Top Achievers 2024
Gauteng schools achieved a pass rate of 88.4% and our local schools matric learners of 2024 produced excellent results
From classroom to campus: preparing for your first year at university
Dr Linda Meyer, Managing Director of The Independent Institute of Education’s Rosebank College and Oxbridge Academy, encourages students to embrace the opportunities and responsibilities of university life.
The first year of university represents a monumental milestone for South African school leavers. It is a time filled with excitement and uncertainty, where new beginnings are marked by challenges that often feel daunting.
Unfortunately, high first-year dropout rates at universities across the country tell a sobering story: many students are unprepared for the profound personal and academic shifts that come with stepping into this new phase of life.
Dr Linda Meyer, Managing Director of The Independent Institute of Education’s Rosebank College and Oxbridge Academy, flagship divisions of ADvTECH, offers essential insights to help matriculants transition smoothly from school to campus life.
With over two decades of experience in higher education leadership, she emphasises that the key to a successful university journey lies in preparation, adaptability, and engagement.
“Transitioning from high school to university is a life-altering experience,” Dr Meyer explains. “It is equal parts thrilling and intimidating as students step into a new world of independence, increased academic demands, and personal growth. It’s not just a change of where you learn; it’s the start of a transformative chapter in your life.”
Acknowledging the gravity of this transition is crucial. Dr Meyer advises that the first few weeks are a time to adjust. Still, students must also lay a solid foundation for success by cultivating one of the most critical skills for higher education: time management.
“University requires a level of self-discipline and accountability far beyond what is needed in high school. Unlike schools, many universities do not enforce strict attendance policies. It can be tempting to skip classes, but attending lectures regularly is non-negotiable for academic success,” Dr Meyer says.
She encourages first-year students to create detailed schedules from the outset, incorporating classes, study sessions, assignment deadlines, and social activities.
This structured approach, she notes, not only keeps students on track but also enhances their ability to fully enjoy campus life without feeling overwhelmed.
The university is not just about academics. It is an opportunity to grow holistically, and the best higher education institutions offer a vibrant array of opportunities to enrich student life. Dr Meyer urges first-years to take advantage of these resources.
“Join clubs, societies, and professional networks. Whether it’s a sports team, cultural group, or academic club, these experiences will complement your studies and help you build meaningful relationships. Some people you meet may become lifelong friends, professional collaborators, or mentors who shape your journey.”
She adds that building a support network early is vital.
“Making new friends takes time, so be proactive. Attend orientation events, join study groups, and participate in campus activities. Surrounding yourself with peers who share your goals and interests can make all the difference in navigating the highs and lows of university life.”
One of the first tasks for incoming students should be to explore their institution’s resources. Libraries, tutoring centres, counselling services, and career guidance offices are invaluable support systems designed to help students succeed.
“The workload may feel overwhelming at first,” Dr Meyer acknowledges. “But don’t wait until it’s too late to seek help. Asking for academic or personal assistance is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Familiarise yourself with available resources early, so you know exactly where to turn when you need support.”
Adapting to university life also involves mastering new systems and tools. Students must become adept at using technology, including learning management systems, online libraries, and communication platforms.
“Spend time on the student portal to understand how it works and ensure you have the necessary tech equipment,” Dr Meyer advises. “You’ll rely heavily on devices and software for coursework, communication, and research. Familiarity with these tools is essential to keep up with academic demands.”
Finally, Dr Meyer emphasises the importance of maintaining a balanced lifestyle. The freedom of university can lead to poor habits if students are not intentional about their routines.
“Develop healthy habits from the start. Create a manageable balance between academics, personal time, and social activities. Challenges and opportunities will come your way, and a healthy foundation will ensure you can navigate them effectively.”
She encourages students to remain open-minded and fully embrace the transformative power of higher education.
“University is a time to explore, grow, and prepare yourself to make meaningful contributions to your community and the world. Approach it with curiosity and determination, and you’ll leave with a qualification and as a well-rounded individual ready to take on life’s challenges.
