Nkandla celebrates top achievers

Nkandla Municipality honoured the best performing schools in the area, as well as the top 10 2025 matric achievers during the Mayoral Excellence Awards on Wednesday.

The event was held at the Indoor Sport Centre in Nkandla.

Mayor Nonhlanhla Nzuza said her municipality was impressed by the achievements made by the local schools.

“This includes circuits under our municipality. Besides awarding those who excelled in matric, we are also assisting 83 learners with registration fees to various universities of their choice,” she said.

She added that they have also helped some learners with school uniforms to encourage those at school to take their education seriously.

“Nkandla Municipality supports education for our children. We salute all learners; education is the only weapon to open all doors.

“We also urged them to represent us in a good manner wherever they go to further their studies.

“We also honoured them with trophies and certificates to remind them that their municipality supported them,” said the mayor.

Nzuza congratulated all circuit offices, teachers and their principals.

“Teachers are working under immense pressure and challenges due to the lack of proper infrastructure. We have seen a positive impact in our education, especially in Nkandla.

“Due to our contribution supporting the department, most schools are now fighting to achieve a 100% pass rate. Today we awarded schools that produced the most Bachelor passes, as those schools excelled in the matric results,” she said.

Sanele Zondo MP, who is also the IFP Youth Brigade chairperson, emphasised the importance of education.

Zondo is a member of the Higher Education Portfolio Committee and also serves under the Science and Technology Portfolio Committee, and said the government needs to look at the remuneration of teachers and other public servants.

“All these State employees are underpaid. In some cases, we find police officers committing crimes because their salary is very low,” she said.

Nkandla’s top three matric achievers were each awarded certificates, a trophy, a laptop and a tablet, and the rest were awarded a certificate, a trophy and a laptop each.

Top 10 achievers

1. Mlondi Ndlovu (Ngono Secondary School)
2. Akhona Ngonyama (Bizimali Secondary)
3. Thando Sibisi (Bizimali Secondary)
4. Okuhle Xhakaza (Bizimali Secondary)
5. Andile Cebisa (Bizimali Secondary)
6. Emihle Gasa (Bizimali Secondary)
7. Ayibongwe Mthimkhulu (Bizimali Secondary)
8. Amahle Khumalo (Bizimali Secondary)
9. Bhekithemba Dladla (Golozela Secondary)
10. Malwande Mhlongo (Bizimali Secondary)

The municipality also rewarded the top three schools that obtained the most Bachelor’s passes.

Bizimali Secondary School topped the list with 316 Bachelor’s passes, and was awarded a cheque of R20 000, a trophy and a certificate.

In second spot was Velangaye Secondary School with 288 Bachelor’s passes, and was awarded a cheque for R15 000, a trophy and a certificate.

Ngono Secondary School was third with 129 Bachelor’s passes, and received a R10 000 cheque, a trophy, and a certificate.

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