JERRY "Disco" Mbowane who started helping matrics with lessons under a tree is a happy man.
This after the man from Thulamashe near Bushbuckridge in Mpumalanga produced more than 11 top achievers in mathematics and physical science for the matric class of 2023.
He recently threw the top achievers a party to celebrate their great results and wish them luck as they head to different universities.
He said the pupils worked hard and tirelessly when they attended his Caltex Academy for Maths and Science.
The pupils were from various schools - including Mafemani, Eric and Orhovelani secondary schools, and they all passed with flying colours.
"I'm just happy. The pupils passed with distinctions. They got symbols to be able to go to university. Thanks to my two assistant teachers as well as our sponsor, Caltex. Today we're celebrating and congratulating them for their achievements. Well done, guys.
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"They're our products, and they have bright future for this country. God is so wonderful. I started the lessons in 1990 under the tree here at home. Ever since then we've been producing distinctions in maths and science. Some of our former pupils are medical doctors, pilots, actuarial scientists, pharmacists, engineers just to mention a few," he said.
He said he started a centre in Pretoria and will interchange with his assistants, which will give Gauteng pupils struggling in maths and science a chance as well.
The Caltex marketer in Mpumalanga, Raymond Nel said: "We are very grateful for the results that the academy is achieving."
Excited pupil Thando Mnisi (18) who got eight distinctions said: "I'm now on my way to study biomedical engineering at the University of Cape Town. I'm thankful to Mr Mbowane for being very supportive to us. He taught us step by step until we understood maths and science."
Vutlhari Nyalungu (18) who got distinctions in both maths and science is going to study IT at Wits University, while Ashley Soeke (18), who also got two distinctions in the same subjects, said he'll be embarking on actuarial science studies at the University of Johannesburg.