“By embracing the opportunities and responsibilities of university life, students can set themselves on a path toward academic achievement, personal growth, and future success.”
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Alternatives to matric: different, proven paths to fulfilling careers
In South Africa, a Matric certificate is still considered the gold standard for educational achievement and the ticket to further study.
However, it is important to recognise that this path may not be the best fit for everyone, and understand that there are indeed alternative routes to career success.
“For many students, the rigours and constraints of the senior high journey and Matric can be prohibitively daunting, and the pressure to perform can be overwhelming.
“However, this does not mean that these individuals are devoid of potential or that they lack the skills and dedication required to succeed in their chosen careers,” says Siyavuya Makubalo, marketing manager at Oxbridge Academy.
“This leaves these students and their parents in despair, particularly if they are not aware of the options available to them outside of Matric completion,” she said.
The reality however, is that South Africa offers a robust alternative to the Matric route through SAQA-registered Occupational Certificates.
These qualifications, registered with the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and quality assured by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) are designed to equip students with work-relevant skills that are highly valued by employers.
Unlike the Matric certificate, which focuses mainly on theoretical knowledge, work-related Occupational Certificates emphasise practical skills and hands-on experience, making students job-ready from the outset.
“One of the most significant advantages of Occupational Certificates is their accessibility,” said Makubalo.
“Students can earn these qualifications without needing a Matric certificate, opening up educational and career opportunities to a broader segment of the population.
“These certificates are structured to accommodate different National Qualifications Framework (NQF) levels, ensuring that students can find a qualification that aligns with their educational background and career aspirations.”
Further good news is that occupational certificates are available across a diverse range of career fields, which means that most aspiring students will be able to find a good fit for their personal vision.
A few occupational certificates to consider include:
- Occupational Certificate: Home Based Personal Care Worker (SAQA ID 104792)
- Occupational Certificate: Health Promotion Officer (SAQA ID 94597)
- Occupational Certificate: Cash Office Clerk (SAQA ID 101863)
- Occupational Certificate: Patrol Officer (SAQA ID 110867)
- Occupational Certificate: Security Officer (SAQA ID 110866)
- Occupational Certificate: First Line Security Manager (SAQA 118687)
- Occupational Certificate: Occupational Health and Safety Practitioner (SAQA ID 99714)
This qualification enables students to provide personal care to clients in home-based settings, assist with daily living activities, and maintain a safe and healthy environment for clients. It also focuses on effective communication with clients and their families to ensure holistic care.
This qualification prepares students to promote health and wellness in communities, develop and implement health promotion programmes, and conduct health education and awareness campaigns. It also involves collaborating with healthcare professionals and community organisations to achieve health promotion goals.
This qualification trains students to manage cash transactions, maintain accurate financial records, process sales and refunds, and ensure compliance with financial policies and procedures. It also includes skills in handling customer payments, managing cash handling equipment, and maintaining a secure financial environment.
This qualification equips students with the skills to conduct regular patrols, identify and report security threats, and engage with the public to maintain order and safety. It also focuses on maintaining accurate records of patrol activities and ensuring compliance with security protocols.
This qualification prepares students to perform security duties, including conducting patrols, responding to security incidents, and maintaining security equipment and systems. It also equips them with the skills to collaborate with law enforcement and other security personnel to ensure a safe and secure environment.
This qualification prepares students to oversee and manage security operations effectively. It equips them with the skills to coordinate security teams, develop and implement security protocols, and respond to incidents strategically. Students will also learn how to manage security resources, maintain compliance and regulatory standards, and collaborate with stakeholders to ensure a safe and secure environment.
The qualification equips students to ensure the safety and wellbeing of individuals in the workplace, by gaining comprehensive knowledge and essential skills to identify and effectively mitigate hazards, and minimise risks within designated work areas.
“An overview of the aforementioned occupational certificates will show that the skills being learned are in high demand in South Africa. Additionally, by virtue of their SAQA-registration, they are recognised and valued by South African employers,” said Makubalo.
