POLOKWANE – The Polokwane Municipality celebrated the hard work and dedication of the 2024 matriculants, their teachers, and school staff in the Capricorn north and south districts, by hosting an awards ceremony at the Jack Botes Hall on Friday.

Both education districts delivered commendable results, with Capricorn north schools achieving an 84.96% pass rate and Capricorn south slightly higher at 85.8%.

Among the circuits, the Pietersburg circuit stood out with an 89.9% pass rate and 1 511 bachelor passes from over 2 500 candidates.

Hoërskool Pietersburg led the municipal area with 89.3% bachelor passes and an impressive overall pass rate of 98.5%.

Principal Adolf Ellis attributed this success to teamwork and consistent effort.

Accounting teacher Karlien Malan also earned recognition for achieving the highest marks in her subject across both districts.

The ceremony brought together principals of high-performing schools, top teachers, and the best-achieving matriculants.

Certificates of achievement, trophies, and sponsored laptops were awarded to the learners as tools to support their further studies.

Polokwane Mayor John Mpe stressed the value of education and perseverance.

“The journey of learning may not always be easy, but the rewards are immeasurable. Let us persevere through challenges, embrace setbacks as opportunities for growth, and celebrate every milestone along the way,” he said.

Capricorn south dominated the municipality’s top 20 best-performing learners list, with 10 learners making the cut:

1. Faatimah Anver, Taxila Secondary School.
2. Tlou Phukubje, Taxila Secondary School.
4. Ameera Gani, Northern Muslim School.
8. Zarich Lourens, Hoërskool Pietersburg.
9. Yusra Patel, Taxila Secondary School.
10. Dimakatso Nkoana, Taxila Secondary School.
15. Thabo Mamabolo, Taxila Secondary School.
17. Dimpho Paku, Taxila Secondary School.
18. Shatadi Dikgale, Capricorn High School.
20. Tuka Maloma, Flora Park Comprehensive High.