WATCH: Class of 2024 has again shown improvement with an 88.4% pass rate
The provincial government awarded the top performers from the Class of 2024 with bursaries to study at an SA higher education institution of their choice.

The Class of 2024 has again shown improvement with an unprecedented 88.4% pass rate from 85.4% in 2023. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi was joined by the MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane, for the announcement of the Gauteng matric performance for 2024 on January 14 at Vodaworld in Midrand.
The provincial government awarded the top performers from the Class of 2024 with bursaries to study at an SA higher education institution of their choice.
Musawenkosi Buthelezi (Zimisele Secondary, Gauteng East) was the top learner in Gauteng, getting 1 721 marks overall in seven subjects.
Chiloane said the results showed resilient, determined and dedicated learners, “We are extremely proud as a province. The top learner coming from a township demonstrates that all our schools offer quality education.
“It doesn’t matter where you are in Gauteng. There’s a determination, willingness and commitment to provide that particular excellent education, and we’ve shown it.
“Here is Musawenkosi Buthelezi. He is from Kwa-Thema and demonstrated that you can be number one in Gauteng. All our schools are receiving support to show they provide quality education to our learners,” he said.
He said he advocated for one exam because, after Grade 12, learners will write one exam at the tertiary level. Lesufi mentioned that as a province, they took risks and made sacrifices by not following the ordinary system.
“We’ve introduced schools of specialisation and invited certain economic sectors to adopt our schools. We are changing our schools so learners become relevant to the economy.
“This came at a cost. Gauteng used to be number one or two. However, we had to adapt because, if we can’t adapt, we’ll do what other people are doing and end up with learners who are unemployable.
“The fact that within five years of starting this, we still have the best Bachelor passes after KZN, and a higher number of distinctions is a great feat. We took the risk – investing in township education – because we are tired of seeing learners leave the township and go to urban areas.
“This is the first time a top learner comes from a township, and I’m excited about that. To me, it is a return on investment. The posture we’ve taken as Gauteng, others will follow us,” he said.
Local schools did their best to achieve good marks. The Diversity High School continues to improve, improving by 4.7% in 2024. However, the best three schools to improve were Elethu Ithemba (4.9%), Hoërskool Die Fakkel (5.2%) and Jardao College (5.3%).
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How local schools fared:
• Ithuba-Lethu Secondary – 96.7%;
• Horizon International High – 100%;
• St Martin’s – 100%;
• Kenilworth Secondary – 97.3%;
• Hoërskool President – 93.1%;
• Mondeor High – 88.2%;
• Glenvista High – 91.5%;
• Jordao College – 95.8%;
• The Hill High – 84.6%;
• Elethu Themba – 93.1%;
• Sir John Adamson High – 86.9%;
• Forest High – 84.89%;
• Hoërskool Die Fakkel – 88.99%;
• Kibler Park Secondary – 74.5%;
• Diversity High – 77.98%;
• Ridgeway Muslim – 100%.