it could have worked out for you.”
Bokang from Bluegumbosch Secondary School in Phuthaditjhaba, Qwaqwa, is the best overall achiever in Mathematics and Physical Sciences. He obtained first position nationally among the three top learners in quintile 3 schools for exceptional results in Mathematics, and achieved eight distinctions. During 2025, Bokang went to school early to assist his fellow classmates before classes, and they continued their study sessions in the afternoon.
“When I read the results for my matric exam, the first thing that came to my mind was that I made it. My efforts really paid off.”
What makes Bokang’s story more inspiring is how he transformed his biggest challenge into a victory. Tourism, the subject that gave him the most difficulty, became one of his best-performing subjects. His solution? Going the extra mile – literally by attending tourism lessons at a school different from his, as he understood the teacher much better.
Bokang has secured a place at the University of Pretoria (UP) to study Actuarial Sciences, with clear goals in mind.
“I want to become a successful businessman through actuarial science skills. I’m going to use them to enhance my businesses,” he shared.
His Mathematics teacher in Gr.10, Ernest Thabo Mowai, made a lasting and profound impact, despite only teaching him for half a year.
Emotional support was only part of the equation. Bokang also built his confidence through hard work and practice in reducing exam anxiety.
When asked what advice he would give his younger self, he commented, “to never have excuses for any failure because failure does not have to be justified”.
Bonolo Maloleka of the Selelekela Senior Secondary School, a bright young woman from Qwaqwa in the Eastern Free State, looks back on her matric year and the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations with hard-earned wisdom.
“Start working from day one, as it gets more difficult than you would think. If you start in the middle, it can be hard to adjust.”
Bonolo achieved distinctions in all her subjects: English (first additional language), Sotho (home language), Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, Geography and Life Orientation.
Bonolo felt proud of achieving the marks that she did, and extremely happy that all the hard work had paid off.
The subjects that posed the greatest challenge to her were Life Sciences and Physical Sciences.
In working towards acing these two subjects, Bonolo found that watching YouTube videos on these subjects was a great help.
Further illustrating her capacity to conquer any difficulty, Bonolo is going to study Actuarial Science at the University of Cape Town (UCT).
This sets the stage for making the next chapter in her life an exceptionally exciting one, having to make the move across country from Qwaqwa to Cape Town.
Bonolo turned to her support network of family and friends to not only guide her on her journey, but also to help her discover destress programmes and keep her balance amidst it all.
Also, realising the value of exercise to unwind, she took part in sporting activities offered at her school. This was not to achieve as part of a team, but for the benefit it generally holds.
Acknowledging that success is not achieved on one’s own, Bonolo mentions receiving stellar support not only from her family’s side, but also in great part from her teachers at school and the principal.
Janeli Saaiman of the Jim Fouché High School in Bloemfontein achieved distinctions in all her subjects, namely Afrikaans (home language), English (first additional language), Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Accounting, Life Sciences, and Life Orientation. She was very relieved when she received her marks and realised that she had achieved what she worked so hard for.
“It was a wonderful feeling when I realised that I had achieved what I wanted to with my results.”
A challenge for her in matric was keeping a good balance between her main focus, which was her academics, her sports and also her social life.
Janeli believes that the endless walks with her family and their dogs also helped her stay calm when things got stressful throughout her matric year, especially in exams.
“My biggest support throughout my matric year was definitely my parents and my sister.
“They know how to keep me calm, and they were always there to support me.
“Since we live on a farm near Petrusburg, my friends in the hostel also played a big role in my support system. I am thankful to them for also leaving me alone at times, so I could really focus on my work.
“Lastly, I am very thankful to my teachers who were always willing to assist and answer all my questions, and help me understand the work they taught me.”
With all her achievements now in line with her dreams, she will be able to study to become a doctor at the University of the Free State (UFS).
Joan-Marie Fourie, a 2025 matric learner of Eunice High School, attained a distinction for each of her eight subjects. She excelled in Life Orientation, English (home language), Afrikaans (first additional language), Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, Accounting, and German (second additional language).
Upon her finding out what her results were, Joan-Marie breathed a relieved “Thank you!” She admits that she was quite stressed over Mathematics, Physics, and Accounting. Mathematics was the most challenging during the exam period, and it overwhelmed her quite a bit.