“It is true that a Matric certificate remains an important milestone for many, but it is most definitely not the only route to personal and career success.
“For those students for whom Matric simply isn’t a fit, Occupational Certificates offer a viable, practical, and work-relevant alternative that will equip them with the skills and confidence they need to thrive in their chosen careers.
“These alternatives are becoming increasingly important, providing a more inclusive and effective way to prepare students for the workforce.”
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Balancing language policy and multilingual education in SA schools
The Constitution recognises the right to education in the language of choice.
SA’s rich linguistic diversity poses both opportunities and challenges for the nation’s education system.
With numerous official languages, the country has sought to promote multilingualism in schools, but a lack of resources, teacher training and policy consistency are making this a complex goal to achieve.
The Constitution recognises the right to education in the language of choice, where “reasonably practicable,” but implementing this has proven challenging.
According to a 2023 report by Equal Education, numerous schools lack adequately trained teachers and resources to effectively teach in all official languages.
The report indicates that schools prefer English and Afrikaans, with indigenous languages often marginalised, particularly in higher grades where English becomes the primary language of instruction.
“Multilingual education offers significant cognitive and social benefits,” says Dr Thabo Mokgosi, a linguistics professor at the University of Johannesburg.
Studies have shown that learning in one’s mother tongue enhances understanding, critical thinking and retention.
In early grades, the Department of Basic Education promotes mother-tongue instruction to build foundational literacy skills, which can then support learning in additional languages.
However, this approach faces barriers, particularly in rural schools, where qualified teachers for indigenous languages are scarce.
The National Education Infrastructure Management System (NEIMS) indicates that only 15% of schools have the resources to support effective multilingual instruction and textbooks are often only available in English and Afrikaans.
A 2023 report from Equal Education (EE) highlighted that many schools face a shortage of trained teachers and resources to support multilingual education across all official languages.
Consequently, many learners transition abruptly to English as the language of instruction, which research by the Human Sciences Research Council has shown can affect comprehension and academic performance.
In recent years, the government has introduced programmes aimed at supporting multilingualism, including the Incremental Introduction of African Languages (IIAL) policy, which requires schools to offer at least one African language as a subject. Implementation remains inconsistent with rural and disadvantaged schools lagging behind due to limited funding and teaching capacity.
Parents are also divided on the issue.
Some argue that English fluency is essential for future career prospects while others believe their children should learn in their mother tongue for cultural preservation.
The digital divide in South African schools is a reality
Creating a barrier to equal learning opportunities
The digital divide in South Africa’s education system remains a pressing issue, disproportionately affecting rural learners with limited access to essential digital tools and online resources.
While internet access has improved in urban areas, rural regions still struggle with insufficient infrastructure, leaving many learners unable to leverage digital advancements that could transform their educational experience.
Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) reports that only about 37% of rural households have internet access, a stark contrast to the over 70% in urban households. This disparity is evident in schools as well.
Urban schools are often equipped with computer labs and reliable internet, while rural schools rely on minimal technology, hindering learners’ access to information, assignments and online learning resources.
The Covid-19 pandemic amplified this divide, as urban learners could transition to online classes, whereas those in rural areas were left behind.
Research by the Department of Basic Education shows that nearly 60% of rural learners could not participate in online learning during lockdown, underscoring how lack of access reinforces educational inequalities.
To address this, some government-private partnerships, like the Vodacom Foundation’s initiative to connect schools in remote areas, have attempted to bridge the gap.
However, these initiatives cover only a fraction of South African public schools. Experts agree that technology in education holds the power to equalise learning opportunities across socioeconomic divides.
Stats SA reports several factors contribute to South Africa’s digital divide in education:
Limited access in rural areas, with only 3.6% of households in the North West and 1.6% in Limpopo having internet access.
Expensive data plans make internet access unaffordable for many families, further limiting connectivity.
Many households lack essential digital devices, such as laptops, computers or tablets, to facilitate online learning.
Limited software access affects learners’ ability to engage with digital content.
Many learners and parents lack basic digital literacy skills, hindering the effective use of online resources and tools.
