Polokwane - They spent almost a year in class without textbooks when they were in Grade 10, but two years later, Limpopo’s matric pupils of 2014 have outdone themselves.
Of the 72 990 full-time candidates who wrote last year’s final matric exams, 53 179 of them passed – a 72.9 percent pass rate, up from 71.8 percent in 2013.
The number of pupils eligible for university entrance is 16 325.
Phuti Moloto, from Pax High, Pfano Nemmukumbi, from Patrick Ramaano Secondary, and Sherpard Matsebe, from Mahwetse Secondary, were the only pupils in the province who got 100 percent for accounting.
Eleven pupils got 100 percent in mathematics and five others obtained 100 percent in physical sciences. Five achieved 100 percent in both mathematics and physical sciences.
Khomotjo Ramokolo, from Ramogabudi Secondary in Mokopane, and Kagiso Leboka, from Dendron High in Bochum, each obtained 100 percent in accounting, mathematics and physical sciences.
But the overall star achievers were Julia Alsemgeest, 18, and Johan Kruger, 18, from Hoërskool Pietersburg in Polokwane, who each got a total of 1 711 marks.
Next, with a difference of four marks, was Rearabilwe Mmatli, from Pax High.
Julia said she would like to study actuarial science at the University of Cape Town, while Johan said he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps and study medicine at the University of Pretoria.
Nombasa Zitha, a partially sighted pupil from Rivoni School for the Blind in Elim, was announced the best overall performer from special schools.
Nombasa said she would like to study economics at Turfloop (University of Limpopo).
Meanwhile, three schools in the province had a zero percent pass rate – Seroletshidi Secondary School, in the Waterberg district, and Makidi Secondary and Sethula Secondary, both in Sekhukhune.
The Star