With her closing the chapter on her high school career, Joan-Marie is ready to start on her next adventure.
“I’m studying medicine at the University of the Free State this year, and I’m looking forward to taking on a new challenge. High school has been a challenge on its own, but I think university is going to be something totally different – something fresh.”
When pressed to say why she decided on studying medicine, Joan-Marie answers earnestly.
“Medicine is always evolving, so there’s always something new to learn. It sounds weird to say it like that, but it feels like a calling. Being able to go do it is such a blessing.”
With her matric year still fresh in her mind, how did Joan-Marie deal with the associated pressure?
“I’m very close with my mum, so I often vented to her. I also remembered that I’m only competing with myself, not with anyone else. My parents, peers, and friends all contributed significantly to my being able to mentally continue and get over a bad paper or tough exam series. I was also fortunate to have relatable teachers. Every time I might not have done as well as I wanted to, they were still supportive.”
Now reaping the rewards of her hard work, Joan-Marie reflects on advice she would offer her younger self. “There’s a stereotype that, as one of the higher-achieving learners, you don’t need help. However, if you are struggling, you need to be able to ask for help. Be okay with making mistakes – that’s how you learn.”
Top achiever Denise Cilliers achieved distinctions in all of her subjects: Mathematics, Afrikaans (Home Language), English (Home Language), Life Orientation, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Music, and German (Second Additional Language). Having faced and overcome the challenges encountered by matrics during their final school year, Denise hopes to inspire others as she has been.
This prospective doctor has not only taken the direction of studying medicine out of her own interest, but is especially drawn to being a doctor by the real-world example embodied by her parents, who both stand in the medical profession.
In fact, what she looks forward to most while pursuing her studies is being able to immerse herself fully in the experiences and conversations around this calling, which her parents have embraced. Denise has been accepted to study medicine at the University of the Free State (UFS).
Denise’s family was also core to her support network during her preparation for and writing of the examinations. She found that sitting around the table and having supper with them every evening allowed her to voice challenges and concerns, and to get support through discussing these. She also found balance and relaxation in turning to her love for music, specifically in playing the cello, and often going for a run.
As far as her most challenging subject was concerned, valuable support and assistance came from her boyfriend. He also studies medicine and was one of the biggest supporters of her in preparing for Physical Sciences.
If Denise could go back to the first day of Gr.12 and give herself one piece of advice, it would be to cultivate resiliency. In learning that she could not get it all perfect and that there would be disappointments, she discovered the value of this character trait. All this led up to Denise’s journey as an achieving Gr.12, culminating in the instant when she received her results.
“I felt free,” she says as she describes this moment, “and I had a feeling of peace. I was proud of my achievement, as I really worked hard. Ultimately, I felt peace.”
Ntando Sesona Zondani is from the Teto High School in Welkom. During his matric year, he had Xhosa (home language), English (first additional language), Life Orientation, Life Sciences, Accounting, Physical Sciences, and Mathematics as subjects – attaining six distinctions.
“The first thought that came to my mind was disappointment. I had achieved six distinctions, whereas I had hoped for seven. What was most disappointing is that the distinction that I did not get is one of my favourite subjects: IsiXhosa.”
With results like these, it is difficult to imagine Ntando having to overcome any academic hurdles during his schooling career.
“The subject that I found most challenging was Life Sciences because I had a problem with the way that I answered. To overcome this, we learners sat down with our teacher, and he taught us how to answer questions. He also told me to add more detail to my work to ensure that I get better marks on the questions that are most difficult for most learners.”
With plans of studying at the tertiary level, Ntando opens up about his anticipation for this next phase.
“I am most excited about doing Actuarial Sciences. I like challenges, so I decided on this field mainly for the mathematical challenge and to explore just how far my mind can go.”
With all the demands that come with not just passing matric but also excelling therein, Ntando made sure to put the time aside to gather himself.
“What I did to distress in matric is surround myself with a very strong and firm support structure. I was always with my friends, I had everybody supporting me from my teachers, my family – even myself – and my competition, obviously.”
With distinctions in Sotho, English (First Additional Language), Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Geography, Life Sciences and Life Orientation, Nyakallo Hlakoane of the Teto High School in Welkom is ready to brave whatever life after secondary schooling has to offer him.