Supporting sources: Bizcommunity and The Mail & Guardian.
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How local schools are teaching sustainability and climate awareness
Schools have adapted to integrating sustainability and climate awareness into the learning curriculum by establishing easier ways of raising awareness about the two global issues.
Environmental challenges are becoming increasingly urgent, and call for our undivided attention through strategic ways of combating harm to our environment while teaching about sustainability and climate awareness.
Integrating environmental awareness into the education system is not just beneficial but essential as it teaches about the conservation of nature and reduces risks towards the increase of global warming, climate change, pollution, deforestation, and biodiversity loss.
Sustainable education focuses on teaching learners about the environment, sustainability practices, and the impact of human actions on the earth and the planet as a whole.
Incorporating sustainability into classroom lessons encourages an eco-friendly practice, and fosters a holistic approach that can encourage learners to become active participants in protecting nature and surrounding environments.
By incorporating these concepts, lessons and approach into the learning curriculum, educators and schools can foster a generation of environmentally conscious individuals who are well equipped to channel the pressing ecological issues of our time.
Natural sciences teacher at Msobovu Primary School, Nosipho Nopapaza, said the school subject deals with a lot about nature, conservation, sustainability and raising awareness on climate and climate change.
“In teaching conservation to the next generation, we are building a future of responsible consumers.
“Our lessons in school include teaching learners how to use resources wisely in order to empower them to adapt all the right habits at home.
“We teach learners about ecology and nature, from the water cycle to the ecosystem. Learners learn the connection between different animals, plants, their connection and importance or the role they play.
“We encourage the learners to ask questions so they can also form their own understanding about nature and environmental sustainability,” said Nopapaza.
Nopapaza further mentions that the protection of nature, sustainability and climate awareness starts by reducing the consumption of one-use items like plastic.
She elaborated by saying, “we can form a habit of carrying a reusable water bottle everywhere we go to prevent buying bottled water and throwing the bottle away.
“Something like making your own lunch can prevent one from buying lunch in disposable containers with cutlery. Cleaning up the environment happens at the shops by buying less plastic. These are some of the ways that we manage to raise awareness about climate, sustainability and environmental protection,” she said..
As a way of raising sustainability and climate awareness, Msobomvu Primary School has a food gardening project that educates learners about home gardening, a solution to climate change by using sustainable practices.
“Sustainable gardening and landscaping techniques can slow future warming by reducing carbon emissions and increasing carbon storage in soil and plants.
“Most schools around us also have an initiative that encourages and incentivises learners to collect recyclable items like paper, cardboard, tins and certain types of plastic.
“Through our feeding scheme we indirectly encourage learners to reduce the buying of food packaged in disposable wrapping,” said Nopapaza.
She added that if learners understand how fish populations in the ocean are affected by people dumping plastic in the sea and the potential of not having fish on our plates in the future due to low populations, they will not only stop polluting but they will also share the message in their homes, and that will raise awareness around sustainability and climate awareness.
Social sciences teacher Mfanelo Machanyana added to the topic by mentioning that learners are becoming aware that sustainability and climate awareness helps us take care of our health. It also makes us think broadly about animals, and insects that benefit from vegetation (flowers and trees) for shelter, food and for survival.
“Schools have charts and textbooks that demonstrate the causes and effects of a neglected environment and climate.
“The pictures engage learners to discuss the matter and learn best through visuals,” he added.
Machanyana said integrating environmental awareness even more into the curriculum is a vital step towards creating a sustainable future.
Sustainable education equips learners with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to address environmental challenges and makes a positive impact within our surrounding environments.
“By adopting a holistic approach that includes classroom learning, hands-on projects, and community involvement, we would be able to ensure that learners are not only aware of environmental issues but are also motivated to act responsibly for the betterment of our planet and everything around it,” he concluded.
Student targeted scams: how to stay safe ahead of the new academic year
For students, and Matrics preparing to start their studies, it’s now time to prepare for the year ahead.
