Randburg: Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has commended the 2024 matric top achievers for their resilience and determination. Gwarube, together with mobile network provider MTN, hosted a Ministerial Breakfast in honor of 39 matric top achievers on Monday. The event, held in Randburg, Johannesburg, comes ahead of the official announcement of the 2024 matric results later on Monday.
According to South African Government News Agency, congratulating the country’s top achievers, Gwarube said the learners demonstrated that challenges are not roadblocks, but stepping stones to greatness. Despite punishing poverty levels, with some learners coming from child-headed households, Gwarube said the learners are thriving and putting their future first.
Many of the learners do not come from affluent households, and Gwarube thanked them for enduring the hard times, emphasizing that it has been worth it. She encouraged the learners to view the future as an exciting opportunity, shaped by their work ethic and hard work, rather than a daunting task.
The Minister also noted that the official announcement of the 2024 matric results will see two extraordinary learners being honored with a special ministerial award for overcoming immense adversity to achieve excellent results in the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations. She highlighted that these learners have used their challenges as fuel to strive for better and change their lives.
This year, the department has adopted the South African national flower, the protea, as the theme for the 2024 matric results. The protea symbolizes enduring strength, thriving in adversity with its woody seeds and roots designed to survive even the worst of wildfires. Gwarube explained that the seeds of the protea nourish the soil after wildfires, ensuring the flower grows and becomes better than before.
MTN Chief Risk Officer Bradley Swanepoel extended his heartfelt congratulations to the Class of 2024. The matric results will be announced at 6pm.