South Africa has “for the first time in the history of our democratic country,” achieved a national matric pass rate of 81.3 percent.
A visibly elated Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga announced the results of the 2019 matric examinations at Vodaworld in Midrand Tuesday evening, which saw all nine Education MEC’s in attendance.
GaUteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi
Limpopo Education MEC Polly Boshielo
North West MEC Mmaphefo Matsemela
DBE DG Mathanzima Mweli
Eastern Cape Education MEC Fundile David Gade
Northern Cape Education MEC Mac Jack
Mpumalanga Education MEC Bonakele Majuba
KZN Education MEC Kwazi Mshengu
Free State Education MEC TP Makgoe
Western Cape Education MEC Debbie Schäfer
Vodacom ME Public Policy and Engagement Themba Kinana
This article was made possible by the generous support of Vodacom SA.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has hailed the 81,3% 2019 matric pass rate, saying its a “clear signal that government’s substantial investment in education, in pupil and teacher support and in educational infrastructure is yielding results.”
The results, described as a “triumph” by the President, are the highest since the advent of democracy in 1994, and the first time the combined matric pass rate has breached the 80% threshold.
“South Africans can be proud that education, like most aspects of our nation’s development, is on an upward trajectory which should inspire all of us to work together to accelerate and maintain excellence,” Ramaphosa said.
Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga announced Tuesday evening, that 787 717 candidates sat for the 2019 National Senior Certificate Examinations countrywide.
The 2019 pass rate represents a 3,1% improvement from 2018 when the national pass rate stood at 78,2%.
The Eastern Cape recorded the highest improvement in the matric pass rate, and not one of the country’s 75 districts performed below 60%.
“These are stellar achievements,” said President Ramaphosa.
Announcing the results at Vodaworld in Midrand, Motshekga pointed to the increase in specialized schools offering subjects like agricultural studies and maritime studies as well as the introduction of subjects such as entrepreneurship into the national curriculum.
“These are critical subjects that will enable us to meet the needs of our economy and prepare our young people for the workplace of the future: in this regard the Class of 2019 are pioneers,” Ramaphosa said.
“To the Class of 2019, you have done yourselves proud and returned the investment made in you by your families, teachers, communities and mentors.”
#MatricResults2019 The top achieving learner for 2019, Madelein Dippenaar from the Western Cape. She says she knew she’d done well in her exams, but didn’t expect that call informing her just how well she’d actually done. pic.twitter.com/yxf2hb7euA
The President also had consoling words for those candidates who did not perform well.
“Do not be discouraged, but courageously persevere towards your goals,” Ramaphosa said; adding that government would continue to provide support to learners to complete their education as well as to address weaknesses in the system.
The President urged learners across all grades to embrace learning as a lifelong and pleasurable pursuit that not only adds economic value and enhances employability, but which also “enhances people’s outlook on life and their contribution to society beyond the world of work.”
This article was made possible by the generous support of Vodacom SA.
South Africa has “for the first time in the history of our democratic country,” achieved a national matric pass rate of 81.3 percent, a beaming Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga announced in Midrand Tuesday evening.
The figure is up from the 78.2% pass rate recorded in 2018.
Motshekga said with more than 90% of SA pupils attending public schools, it is commendable that the “glass ceiling” that is an 80% matric pass rate has been shattered.
The Class of 2019 produced 156 884 distinctions, Motshekga announced.
@DBE_SA Minister Mrs Angie Motshekga is pleased to announce that national pass rate at 81.3%. A first for our democracy. Halala Class of 2019 Halala! #NSC19#MatricResults#MatricResults2019
A breakdown of the provinces, in order of achievement rates showed that Free State province has reclaimed its title in the 2019 National Senior Certificate examinations with last years rate in brackets: Free State 88.4% – (2018 87.5%) Gauteng 87.2% –  ( 2018 87.9%) North West 86.8% – (2018 81.1%) Western 82.3% – (2018 81.5%) KZN 81.3% – (2018 76.2%) Mpumalanga 80.3% –(2018 80.4%) Eastern Cape 76.5 – (2018 70.6%) Northern Cape 76.5% – (2018 73.3%) Limpopo 73.2% – (2018 69.4%)
The minister said 65% of learners passed with diplomas and bachelor passes and will be eligible for admission to universities. Some15,7% achieved higher certificates that enable entry into TVET colleges.
The minister said 96% of parents send children to public schools which showed that parents “have confidence” in the public schooling system, but, added that “we have to ramp up ECD, the 3-stream curriculum and assessment regime.”
But, Motshekga said, in the future, result announcements will not only focus on the overall percentages, but will look at a range of issues including a province’s participation in maths and science, provincial distinction levels, and the level of support given to learners.
#MatricReaults19 The province with the highest number of Batchelor passes is Gauteng.
Western Cape has the highest number of distinctions.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is reportedly pleased with the outcome of the 2019 matric results after being briefed by Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga.
In line with protocol, the minister briefs the president on the outcome of the results before releasing the results to the public.
Inside Education understands from an insider that Ramaphosa “was very happy” with the results following the briefing by Motshekga who is expected to release the matric results to the public at Vodaworld in Midrand on Tuesday evening.