This includes registering with a higher education institution or college, securing accommodation and transport, sourcing textbooks, purchasing educational tech such as laptops, and much more.
Unfortunately, the student journey specifically has over the past few years become a lucrative new source of potential victims for scammers, which is why young people need to be especially alert to potential bad actors these next few months.
“Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, exploiting the trust and urgency often associated with online transactions and the need to secure study placement, accommodation, and so forth.
“Students are particularly vulnerable as they may be unfamiliar with common scams or eager to secure deals quickly, amid tough competition for limited space and resources,” said Adrian Garden, acting dean of academics at The Independent Institute of Education’s Rosebank College.
He said the most important warning for prospective students, is to be aware of bogus institutions.
Bogus institutions
Bogus colleges prey on the desperation of prospective students who did not secure a spot at their preferred institution of higher learning, or those with limited financial means.
Unfortunately, signing up with a bogus institution means that you will waste precious time and money, with nothing to show for your efforts after the fact.
It is therefore important to ensure that, if you sign up with an institution claiming to be a legitimate private higher education institution, you check they are registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training’s (DHET) private higher education provider register on their website, as well as with the Council for Higher Education and Training (CHE).
Any credible campus must be able to show you a certificate to that effect, which details the campus, provider and qualifications.
All higher education qualifications need to be accredited by the Higher Education Quality Committee of the Council on Higher Education, if they are not accredited, they will not appear on the certificate referred to above.
All qualifications must be registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and students should ask for the SAQA NQF identity numbers.
Logistical scams
Scammers targeting students also focus on all areas of the value chain, such as offering rooms or other accommodation, transport services, second-hand textbook sales, and so forth.
Whatever it is that you are looking for as a student preparing for studies next year, it is important to understand the risks and stay vigilant, especially when making online purchases or agreements.
Scammers target individuals on both sides of the transaction, leveraging common vulnerabilities. Common factors that attract them include:
• Eager buyers: Students may rush to secure deals on textbooks, electronics, or household items at discounted rates, making them prime targets for fake listings.
• Trusting sellers: Students selling items such as gaming consoles, laptops, or textbooks may be eager to conclude a deal, unknowingly falling victim to fraudulent buyers.
• High-value items: Transactions involving popular items like technology, luxury accessories, or event tickets are particularly at risk.
• Urgency and emotional stories: Scammers often create urgency or share emotional stories, such as buying for a loved one, to gain trust and pressure victims into quick decisions.
• Controlled communication channels: Scammers move conversations to private messaging apps, where they can manipulate and control interactions.
Garden said prospective students should watch out for listings with unusually low prices or buyers willing to pay more than the asking price.
Students should always trust their gut feelings about an online transaction, he says.
• “Scammers often accept the price immediately or offer extra for shipping or courier fees.
• “Sellers may also present fake shipping confirmations, while buyers may provide fake payment notifications, such as SMS alerts.
• “Scammers may also often use couriers not linked to reputable companies, claiming they can’t deliver or pay until additional money is sent.
• “If there are any sudden changes to agreed terms, such as payment methods or delivery details, be aware that you may be on the receiving end of a common scam tactic.”
Garden said students are especially vulnerable to scamsters due to the urgency and limited time before the new academic year kicks off.
They should however always err on the side of caution.
• “Always do thorough research into the legitimacy of listings.
• “Search the seller’s name, contact details, and product photos online to check for scams.
• “Better to lose a deal and search for the next legitimate one, than act in haste only to have to repent at leisure.
• “Also, verify the product or service, and demand secure payment options on above-board platforms.”
• Perhaps the most important of all, if a handover needs to happen, choose meeting points in safe public areas, he said.
• “Don’t let buyers rush or manipulate you into completing a deal.
• “Scammers often create urgency to bypass your safeguards. Always trust your instincts.
• “If something doesn’t feel right, stop the interaction and block the person. And remember that there are people you can trust, who can advise you if you are unsure.
• “For instance, when applying to an institution, or purchasing academic materials, student support centres at quality higher education institutions will be happy to assist and guide you.”
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