On Thursday, 16 January, Sasol hosted the 25th Annual Grade 12 Merit Awards ceremony at Sasol Secunda Recreation Club, in association with their education flagship project Osizweni Science Centre, to honour those matriculants that achieved outstanding results in 2019.
The top performing Grade 12 learners of three municipalities were invited, Govan Mbeki, Lekwa and Dipaleseng. Learners with three to nine distinctions, top performing teachers, best improved schools and top learners from Quintile 1 – 4 were all awarded and congratulated. These learners were also praised for their results in Mathematics and Science. The Gert Sibande District, part of the Standerton sub-region, obtained 79,3% – an improvement from 77,5% in 2018.
The main hall at the Sasol Secunda Recreation Club was decorated impeccably: each table was named after an element on the periodic table, black tablecloths covered the tables and white chair covers.
Instead of flowers in the middle of the table there was a stand with triangles that fit in perfectly with the academic theme of the night.
The co-hosts for the evening were Sasol Secunda’s Rethabile Ndjibu and Govan Mbekhi Municipalities’ Bheki Kubheka. The two co-hosts’ fun and relaxed chemistry was palpable and every few minutes they had the crowd in stitches laughing. 97 learners received Merit Award certificates and cash prizes. Learners who obtained more than three distinctions received R1 000 for each distinction!
The students, teachers and parents were also graced with the presence of the MEC for Education Mpumalanga, Mr Bonakele Majuba, Executive Mayor Thandi Ngxonono, Traditional Leaders and Sasol’s top management.
Mr Simon Baloyi, Vice President, Secunda Chemicals Operations, said: “Sasol would like to congratulate all the award-winners for their outstanding performance and achievements. Sasol is proud of the role that it plays in improving the quality of education and building capacity of the education sector in our host regions. Our focus on STEM subjects allows us to positively contribute to the development of the skills required to meet the demands of the growing economy and increase the economic participation of people in our communities.”
Well done to all! – Ané Prinsloo
