Vhembe district matrics the cream of the province

The Vhembe district matric learners have once again made the province proud as they accumulated a 76,6% pass rate to remain the top performing district. Limpopo registered an increase of 3,2% after acquiring a 65,6% pass rate for the 2017 academic year. This pronouncement was made by Education MEC Ishmael Kgetjepe at The Ranch Resort …

January 11, 2018

2 minutes read

The Vhembe district matric learners have once again made the province proud as they accumulated a 76,6% pass rate to remain the top performing district. Limpopo registered an increase of 3,2% after acquiring a 65,6% pass rate for the 2017 academic year.
This pronouncement was made by Education MEC Ishmael Kgetjepe at The Ranch Resort when he officially announced the Limpopo National Senior Certificate (NSC) pass rate last Friday.
Kgetjepe revealed that 83 227 candidates had written the exams but only 54 625 learners passed. He said the province had increased its bachelor percentage passes from 18% in 2016 to 21% last year with 17 790 learners achieving bachelor passes. Some
20 011 candidates qualify for diploma study, 16 809 for higher certificates, 11 received NSC qualification and four endorsed NSC qualification.

Education MEC Ishmael Kgetjepe delivers his address during the pronouncement of the 2017 matric results pass rate at The Ranch Resort on Friday.

Top three learners
He also announced the top three learners in the province who obtained a minimum of 60% in six subjects and a bachelor pass, excluding Life Orientation.
The first position went to Anza Tshipetane of Mbilwi Secondary School in Vhembe district with a total of 1 718 while the second spot was occupied by Daniel Swarts from Hoërskool Pietersburg in Capricorn district with 1 715 points and Boitumelo Ngoepe from Dendron Secondary School, also in Capricorn, with a total marks of 1 710.
Learners who put the province on the map are Thendo Kutama and Takalani Bambela who took position two and three in quintile two category respectively while Ngoepe got position two in the quintile one category.
Tshipetane was named the top achiever in quintile four schools in the country while Bambela and Wonderful Nemalamangwa got position one and two for Mathematics and Physical Sciences respectively and were also recognised on the national stage.
Rivoni School for the Blind
The MEC Special Award went to Thulani Shikwambana from Rivoni School for the Blind from the Vhembe district for achieving the highest marks in Xitsonga Home Language. The candidate competed with candidates from special schools and public ordinary schools and outcompeted all of them, Kgetjepe explained.
Capricorn district dropped further
Kgetjepe was disappointed that Capricorn district as the hub of the province dropped further from its performance of 66,7% in 2015 to 60,9% in 2016 and again in 2017 registered a disappointing performance of 59,7% pass rate. He further stressed that more support should be provided to the district for the pass rate to increase.
Premier Stan Mathabatha warned during his address that poor performance displayed by the likes of Capricorn district cannot be accepted and added that for Limpopo to achieve its 80% pass rate target, good performance from bigger districts such as Capricorn and Vhembe in needed. He congratulated all learners who have made it and reiterated that those who can still repeat matric are urged to do so and those who qualify for supplementary examinations to seize the moment and prepare thoroughly for the exams.