HOEDSPRUIT – Maruleng Municipality Mayor Tsheko Musolwa extended heartfelt congratulations to the winners of the 2025 Maruleng Matric Awards, recognising learners and teachers who excelled in the National Senior Certificate exams.

A celebration of academic excellence

The prestigious ceremony, held at the Radisson Safari Hotel in Hoedspruit, celebrated the 2025 matric cohort for their exceptional academic achievements. Attendees were treated to a gala dinner in the presence of the mayor and distinguished dignitaries from the education sector.

Awardees received trophies, certificates, and cash prizes, honouring their dedication, perseverance, and commitment to excellence. Their achievements reflect not only personal effort but also the dedication of their teachers and schools in supporting their learning journeys. District performance also highlighted the region’s strong academic outcomes.

District results show regional academic strength

Mopani West achieved 87.8%, ranking third in the province. Maruleng outperformed with 90.5%, while Lepelle 4 Circuit led with 91.5%, closely followed by Makhutswe Circuit at 89.4%. These results showcase the commitment of teachers and learners across the district to achieving excellence.

In his address, Musolwa emphasised the role of education in shaping the future and encouraged continued investment in learners’ success.

“Every achievement we celebrate tonight is a victory for hard work, discipline, and commitment. Our learners are not just passing exams, they are building the foundation for a brighter future. Maruleng will continue to champion education and empower every child to succeed,” he said.

Mopani West district director, Phillipine Modika, also praised the achievements of both learners and teachers, highlighting the critical role teachers play in guiding learners to reach their full potential.

“Behind every top learner is a teacher who believes, encourages, and invests time and energy. Today, we celebrate not only the learners’ success but the dedication of every educator who makes excellence possible. It is through collaboration, mentorship, and guidance that our schools continue to thrive,” said Modika.

Officials praise the dedication of learners and teachers

The awards ceremony served as a reminder that strong leadership, vision, and support are vital to nurturing talent. The presence of both the mayor and the director underscored the importance of community and government involvement in fostering academic achievement and inspiring the next generation of leaders.

School principals and teachers expressed pride in the accomplishments of their learners and praised the municipality for recognising excellence. “Celebrating the successes of learners motivates others to strive for greater heights,” one principal told the Herald. “These awards are a true testament to the hard work, resilience, and dedication of both learners and teachers.”

The 2025 Maruleng Matric Awards not only honoured outstanding academic performance but also reinforced the municipality’s commitment to investing in education, ensuring that learners have the support, guidance, and resources needed to excel.

Award winners share their journeys

Maruleng’s top three achievers say support from the community carried them through their matric year.

Dineo

Leading the pack was Dineo Sebashe from Sekgalabjana Secondary School, who was named the best learner in Maruleng. She walked away with R20 000, a certificate, a trophy, and a laptop.

Sebashe, who followed a commercial stream with mathematical literacy, said a supportive environment played a major role in her success. “What contributed to my academic success was the conducive environment I was in. My mom and my teachers were always motivating me and never looked down on my results,” she said.

She described using structured timetables, active recall, breaking work into smaller sections, and short breaks to stay focussed. Sebashe encouraged learners to focus on progress rather than perfection. “It’s not about being perfect, it’s about being better than the person you were yesterday,” she said.

Nsovo

Second place went to Nsovo Tivane from Lowveld Academy, who received R15 000, a certificate, a trophy, and a tablet. Tivane said she was shocked when she received the news. “I honestly couldn’t believe it. It’s such a great achievement and I’m so grateful,” she said.

Life sciences was her strongest subject, which she attributed to both interest and discipline. Tivane credited her success largely to her faith. “I would say my faith in the Lord. The prayers throughout the journey and His faithfulness are what brought me here,” she said.

Her journey was marked by personal hardship, as her mom battled cancer throughout her Gr 10 to 12 years. “There were many months where I wouldn’t see my mom, and that was really tough. She showed me true strength and resilience. Making her proud was one of my biggest goals,” Tivane said.

She also served as deputy head girl and hostel leader, roles she described as both challenging and fulfilling. Tivane plans to study medicine at the University of Cape Town.

Charmaine

Third place was secured by Charmaine Kgoedi from Rakgolokwana Secondary School, who received R10 000, a certificate, a trophy, and a tablet. She said she was “completely shocked and speechless” when she learned she had placed third.

Kgoedi excelled in English, life orientation, history, and mathematical literacy, and said her success came from discipline, curiosity, and a desire to understand rather than memorise. “I realised I was doing well around mid-year when I got six distinctions for the first time,” she said.

She often woke up at 03:00 to study challenging subjects and relied on past papers, mind maps, and group discussions during exams. Kgoedi plans to study law at the University of Johannesburg, driven by her passion for justice and equality.

To struggling learners, Kgoedi offered words of encouragement. “Don’t give up. Progress takes time. Self-belief is everything and never compare your journey to anyone else’s.”