“I was relieved because I thought I had done poorly, considering the way I wrote during the final exams. Then again, I anticipated my marks to be much higher, but I am still happy with what I have.”
Despite doing so well, Nyakallo admits that not everything leading up to the final examination came easily. “The most challenging subject for me was Life Sciences, because I had trouble with reasoning and all the explaining. Coming to the final examinations, my teacher sat me down, and then we talked about how to reason, how to explain, especially the tough questions that usually take learners away from distinctions.
“Talking with my teachers and working through past papers really helped me a lot.”
Now that high school is a thing of the past, what does the future look like for Nyakallo?
“I’m most excited about doing Computer Science and further falling into a career of being a data analyst, because I’m quite good at analysing and working with data.”
Even as a top learner, Nyakallo was not immune to the pressure associated with the preparation leading to the Gr.12 final examination. Fortunately, he had his own method of meeting and overcoming this challenge.
“I think family is important. The support that I got from my family was very good for me, and it helped me to just destress.
“Well, the entire school environment also played a very good role in shaping me to be the person that I am today. The support, the teaching skills, the manners that I got from them, they really shaped me into getting the high marks that I got.”
When Reinard van der Hoven of the Hoërskool Parys opened his matric results, he was looking at the gateway to his future. With an exceptional eight distinctions under his belt, this dedicated student has proven that consistent hard work and a clear vision can lead to remarkable academic success. Reinard’s impressive achievement spans a diverse range of subjects, earning eight distinctions in:
Afrikaans (Home Language), English (First Additional Language), Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Accounting, Computer Applications Technology, Life Sciences, and Life Orientation.
Adding to his academic credentials, Reinard also secured a distinction in Additional Mathematics, demonstrating his exceptional mathematical abilities.
He is overall fourth in the Free State, number one in Accounting, and third in Mathematics and Physical Sciences. Behind these outstanding results lies a study philosophy that Reinard calls the “ABC Method” – Apply Bum to Chair. This straightforward approach emphasises the fundamental principle that there is no substitute for dedicated study time.
His career path crystallised during a pivotal experience in Gr.10, when he had the opportunity to shadow veterinarians at the Parys Animal Hospital. This hands-on exposure to the profession proved to be life-changing.
“Then I realised that this is what I want to do,” he recalls. “The vets working there were a big inspiration to me.”
As a Free State tennis player, Reinard demonstrates that academic excellence and sporting achievement can go hand in hand. His involvement in tennis has taught him valuable lessons about discipline, time management, and perseverance – qualities that have undoubtedly contributed to his academic success.
With his results meeting the demanding requirements for veterinary science, Reinard is eager to begin the next chapter of his academic journey.
For most matrics, six distinctions out of seven subjects would be the achievement of a lifetime. For Tumane Mokoena of the Beacon Secondary School in Qwaqwa, it was the result of a year-long journey of staying ahead, seeking help when needed, and never giving up.
Tumane’s 2025 matric results demonstrate exceptional commitment to academic success. He has distinctions in Accounting, Sotho, Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Life Orientation, and Life Sciences, missing only English (First Additional Language).
“You know, when you see there’s only one subject without a distinction, you wonder if you should go for a re-mark,” Tumani reflects. “But I decided not to re-mark my paper. I was satisfied with what I had achieved.”
Success, however, did not come without obstacles.
“The one that was challenging was Sesotho,” Tumane admits.
Rather than letting this defeat him, he took proactive steps.
“I consulted my teachers and asked for help, with one-on-one sessions,” he explains.
While Sotho challenged him, Mathematics emerged as Tumane’s favourite subject, a passion shaping his future academic plans.
His love for numbers and analytical thinking has led him to pursue Actuarial Sciences at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits).
Thumane’s study methodology sets him apart. “For me to be able to work without having so much pressure, I always make sure that I am ahead of the teacher,” he reveals. “When a new topic is being started in class, I already know it, and I don’t have to worry about it. If I didn’t understand something, I asked the teacher.”
Behind every successful student lies a strong support network. Thumane acknowledges the crucial role of his teachers, family, and peers. “They supported me very much. I have no words to thank them,” he says with gratitude.
