TOP matric achievers from Tembisa were awarded for their excellent results on Saturday, 27 January.
Held at Tembisa Christian Family Church, the award ceremony was hosted by Ubukhosi Print and Engraving and aimed to recognise, inspire and motivate Tembisa's top achievers in furthering their studies.
Bukhosi Prince Mkhize, founder of Ubukhosi Print and Engraving, said: "We brought the class of 2024 as well to witness the awards. We hope that this will inspire them during the course of the year."
Lungelo Gift Tshabalala, who obtained eight distinctions, expressed how happy he was to be top as this will help to put his school, Tembisa West Secondary School on the map.
He said he found it hard to believe that he is number one in Tembisa as a whole. He advised the class of 2024 to study smart and not hard.
He said:
He said he used to wake up at 3am to study until 6am and study again from 7pm until 10pm. “I am going to be studying medicine at UCT in Cape Town,” he said proudly.
Thakgalo Percy Mampama, who was the second top achiever, received R3 000 said he is going to study actuarial science at UJ.
Gugulethu Lungile Masilela, who was the third top achiever with seven distinctions, advised the class of 2024 not to be afraid of getting out of their comfort zone and do things they're not used to doing as one needs do extraordinary things to get extraordinary results. She said she will study actuarial science in Cape Town.
Previous top achievers also attended the event: Mmenzeli Ncube, the 2019 top achiever who is a third year mathematical science student at Wits University, Ziphezinhle Langa, the 2020 top achiever doing third year actuarial science at Wits University and Anele Khwaphuna, the 2021 top achiever doing third year in civil engineering at Wits University.
Mmenzeli said the award ceremony helps pupils understand that success brings rewards. He advised pupils to never forget their upbringing, culture and principles when they are at university.
Miss Tembisa 2023, Palesa Mailula, who is currently completing a three year national diploma in accounting at the University of Johannesburg, said such an event has a full impact on pupils as it motivates them to work even harder for the awards.
Rebecca Phala, national South African National Taxi Council spokeswoman, urged the pupils not to limit themselves. "Black people are winning," she said.
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Fanyana Khumalo, K2M Director who took care of catering and decoration for the event, advised the pupils to strive for excellence and remain disciplined.
"Whatever you do, put 100% effort, there are no shortcuts. The discipline you learnt at home, needs to be on a higher level now because you will be entering a brand new world. Some institutions sell liquor to students, many things are happening and things are going to change. Remain grounded and remember why you are there. Make your parents more proud," said Khumalo.
He suggested that grade 11 and 10 pupils should also be part of the ceremony so they can be encouraged.
Noni Julia Hlahla, president of SAPA Gauteng, said: "The initiative is good because more pupils are committed to doing their work."
She acknowledged there was a drop in the pass rate and suggested that pupils spend more time preparing in order to achieve good results.
“There are a number of issues that affect pupils. The district and the area need to go back to the drawing table and identify these challenges. The unrest in townships, children not going to school, service delivery and so forth, are contributing factors," she said.
It is common knowledge that there was a drop in the passing rate this year. The area got 75 percent.
Nonceba Ntuta,Ekurhuleni Education district director acknowledged the drop in the pass rate.
She said:
She said it has been shown before that township schools have what it takes to be at the same level of their counterparts regardless of the fact that they have extensive resources that township schools don't have.
“Initially, there was a huge gap between township and town schools. We worked tirelessly as officials of the department in trying to bridge that gap and we succeeded. However, after Covid the marks dropped again and ever since we are struggling to go back. We need to do proper planning in order to win and go back to where we belong. We need to start early in anything and everything we do,” stated Ntuta.
Apostle Patrick Molotsi who also attended the event, said: “Education is the weapon that will destroy poverty. Make sure you go to varsity to learn. Be determined, be committed in what you do. Don't be absorbed by the culture of varsity or college life. If it is to be, it is up to you."
