TZANEEN – Merensky Agricultural Academy’s Christine Beukes has brought pride to the Mopani West Education District and the Tzaneen Circuit after being named the second-best learner in Limpopo.

She achieved eight distinctions and shares the honour with Rodney Ndivuweni from Vhembe East.

Nkowankowa Circuit emerged as the top-performing circuit in Mopani West after achieving a 94.6% pass rate, an improvement of 2.2% from last year’s 92.4%. Mawa followed closely in second place with 94.3%, while Lepelle 4 ranked third with 91.5%. Tzaneen Circuit placed fourth at 91.3%, and Khujwana came fifth with a 90.5% pass rate.

Although Xihoko Circuit finished last in Mopani West at 13th position with an 87.1% pass rate, it recorded the greatest improvement, increasing by 12.3% from 74.8% in 2024.

Twelve schools in Mopani West achieved a 100% pass rate. These are Meridian Combined College, St George College, Merensky Agricultural Academy, Petanenge High School, Mpapatla High School, Khataza High School, Lowveld Academy (Hoedspruit), Matokane Secondary School, Sedan High School, Maboko Secondary School, Mantsobele Secondary School, and Mapheto Secondary School.

Mopani West Education District ranked third best in Limpopo with an overall pass rate of 87.8%, trailing Capricorn North at 87.9% and the leading district, Mogalakwena, which recorded a 90.9% pass rate.

Merensky Agricultural Academy also distinguished itself at provincial level as the third-best public ordinary school after achieving a 100% pass rate. A total of 246 learners wrote the examinations, with 218 obtaining bachelor’s passes. Ethan Bronkhorst stood out with nine distictions.

In the independent schools category, Musa Shiluvana from St George College in Nkowankowa Circuit was named the third best-performing candidate with 1 624 marks.

Mark Shope High School principal Samuel Baloyi, from N’wamitwa outside Tzaneen, received the MEC’s award for transforming a school previously plagued by low morale and poor performance. Between 2017 and 2020, the school recorded pass rates of between 44% and 59%. Under his leadership, it has since become an academic standout, achieving second place in its circuit with a 98.6% average in 2024.

Other high-performing schools included Khesethwane Secondary School (98.7%), Lowveld Academy Tzaneen (98.4%), Mpumulana High School (98.1%), Zivuko High School (98%), Hoedspruit High School (97.9%), and Ben Vorster High School (96%). The Vossies boasts four learners with five distictions.

Mopani West Education District Director Phillipine Modika said she had mixed feelings about the district’s third-place ranking in the province.

“I am happy that we improved from last year’s 87.2% to 87.8%, an increase of 0.6%. However, I am disappointed that we did not reclaim our position as the best district in the province. This was mainly due to seven of our circuits declining in performance, although more than five of our circuits still achieved pass rates above 90%,” she said.