SEDIBENG.- Gauteng MEC for Human Settlements Tasneem Motara visited General Smuts High School, Thuto-Lore Secondary School, and Mohlodi Maritime School of Specialisation as part of the Gauteng Provincial Governments’ back-to-school campaign yesterday, Wednesday.

“We are committed to making 2025 a year of success and opportunity for every learner in our community,” said Motara, as she urged the 2025 Matric class at Thuto-Lore to work together and pull each other up to surpass the 98% pass rate achieved by the Class of 2024. Motara told learners, teachers, and parents that together:

“We can create an environment that fosters learning and growth, building a strong foundation for a prosperous and inclusive future.”

Motara also said the purpose of the campaign was to ensure that schools are well-prepared and equipped to provide a conducive learning environment. Furthermore, the campaign aimed to monitor operations, engage with learners and staff about the Gauteng Department of Education’s plans and calendar for the year, and facilitate discussions between School Governing Bodies (SGB’s), the DOE district office, and the community regarding challenges related to learning programmes, facilities, and safety.

Thuto-Lore’s principal, Thabo Lehobo, explained the challenges and successes of the school as they aim to achieve a 100 % pass rate for the Class of 2025. The school achieved a 98% pass rate in 2024. Lehobo told Motara and the Sedibeng District Municipality’s (SDM) executive mayor, Lerato Maloka, that because the school had a technical workshop and a computer lab, it was plagued by crime and asked the government to assist it so that education is not interrupted.

The executive mayor of the Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM), Sipho Radebe, also accompanied Motara.

Motara told learners at Mohloli Maritime School of Specialisation that now is the time for ‘Dibuka Marung’, ( in reference to a popular song that young people enjoyed and jived to in the festive season), as they had a lot to contribute to the country as one of the few schools with specialised subjects. Motara further informed the learners that the next SA Navy captain would be one of them. The MEC also reminded them that the country had vast opportunities in the Maritime industry.

In Vereeniging, General Smuts High School Principal, Hendrik Opperman, explained the challenges of the school which include ablution facilities that are not working. General Smuts High School, SGB chairperson, Nomsa Motaung asked Motara and her entourage to assist in curbing the drug use by learners by adding more patrollers around the school.

Meanwhile, Destinata Skool, was named as one of the Top 3 LSEN schools in the province.