City of Ekurhuleni honours top achievers at awards ceremony

The City of Ekurhuleni recently held the annual GM Pitje Academic Excellence Awards at the OR Tambo Government Precinct banquet hall.

Following a suspension owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, the awards were reinstituted this year to recognise academic excellence for all schools in Ekurhuleni.

The city celebrated the accomplishments of the class of 2023, and the day was filled with celebration. Parents, students and educators were acknowledged for the effort and commitment they had made to guarantee the academic achievement of these recent matric learners.

Executive Mayor of Ekurhuleni Sivuyile Ngondwana commended the stars of the day.

The city honoured 99 best performers from throughout Ekurhuleni, including the most improved schools, where some institutions saw their pass rates increase from slightly over 50% to over 80% in the most recent matriculation results.

“The awards are aimed at celebrating the hard work, dedication, and academic excellence exhibited by these young individuals, and as the city we are proud,” Ngondwana said.

Those recognised for excellence were bestowed with certificates, trophies and laptops. Guests were treated to some great young talent with Springs Boys High Choir and East Rand School of Arts rendering some live musical items.

Ngodwana used the occasion to inspire the 2023 matric class to keep being shining stars as they proceed to DHET levels.

“This is the beginning of an exciting new chapter of your life. I am looking forward to experiencing how you will shake things up for our city and the greater society, making us an even better place to live, invest and play,” he said.

In addition, the mayor used the occasion to urge the youth to cast their votes in the next national and local elections, giving them a chance to influence the course of the nation and have a voice in how its leaders are leading it.

“You must take advantage of the chance to select the government of your choice. These are the benefits of our democracy,” he said.

The crowning achievement of the awards ceremony was the presence of the city’s former bursary recipients, who have since graduated in a variety of areas. A few of them shared their journey to professional success.

Here are the learners from Alberton schools who received awards and prizes:

• Gilbert Blignaut from Hoërskool Marias Viljoen took second place in the top three of best performing learners in Ekurhuleni.

• Jaun Oosthuizen from Hoërskool Marias Viljoen took third place in the top three of best performing learners in Ekurhuleni.

• Gilbert Blignaut from Hoërskool Marias Viljoen took the second place again on the top 15 best performing learners in Ekurhuleni overall.

• Jaun Oosthuizen from Hoërskool Marias Viljoen took the third place again on the top 15 best performing learners in Ekurhuleni overall.

• Dior Zaverdino from Hoërskool Dinamika took the 15th place on the top 15 best performing learners in Ekurhuleni overall.

• Jaun Oosthuizen won the top learner award in English First Additional Language (HS Marias Viljoen).

• Gilbert Blignaut won the top learner award in information technology (HS Marias Viljoen).

• Neill du Toit also won the top learner award in information technology (HS Marias Viljoen).

Hoërskool Marias Viljoen High School won position nine on the best performing schools in Ekurhuleni with a 99% matric pass rate.