In a powerful display of community support, the Okhahlamba Local Municipality Youth Office organised a special prayer session today for matriculants on the brink of their life-changing final examinations. This event, held just 19 days before the commencement of the crucial matric finals on 21 October, underscores the profound significance these exams hold for the future of our young scholars.

The gathering brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including religious leaders, local government officials, educators, and the matriculants themselves. Pastor Maphalala and Bishop Gabela led the prayers, infusing the session with spiritual guidance and encouragement. His Worship, the Mayor, Cllr. V.R Mlotshwa, Deputy Mayor, Cllr. N.E. Tshabalala, and Speaker, Cllr. S.Z Khumalo highlighted the community’s united front in supporting these young minds during this critical juncture in their academic journey.

The matric final examinations represent a watershed moment in the lives of these students, serving as a gateway to their future aspirations and careers. Recognising the weight of this occasion, principals and teachers from various schools across the municipality attended the event, some offering words of motivation and support to the nervous yet determined matriculants.

As these young learners stand on the precipice of this monumental challenge, the Okhahlamba Local Municipality extends its heartfelt wishes for success to all matriculants. We acknowledge the hard work, dedication, and resilience that have brought them to this point, and we have full confidence in their ability to excel.

To our dear matriculants: As you enter the examination halls, know that your community stands behind you, cheering you on. May you approach these finals with confidence, clarity of mind, and the determination to showcase your best efforts. Remember, these exams are not just a test of knowledge, but an opportunity to open doors to your dreams.

We wish you strength, focus, and brilliance throughout this exam season. Your success is our success, and we eagerly await the bright futures that await you beyond these final papers. Good luck, and may you emerge victorious in this significant milestone of your educational journey!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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Today Okhahlamba Local Municipality hosted its annual Matric Excellence Awards ceremony which was led by His Worship, Cllr. V.R Mlotshwa. The awards ceremony commemorated the top 30 highest academic achievers across the municipality.

In his keynote address Cllr. Mlotshwa reminded the learners that “The path to achieving success is always undergoing development” and encouraged them to always remember their roots.

The Bergville Circuit Manager Cluster outperformed Estcourt CMC and Mnambithi CMC. The Bergville CMC secured an 88,9% pass rate followed by Estcourt CMC (81.7%) and Mnambithi CMC (78.4%). The Emangwaneni Circuit secured a 91.2% pass rate with its Class of 2023 securing 436 bachelor passes, 250 diploma passes, 127 higher certificate passes and one national senior certificate pass. The top-performing schools in the Bergville CMC were Amazizi High School, Qhozo High School, Maqoqa High School and Bambazi High School. All of these schools secured a 100% pass rate.

The top five learners in the Bergville CMC were: Bhekithemba Sthembiso Nduduso Xaba (Amaphisi High School), Sbongakonke Alwande Khumalo (Amangwane High School), Alwande Zamakhuze Bulelani Zikalala (Ngcongcosi High School),  Edwin Ntokozo Ngubeni (Ubulinga High School), and Asanda Nobuhle Zikode (Ukhahlamba High School).

The event was attended by councillors, learners, parents, teachers, principals, dignitaries from the Department of Education and municipal officials.

We would like to congratulate the Class of 2023, the CMC and all the schools under it, the student governing bodies and everyone who contributed to this success on their remarkable achievement.