Congratulations have been pouring in after Limpopo’s outstanding matric pass rate – 79.5%, a 7.4% improvement from 2022 – which earned the province the title of the most improved in the country.

On Friday, the province announced its matric results in Polokwane at a ceremony attended by dignitaries, including Zion Christian Church (Z.C.C) leader, His Grace the Right Reverend, Bishop Dr Barnabas Lekganyane. 

On Thursday, Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga congratulated the province during the announcement of the 2023 matric results in Johannesburg.

“The best-improved province is Limpopo, with an achievement of 79.5%, a 7.4% improvement from 2022,” said Motshekga.

Limpopo Education MEC Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya expressed her satisfaction with the improvements, particularly in Sekhukhune South, where significant challenges had been experienced.

“This is the hard work of our districts, circuits, schools, and learners themselves. What should resonate with each one of us as we announce these results is that there is no substitute for hard work and that a reward is always within reach where hard work is involved. There must be deliberate investment and concerted effort to pay attention to all grades from the Foundation Phase to the FET Phase. I declared 2023 a year of accelerated school infrastructure to restore the dignity of a black child. By all means, we have to keep moving. We have to keep improving. We have to keep performing. We have to keep excelling,” said Lerule-Ramakhanya.

Limpopo Premier Stanley Mathabatha commended Lerule-Ramakhanya, teachers, learners, and other stakeholders for their efforts in achieving such an impressive outcome.

“I am honoured to extend my warmest congratulations to the Limpopo Matric Class of 2023 for their exceptional achievement in obtaining a pass rate of 79.5%. This remarkable improvement from the 72.1% pass rate in 2022 is a testament to your hard work, dedication, and unwavering commitment to excellence. I am immensely proud of every one of you.

“I would also like to extend my gratitude to the Department of Education, especially the MEC, Ms. Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya, who, in such a short space of time, turned around the department to achieve what we have here today. Thank you, Head of Department, staff, teachers, teacher unions, parents, student formations, and the school governing bodies for your unwavering support and dedication,” said Mathabatha.

Despite Limpopo’s continued position among the lowest-performing provinces, Mathabatha expressed satisfaction that the province has progressed and is no longer ranked last.

It is now the third last above Mpumalanga and Northern Cape.

“It is with great pleasure to note that Limpopo has moved from the bottom of the province rankings to number seven nationally. This significant progress is a testament to the collective efforts of our learners, teachers, parents, and the entire education community. Your determination to succeed and your resilience in the face of challenges have propelled Limpopo to new heights.

“These outstanding results are in line with the goals set out in the Limpopo Development Plan, which aimed to achieve at least an 80% pass rate. While we have not yet reached this target, the Class of 2023 has shown us that it is within our reach. I have no doubt that the Class of 2024 will continue to build on this success and eventually achieve the 80% pass rate we aspire to,” Mathabatha said.

The African National Congress (ANC) in Limpopo also commended the Matric Class of 2023 for their exceptional accomplishments.

“As the ANC Limpopo, we commend the great achievements of the Limpopo Department of Education under ANC deployee MEC Mavhungu-Lerule Ramakhanya and her entire team for their tireless efforts in steering the ship in the right direction. The ANC government’s substantial investment in education is bearing fruit, as evident in the over 150 infrastructure projects initiated and completed over the past 5 years. These projects, including the establishment of new facilities and the eradication of pit latrines, exemplify our dedication to fostering a conducive learning environment.

“Moreover, the ANC’s pledge to uplift basic education is exemplified by the provision of nutrition to learners in quintiles 1 to 3 and the provision of scholar transport for those residing further away from their educational institutions,” said ANC provincial secretary Reuben Madadzhe.

Madadzhe urged individuals who were not successful to consider enrolling in the Department of Basic Education’s Second Chance Matric program.