NELSPRUIT – Barberton Prison produced one of the top-achieving matric offenders in the province.
Sibusiso Nkosi (31) of eMbalenhle, who is currently serving life for rape, proved that determination and hard work paid off. He topped all inmates in the prison who wrote their 2013 matric exams, obtaining two distinctions, for life orientation and English.
He said he had worked hard to achieve those marks and had to endure many sleepless nights with his books.
His marks included 90 per cent in life orientation, 81 per cent in English first additional language, 77 per cent in mathematics, 72 per cent in life sciences,
65 per cent in isiZulu, 61 per cent in geography and 45 per cent in business studies.
He said passing his grade 12 had inspired him to focus more on his education and he would be studying towards degree in accounting.
Nkosi’s colleagues of Umlatati Learning Centre in Barberton achieved a 100 per cent pass rate in their matric exams. It was the only centre to do so. The centre only started with matric students in 2013 and was able to obtain a an average subject perfomance rate of 54,9 per cent, Usethubeni Youth Centre of Durban Westville in KwaZulu-Natal was second with a 67 per cent pass rate.
This was divulged by the deputy minister of correctional services Adv Ngoako Ramathlodi during the announcement of the offenders’ matric results held at Nelspruit Correctional Services on January 8.
The centre’s management was also awarded with a trophy for its outstanding performance.
The event was also attended by the top five offenders who achieved excellent results in their exams, they included Tyrons Mohlanga, Musa Cele, Senzo Khanyeza, Lonwabo Silangwe and Celumusa Mhlongo. They obtained passrate ranging from 80,85 per cent and 76,28 per cent.
