VELABAHLEKE HIGH SCHOOL IN UMLAZI, DURBAN Achieves 100 % matric pass rate

When the 2022 National Senior Certificate results were released on Friday, 20 January 2023, among the top achieving schools in KwaZuluNatal was Velabahleke High School. A public school in Umlazi, Durban, led by Principal Mr Bheki Cedric Mhlongo, the school reached a milestone in achieving a 100% matric pass rate.

With their eye fixed firmly on this goal the Principal and the circuit manager, Mr Mzolo, shared the podium a couple of times during the 2022 school year and spoke about the changes the class of 2022 needed to adopt to secure the 100% pass rate and quality passes.

Though the class of 2022 had to navigate through a cocktail of challenges; the shared vision that was communicated by the principal, circuit manager, and teachers to the learners, served as a great reminder to help them focus on what was important, which is getting the 100% pass.

The school leadership offered up valuable advices throughout the year to both the students and the VBHS community on a whole - and brought about the record-breaking results. The Principal expressed his heartfelt congratulations to the students for putting up such an extraordinary performance throughout the year

and in their final exams. “May your lives be showered with great success and joy. Your hard work and determination paid off well. We’re extremely proud of you! May you keep achieving such remarkable success,” he stated.

The class of 2022 theme song was, “Khanyisa” by @Paige and Sdala B, they chose the song as a reassurance to the Principal, their educators and most importantly, themselves in saying that…

“Khanyisa ikhandlela, sizo sizo, phumelela, sizo, phumelela…” and they went all out and did just that.

VBHS took the opportunity to thank all the stakeholders it has worked with during the year for their contribution to the success. Mention was made of stakeholders such as, Mr. Michael Zulu from Durban University of Technology, Mangosuthu University of Technology and Golden Circle to name a few.

VBHS also commended #GoTutors, an organisation started by two of the school’s alumnus, Onjengawe Cebisa and Ndumiso Zondi, for awarding the Class of 2022 Mathematics and Accounting top achievers the opportunity of passing their matric exam with flying colours.

The school also congratulated Mr Mzolo, the circuit manager, saying, “The VBHS achievement is yours too to boast about Sir, it’s well deserved. “As VBHS, we thank you for all the support you’ve been giving us and our kids throughout the year, and we pray that the Lord continues to bless you with long life so you can see the fruit of your hard work.”

Top Achievers:

Two students who excelled were Olwethu Ndlovu, 17, and Nothando Koza, 18, both achieving eight distinctions.

Olwethu said her resilience paid off after having to circumvent the challenges of load shedding, floods and Covid-19 during her studies, and with this achievement she is going to pursue a career in the “maledominated” sector of neurosurgery at one of the leading SA Universities.

She is hoping to get offers from either UCT, Wits and UKZN. She also thanked her family for all their support throughout her high school journey.

“I didn’t want to spend time complaining about Covid-19, load shedding and other misfortunes. I had the goal to pass. At one stage I had to use two candles per night studying; but I reached my target through discipline.”

Nothando, who intends studying medicine, praised her teachers for “dedicating their lives to our success.” She said that she could not have achieved this feat without her teachers.

“Our teachers dedicated their lives to our success. We had classes from Monday to Sunday, every week, every month without fail. Our teachers would show up on Sundays leaving their families to be with us,” she said. I can never thank them enough,” she said.

Also, among the top notable achievements for the school were 6 pupils all managing to score 100% in Business Studies.

Message to the future matriculants…

With the new year set to full motion the Principal and educators at VBHS sent a clear message to the new students at VBHS - the Grade 8 Class of 2023.

Welcoming the Grade 8’s to their first year at high school, Mr Mhlongo wished the students every success and the school’s full support in achieving all their goals. “We can’t wait to see what you achieve and what you accomplish!” – he said.

“Every little thing that matters to you, matters to us,” he stated. “We as VBHS will do everything it takes to make your academic moments momentous. We are eagerly looking forward to watching you grow and accomplish new goals and accolades. We are here for you… because every one of you is a winner!”

“Now, it’s time to put on your new school clothes, and your happy look. It’s time to start a new year in high school. Open those books and learn something new,” he urged, before continuing:

" A successful future starts at school! The best adventure of your lives starts here!"