(Gemma Ritchie/M&G)
Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga congratulated 2018’s matric top achievers top matriculants Thursday morning, praising how every pupil pupil has worked hard and been dedicated towards their studies.
The breakfast was hosted at Vodaworld in Midrand where Motshekga honoured the top 29 pupils, their parents and caregivers.
A focus of the morning was how pupils would take their opportunities and study further, with Motshekga telling them the country was looking to the top pupils to solve the country’s problems.
“You have proven to be the best and now we are expecting the best from you. We are looking to you to take us into the fourth industrial revolution. You have proven to be very capable and we are looking to you for solutions,” she said.
The pupils have also been tasked to work towards the fourth industrial revolution.
Denver Surty, the deputy minister of basic education, thanked Vodacom for supporting the department in working towards digitising education tools.
In December at the Global Citizen Festival, Vodacom pledged $500-million to fighting gender-based violence; enhancing sanitation in schools; and enhancing digital literacy for teachers, learners, youth, and in early childhood development centres.
On Thursday, Vodacom pledged a further R1.2-million towards the top performing schools, providing more laptops and smart boards. Five schools that have already been recognised for their performance will receive an upgrade to the equipment they already have, Takalani Netshitenzhe, the chief officer of corporate affairs of the Vodacom group announced on Thursday.
Vodacom bursary holder and top 2016 matric pupil Hlulani Malungani from Rivoni School for the Blind in Limpopo says the point of education is to change society.
Malungani is going to start his third year at University of Johannesburg where he is studying psychology. At the breakfast, he expressed gratitude for the bursary saying how it has met all of his needs.
Vodacom’s bursary programme has benefited 1 200 learners, supporting them throughout their education. The bursary is awarded to between 40 and 50 pupils a year.
Motshekga will release the national senior certificate exam results this evening.