For the seventh year in a row, Sinenjongo High School in Milnerton has achieved a pass rate of more than 85% – a far cry from the appalling 27% pass rate more than 10 years ago.
Many of the pupils come from disadvantaged backgrounds and have fought against the odds to get to where they are.
The school’s top matric for 2017 is Avile Msongelo, of Rugby.
Avile got 83% for maths, 84% for computer applications technology and 89% for physical science. She is planning on studying actuarial science this year and has been accepted by three universities.
Avile’s best friend, Anesipho Gontshi, from Joe Slovo, turned 18 on the day she received her results. Six As and a B and an aggregate of 85% were the best birthday present ever.
Anesipho plans to study chemical engineering at UCT this year.
Also achieving an A aggregate was Mahle Ntloko, from Dunoon, who got four As and just missed a fifth by one percent.
With tears of joy running down her face, she said she had been having nightmares about the results.
“I am just so relieved. It has been very hard but really worth it,”she said.
Sinenjongo High School principal Khuleswa Nopote said the Grade 12A class of 2017 had been the best class ever and the top five pupils were all girls.
“They worked extremely hard, often staying at school until 9pm or so studying and urging each other on. Such determination and hard work will get them far in life. We are very proud of them.”
For Samkelisiwe Kumla, who had a baby in June last year, getting a bachelor’s pass was no easy achievement.
“I would not have been able to do it without the support of my mother, my teachers and friends. They have all stood by me and encouraged me not to give up. I am just so happy,” she said.
Samekelisiwe plans to study nursing at UWC this year.