The top 10 performing learners from schools in the eThekwini District as well as the top 10 learners from disadvantaged schools in the region were recognised at the 2018 Mayoral Matric Awards ceremony held today, 26 January.

The 25 schools in the eThekwini District, which comprises of the Pinetown and uMlazi districts that achieved a 100 percent matric pass rate, were also recognised at the event held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre.

Schools that saw an increase in their pass rate of 30 percent and higher were also honoured at the event which is in its 18th year.

There was good news for the top performing learners who will each receive a laptop courtesy of the Mayor's Parlour and sponsors.

Some of the learners were also awarded bursaries to further their studies.

Delivering the keynote address at the awards ceremony, eThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede said the purpose of the event was to celebrate top achievers from the City.

"The event is held to encourage schools, teachers and learners to do better every year. We do this based on the understanding that education is the main key to success."

Mayor Gumede said while education is not a competency of local government, as councillors, they understand the importance of education in developing communities.

"This is the reason we have strong working relations with the department of education led by MEC Khethomthandayo Dlungwana. We want to see real improvements in our schools and we believe we can do so by working together. We need an educated nation and liberated youth."

She again congratulated the achievers for making the City proud saying: "If you need assistance from the City, our doors are open."

City Manager Sipho Nzuzu delivered the welcome address and saluted the exemplary learners.

"We salute you on your momentous achievement and celebrate with you. This matric awards ceremony, which was started 18 years ago, is to honour deserving learners from the City who have excelled in their National Senior Certificate examinations."

He encouraged learners to continue to work hard.

"It is important to recognise the hard work principals and the top performing learners have put in to achieve the outstanding results. Anything of worth is not easy to achieve and sacrifices have to be made. But as you sit here today you are testament to where hard work takes you."

He also briefly outlined some of the learnership and youth programmes offered by the City and urged youth to grab these opportunities.

Lungile Dolo from Nhlanhlayethu Secondary School in Inanda was placed third overall in the top 10 pupils from disadvantaged schools.

The student, who will be studying actuarial science at the University of Cape Town, was honoured to attend the event.

"I feel very special being invited here and having the opportunity to meet the Mayor. I have received a bursary to further my studies and I am excited to be doing something I love. I have loved mathematics since I was first introduced to it," she said.

Lindokuhle Ngcobo, who will be the first person in his family to attend university, will be studying law at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

The former Umtapho High School learner was placed ninth in the top 10 learners from disadvantaged schools. He also received a bursary to further his students.

"I am passionate about law and can't wait to begin my studies. I am pleased to be at the event and being here shows that hard work does pay off," he added.

Mayor Gumede thanked the sponsors who worked with the City to award laptops to all the top performing learners in both categories as well as bursaries to a number of these learners.

The sponsors include Nedbank, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, AfriSam and Coca Cola Beverages South Africa.

ENDS

Issued by eThekwini Municipality's Head of Communications, Tozi Mthethwa.