Education Minister Angie Motshekga. Matric Results 2019
The minister hosted a breakfast meeting of the 30 best performing matriculants at the same venue Tuesday morning.
#Umalusi said what should be "celebrated" was the increase in the number of subject marks that were left unchanged… an indication that the quality of subjects was improving. pic.twitter.com/29YgpcREFd
Umalusi, the Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training, has approved the release of the 2019 national examinations results.
The authority said it had successfully conducted the quality assurance of the management and administration of exit point examinations.
It said its quality assurance process focused on aspects of its mandate which include the external moderation of question papers for all subjects, learning areas, instructional offerings across all qualifications and assessment bodies among others.
Umalusi said it “is satisfied that apart from the administrative errors noted during the writing of the examinations, there were no systemic irregularities reported that may have compromised the overall integrity and credibility of the November 2019 NSC examination.”
This article was made possible by the generous support of Vodacom SA.
The sight of the graves of his family members dotted around the homestead prompted Eastern Cape learner Lomso Dumezweni to enquire about the cause of their deaths.
On being told that many of them had died from chronic illnesses he resolved he was going to study medicine to ensure people in his village didn’t die unnecessarily from illnesses that could be treated.
This week the matriculant from Nyanga Secondary School in Ncobo, Eastern Cape was among the top 30 matric achievers invited by Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga to the announcement of the national matric results at Vodaworld, Midrand in Gauteng.
Top 30 Matrics 2019
Motshekga said the learners who came from public schools around the country were the pride of the nation who had excelled from 700Â 000 matric pupils who sat for the national exam in 2019.
The department of basic education said a total of 790 405 candidates sat for 147 question papers in 7 416 examination centres nationwide last year.
Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga. Matric Results 2019
She said the country should not be afraid of the Fourth Industrial Revolution as this crop of learners was going to carry the country through the upcoming revolution through the skills they will acquire in higher education.
Dumezweni was still in bed at his home in Sheshegu, Dutywa when the call inviting him to the ceremony came through.
After his father broke the good news to him he rushed out into the street to celebrate, edging him closer to his dream of being a doctor.
He is now going to study medicine at the University of the Western Cape, far away from the tough conditions of his village.
He was so determined to pass matric with flying colours that he only visited his home village three times during the entire academic year, opting to stay at the school hostel 75km away to put in extra work.
The Eastern Cape is one of the poorest provinces in the country, dogged by a lack of resources in schools.
Dumezweni and his colleagues were not left untouched by this dire lack of resources, having to make do with a science laboratory with barely any chemicals or tools to conduct experiments.
But this did not deter him. He used his cellular phone to download experiments from the Internet. Dumezweni is worried that his lack of access to computers may be a serious challenge in his first year of university study.
“That is a challenge many rural learners face. We have very little access to computers and I have heard that in varsity they use computers every day. But I am ready for the challenge,” he said.
#MatricResults2019 Fortune Khoza from Acorn-oaks Comprehensive High School in Mpumalanga. He says he’s proud to have done so well despite lacking much needed family support. pic.twitter.com/thCbgeEqdw
In KwaZulu-Natal Bhekamandaba Makhonza’s matric year was severely disrupted by the hospitalisation of his mother which affected his concentration. “I thought we were going to lose her. The situation at home wasn’t great. I still don’t know how I did it,” said Makhonza.
But he was not about to let this factor stand in the way of his dream to study actuarial science. His school was also dogged by a lack of resources which frustrated his efforts to master scientific experiments.
But help came through his teacher who upon recognising his burning desire to succeed and dire family circumstances, gave Makhonza his old, broken laptop. Makhonza got the old machine fixed and used it to download experiments and research information critical to his studies.
In addition, he revised by tackling past matric papers. His school Edendale Technical High School near Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal is also plagued by a lack of resources.
But he is now on top of the world after being among the top matric performers nationally. He is planning to study actuarial science. “My passion is in mathematics,” he said.
Blessing Tsakane Chauke from Dendron Secondary School in Mogwadi, Limpopo, also overcame the odds of studying in a rural school to make the cut.
Motshekga praised the school for always having a learner in the top matriculants through the years despite their location in a rural area.
Chauke said discipline and working hard throughout the year prepared her for the tough end of year exams. She is going to study chemical engineering “to broaden my skills and knowledge to become a professional engineer.”
#Matricresults2019 Phillip Mmusi from Hazyview Comprehensive School in Mpumalanga says he’s still surprised to have been recognised as one of the top achievers. He says if he could ask the minister for anything, it would be better resources for his school. pic.twitter.com/sb1WwFqvzH
Greta Catharina Kupershoek from- Hoërskool Middelburg in the coal mining town of Mpumalanga said she has now set her sights on studying actuarial science after acing her matric. She said her secret to success was balancing her very active life as prefect and sports fanatic with her studies.
Mukona Martin Ranzida said being a learner at Mbilwi Secondary School in Sibasa, Limpopo, encouraged him to work hard because he didn’t want to be one to dent the school’s reputation as a national top performer.
