Mathakha Madzivhandila: “I attend extra classes and focus on my mental health. I try putting in extra effort and cutting off distractions. I want to study criminal law after matric and, to get accepted into universities, I must improve my studies.”
Five learners shared their expectations for their matric year in a recent poll.
The Class of 2024 set a new national record with an 87.3% pass rate in the National Senior Certificate exams, the highest in SA’s history.
Ogechi McMurray, head of sport: “I have been to China representing the country in water polo. It will be a tough year balancing sports, cultural activities and academics with all the strict schedules in between. However, I have a great support system to carry me. This year, we have to rely on most of our teachers’ efforts and experience to pull through.”
While attending the Godfrey Pitjie Academic Excellence Awards 2025 at the Dumisani Masilela Theatre in Germiston, members of St Dominic’s Catholic School’s Class of 2025 participated in the survey.
Among them were five girls from the school’s marimba band, who reflected on how the Class of 2024 inspired them and what they anticipate in their final year. Here’s what they had to say:
Elizabeth Chimedza, head of service: “Seeing last year’s history-making class had a higher pass rate leaves me excited for the year. The bar is already set. I hope we top that. We must do extra work to get the results we want, and use every opportunity presented to us.”
Ogechi McMurray, head of sport: “I have been to China representing the country in water polo. It will be a tough year balancing sports, cultural activities and academics with all the strict schedules in between. However, I have a great support system to carry me. This year, we have to rely on most of our teachers’ efforts and experience to pull through.”
Keabetswe Ntseoane – head of pre-grade: “I study one subject after school, and I also study on weekends. This is my last year, and a lot is at stake. The Class of 2024 comforted and inspired me that the possibilities are endless. We have seen girls from my school go overseas, and that is inspiring.”
Kwandokuhle Mahlaba – head of arts and culture. “At my school are girls who got seven distinctions last year. Looking at that it is an inspiration. It means we can also achieve miracles. We trust that through God, we can achieve anything. The year looks promising. Once completed, I will lean towards studying medicine or computer science. We need the extra classes and focus.”
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