SECUNDA – The 24th annual Sasol Grade 12 Merit Awards took place on Thursday, 10 January at the Graceland Arena.
Sasol, together with Osizweni Science Centre hosted a spectacular event where the excelling matriculants and their teachers were the guests of honour.
The event was hosted by local funny man, Lolo ‘Abuti Lolo’ Mokoena and Ms Nivashnee Francois, who kept the guests going for the long night.
Mr Simon Baloyi, acting senior vice president of Secunda Synfuels Operations, opened and welcomed the guests.
“Sasol views education as an enabler to improve the lives of people within our communities,” said Mr Baloyi.
The Dipaleseng, Lekwa- and Govan Mbeki municipalities matriculants who received three or more distinctions in their final exams were rewarded with R1 000 per distinction towards registration and further studies. A fitting motivational speech from a former Osizweni student, Mr Bonginkosi
Ndlela, spoke to the matriculants about handling success and reaching for the stars, adding that their success in matric is only the beginning of their life journey.
A total of 82 learners were honoured as well as schools and teachers within the municipal area who performed well in the areas of mathematics and science.
The categories included Top 15; 10 and five achievers in non-fee paying schools in the municipal areas of Govan Mbeki Municipality, Lekwa and Dipaleseng respectively.
Non-fee paying schools also referred to as quintile 1-3 schools, had Osizweni play a vital role in producing outstanding results.
Each of the top achievers received R15 000 to fund their registration and further studies.
In the best educators categories, teachers who produced the best results in mathematics and physical science, overall; in the quintile 1-3 Osizweni supported schools, were recognised and celebrated.
The Overall Most Improved School is I.M. Manchu School in the Dipaleseng municipality who achieved a 55,9 per cent pass rate in 2017, they improved by 37 per cent, totalling their pass rate in 2018 to an outstanding 92,9 per cent.
The Overall Best Educator in mathematics is Ms Matie Viljoen, from Hoërskool Secunda, who produced a total of 30 distinctions in her class. Rose
Jerry Thanjan from Hoërskool Evander received the Overall Top Achiever award with seven distinctions in mathematics, physical sciences, IT, life sciences, English and Afrikaans; and an average percentage of 92 per cent.
In closing, the speaker of GMM , Cllr Zuma thanked all the companies and individuals who were involved in making the event a success.
