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The Class of 2023 will leave their schools as history makers, having achieved the highest pass rate since the dawn of our democracy. Whilst this is a grand celebration for the 82.9 percent of matriculants, those who may have missed the mark may feel discouraged.

There is however no need for despair as hope comes through government’s Second Chance Matric Programme. The programme offers matric learners who have not met the requirements for the National Senior Certificate (NSC) a second chance to achieve the results they desire.

Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Professor Blade Nzimande, has revealed that government has set aside a R3.8 billion initial capitalisation fund to support “missing middle” students.

The new Comprehensive Student Funding Model aims to support students including those currently not supported by the National Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) bursary and funding policy. 

Minister Nzimande recently addressed the media in Pretoria. He said the funding model is divided into two phases.

Operation Vulindlela

The Presidency and National Treasury recently released the third and fourth quarter progress report of Operation Vulindlela.

Operation Vulindlela was launched in 2020 and is an initiative between Treasury and the Presidency aimed at, among other things, accelerating the implementation of structural reforms and to support South Africa’s economic recovery.

SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP

When Grace Nthebe (28) had to return home in 2019 after completing her tertiary qualifications, she felt her life had hit a stumbling block as she had no job or a solid plan of what to do next.

Little did she know that she will soon become a beacon of hope for many young people of Lindley in the east of Free State through the work of her organization, Motjha Ithole.

Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, was beaming this morning as she congratulated learners who have produced excellent results in their National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams.

“I stand here with an immense sense of pride as we host our best learners. And for the year, we presented over 800 000 learners and more than 750 000 were full time learners and to be here, I’m sure it’s unbelievable. Indeed, you’re ahead of the pack in so many ways,” she told the country’s cream of the crop.

The Matric Class of 2023 have achieved a pass rate of 82.9% - the highest pass rate in the history of the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations.

More than 890 000 full-time and part-time candidates sat for the matric exams administered by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) at the end of 2023.

With a mission to assist small businesses adjust to the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), Thobile Dhlangamandhla has started a digital bookkeeping company called Bathobile’s Bookkeeping Services in Emalahleni, Mpumalanga.

A young woman from Mtwalume in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) is thriving in the plumbing industry as an entrepreneur after successfully completing an apprenticeship programme availed by uMzumbe Local Municipality in 2015.

The municipality offered  apprentices training for six months, and they had to find companies that will equip them with practical experience in order for them to obtain trade certificates after successfully completing the programme.

Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Zizi Kodwa recently handed over an outdoor gym and sporting clothes to a community of KwaMhlanga in Mpumalanga.

He said the outdoor gym, which is located in Royal Great Places, means that communities can exercise in a safe environment, and the gym equipment can be well looked after.