The Cape’s top schools and pupils were recognised on Thursday for their excellence when the National Senior Certificate (NSC) awards were held at the Premier’s larney Leeuwenhof Estate.
Education MEC Debbie Schäfer also awarded three special ministerial awards to pupils who defied the odds.
The first winner was Ridah Khan, 18, from Proteus High School in Atlantis, who was so determined not to join a gang and finish school, that he wrote his NSC exams at the local police station.
“During Ramadaan last year while writing June exams, my friends and I were attacked by about 10 guys,” he tells the Daily Voice.
“They accused us of being gangsters because we lived in their rivals’ territory.
“They wanted to rob me of my watch and cap, they didn’t get it right so we were assaulted and I got a brick to the head rendering me unconscious,” Ridah says.
TOP LADY: Madelein Dippenaar. Picture: ARMAND HOUGH/ANA
He says despite the injury, he went back to school as he still had to write some subjects.
“After the June holidays, my friend was stabbed and I realised these guys were not going to stop,” he says.
“I told everyone I’m not going to allow these guys to stand in the way of my dreams and career, so I wrote exams at the police station because it was safe there.”
The teen says he worked very hard and knew he would be successful.
“When I got my results, I knew I was going to pass. I got a Bachelor’s pass and I now hope to study IT (information technology) at CPUT,” he adds.
Schäfer applauded Ridah for his bravery: “Many people, twice his age, would have given up, but not him.
“Teachers at his school say it is his determination, believing in his capabilities, remaining hopeful and guts, that helped him to complete his final matric examination, and qualified with a Bachelor’s pass.”
The Western Cape has produced the top three matriculants in the country, while also achieving the highest percentage of distinctions in the country.
Special recognition was given to top pupil, Madelein Dippenaar from Hoërskool Gimnasium in Paarl, as well as Gary Allen from Rondebosch Boys High School and Anuoluwa Makinde from Milnerton High School.
TOP LADY: Madelein Dippenaar. Picture: ARMAND HOUGH/ANA
Schäfer says she is disappointed that the Western Cape dropped in overall rankings, despite the Cape’s pass rate increasing from 81.5% last year to 82.3%.
The province slipped from 3rd to 4th place in the national table while the bachelor pass rate is 46.3%, “the highest ever and an increase from 42.3% last year.”
“Sixty-nine schools (15.4%) achieved a 100% pass rate - of these, 27 have had a 100% pass rate for at least the past five years,” the MEC added.
robin.francke@inl.co.za