“Our teachers also pushed us to work hard. We went to school on Saturdays and during holidays and that really helped,” he said.
This article was made possible by the generous support of Vodacom SA.
Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has lauded 30 top achievers out of 700 000 learners who sat for the national senior certificate exams last year.
Speaking at a breakfast held in Midrand, Motshekga praised the learners as “the pride of the nation” and said that despite challenges facing education such as poor infrastructure, the 30 learners managed to beat the odds and pass their exams with flying colours.
“Despite serious challenges such as infrastructure, you managed to climb Kilimanjaro and achieve the best. You are now at the peak of it all. For that we are grateful,” said Motshekga.
“We are putting our hopes in you. We are watching you with very hawkish eyes. You are our national asset. We are celebrating you as the country’s asset. We don’t have to panic or be intimidated by the Fourth Industrial Revolution because in you we have brilliant and dedicated kids.”
2020/01/06 Basic Education Minister Angie Motshega. Matric Results 2019
Motshekga said she was extremely of the overall matric exams, especially because many schools servicing the poor came to the party and performed extremely well than in the past years.
Themba Kinana, managing executive of public, policy and engagement, thanked the department of basic education for its commitment to the betterment of education in South Africa and Africa as a whole.
“On behalf of Vodacom CEO Shameel Joosub, we would like to thank the department for believing in the partnership with Vodacom. We have traversed this road together in ensuring that we bring the results we are talking about today. We also thank the parents, children and all the MECS for their hard work,” said Kinana.
“Vodacom believes that SA is in the success path. We are committing to contribute to the betterment of the education system in SA in order to build an African child. The education of SA contributes to the growth of the education system in Africa.”
This article was made possible by the generous support of Vodacom SA.
Vodacom is committed to enhancing learning outcomes in South Africa as well other African countries in which it has a presence.
Themba Kinana, Managing Executive for Public Policy and Engagement, told a ministerial breakfast where the 30 high achievers of the class of 2019 were recognized, that the company, as a matter of policy, wants to plough back into the communities and enhance the educations systems in countries where they are operating.
“As Africans, we must ensure that every African child is equipped to meet the challenges of the economies of the future.”
When the call came to say she was one of the Class of 2019 top achievers, Northern Cape learner Tlotlo Lekgoba from Boitiredi technical and Commercial School, said she broke down in tears. She's attending breakfast with Minister Motshekga #MatricResults2019pic.twitter.com/gOYjKU9God
He pointed to the education centres, “some 3000 schools” initiated by Vodacom across South Africa as but one example of how the company, in partnership with the Department of Basic Education (DBE), is helping to shape and improve education systems in the country.
“Through these centres, we are helping to develop the skills of learners and communities to be ready to for the Fourth industrial Revolution (4IR).”
Kinana said Vodacom has been in partnership with the DBE for ten years to build a sustainable education system in South Africa, emphasising a strong focus is on rural areas.
He added that the company is also training some 250000 teachers to ensure they are “responsive to the ICT requirements of South Africa.”
This article was made possible by the generous support of Vodacom SA.
Vodacom’s managing executive for Brand Marketing and Communications, told a ministerial breakfast honouring 30 high achievers of the class of 2019 that hard work beats talent and appealed to them to remain humble.
Abey Mokgwatsane emphasised that service is key, “service to the community and to the broader society.”
He told learners that it is a daunting task ahead, but implored them not to not lose hope and to remain positive despite the challenging, contemporary times.
His advice to the learners was to “identify issues and causes that you believe in and believe you can make a difference.”
Mokgwatsane said the 2019 matric high achievers must “inspire and lead” to ensure SA succeeds.
“Find and identify your purpose… Never stop learning, reading and being curious. Move beyond social media as a source of information and knowledge,” he said.
Mokgwatsane said Vodacom is committed to help move society forward, adding that the company has pioneered a “multifaceted education ecosystem model that looks at the interdependencies and interrelationships of ECDs, high schools and incorporates teacher training, parents and local communities to significantly transform our education system.”
These include a school of excellence model which supports 12 schools across the country selected from the 3000 schools that Vodacom has supported with Information Communication Technologies (ICT) since 2008.
Vodacom’s managing executive for Brand Marketing and Communications, ended by telling the high achievers that “hard work beats talent.”
This article was made possible by the generous support of Vodacom SA.
The Independent Examinations Board (IEB) has announced that 98.82% of pupils passed the 201 National Senior Certificate examinations.
CEO Anne Oberholzer said in a statement that the IEB pass rate decreased from 98.92% from the previous year.
Some 11 818 full-time pupils and 779 part-time pupils sat for the exams in October and November.
Oberholzer said 89.51% qualified for entry to study a degree, while 7.91% qualified for entry to study a diploma and 1.4% for studying at the Higher Certificate level.
“Umalusi has monitored all aspects of the 2019 examination process and has declared the results to be fair and valid,” she added.
The closing date to apply for re-marking is January 13. Results from re-marking will be released on February 6.
Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga is expected to announce the national matric pass rate Tuesday evening.
The Department of Basic Education will release the National Senior Certificate matric exam results on Wednesday.
