With many 2021 matric learners already working towards their new career paths, the Department of Education Gauteng West District first wanted to congratulate those who excelled in 2021.
Learners from schools across the West Rand came together on Friday, February 4 for the Gauteng West District Matric Top Achievers awards that were held at the Ahmed Timol Secondary School in Azaadville.
The event was attended by the West Rand District Executive Mayor, Councillor Hullet Hild as well as other councillors, mayors and representatives from the department.
Speaking to the learners, Hild thanked the teachers and parents for supporting the learners. He said the learners quickly had to pick up on home study when lockdown came, but that they had made the District and the parents proud.
He encouraged them to go out and follow their dreams, and reminded them that it was a privilege not many get to enjoy.
The learners were also addressed by a former learner Thabo Vusumizi to motivate them for their future. He was born and raised in Simunye and said although he did not always have all the opportunities, hard work got him to where he is. He encouraged the learners to help each other and stand together.
The last person to address the learners was Gauteng West Deputy Director, Edmond Ditsi. He said the matrics of 2021 were in a different class. “A Grade 12 of a special kind,” he called them, and added that the learners did well because they had extraordinary support from educators, scholar transport and principals, and their level of commitment was outstanding.
He told the learners that this was their day and they needed to make the most of it.
The overall top performing school in the District was Hoërskool Noordheuwel while Madiba Secondary School was the overall top performing township school. Abdullah Ismail from Ahmed Timol Secondary School was the District’s top-performing learner, and Sisanda Ngqabayi from Lodirile Secondary School was the top learner for the Secondary School Improvement Programme (SSIP) schools.
Hoërskool Noordheuwel, Hoërskool Monument, Krugersdorp High School, Randfontein High School and Madiba Secondary School all finished in the top 100 schools in Gauteng.
Three learners from the West Rand finished among the top 100 learners in Gauteng, with Abdullah Ismail from Ahmed Timol Secondary School finishing third, Lalique du Toit from Hoërskool Noordheuwel in the 67th position, and Ashley Stewart from Hoërskool Monument finishing in the 100th place.
Azaadville Muslim School and UniHigh West Rand were the only two schools to achieve a 100 per cent pass rate in the West Rand, and UniHigh was also the most improved non-SSIP school, while Randfontein Secondary was the most improved SSIP school.
Magaliesburg State School was the most improved rural school.
Other awards:
Top performing schools in Physical Science:
• Mandisa Shiceka Secondary School (township schools)
• Hoërskool Monument (town schools)
• Schaumburg Combined School (rural schools)
Top performing schools in Maths:
• Ahmed Timol Secondary (township schools)
• Hoërskool Noordheuwel (town schools)
• Schaumburg Combined School (rural schools)
Top five achievers in Kagiso, Azaadville and Munsieville:
• Abdullah Ismail – Ahmed Timol Secondary
• Sisanda Ngqabayi – Lodirile Secondary School
• Laaiqah Bayat – Azaadville Muslim School
• Aman Bharati and Aadil Suleman Bobat – Azaadville Muslim School
• Tlhalefo Sebaeng – Mandisa Sciceka Secondary school
Top five achievers in Mohlakeng, Bekkersdal and Toekomsrus:
• Thabo Johan Sithole – AB Phokompe Secondary School
• Mashao Joel Satekge – AB Phokompe Secondary School
• Siphosakhe Mkhwanazi – Thuto Lehakwe Secondary School
• Tshogofatso Angel Rabotso – Lukhanyo High School
• Rorisang Molaudi – Phahama Secondary School
Top five achievers in town schools:
• Lalique du Toit – Hoërskool Noordheuwel
• Ashley Steward – Hoërskool Monument
• Luca Badenhorst – Hoërskool Monument
• Zander Ladeira – Hoërskool Noordheuwel
• Heinrich Verheem – Hoërskool Noordheuwel
Top five achievers in rural schools:
• Lemogang Orapeleng Malebo – Magaliesburg State School
• Alinah Mascae Modibedi – Ithuteng Secondary School
• Sandile Maxwell Mlilo – Magaliesburg Secondary School
• Karabo Dube – Schaumburg Combined School
• Orateng Mogorosi – Schaumburg Combined School
Best performing schools in Kagiso, Munsieville and Azaadville:
• Madiba Secondary School
• Ahmed Timol Secondary School
• Masupatsela Secondary School
Best performing schools in Mohlakeng, Bekkersdal and Toekomsrus:
• Pahama Secondary School
• Lukhanyo High School
• AB Phokompe Secondary School
Best performing town schools:
• Hoërskool Noordheuwel
• Hoërskool Monument
• Krugersdorp High School
Best performing rural schools:
• Ithuteng Secondary School
• Magaliesburg Secondary School
• Matla Combined School
• Magaliesburg Secondary School
• Matla Combined School
