A KwaZulu-Natal inmate who bagged six distinctions in matric last year says incarceration offered him a ray of hope to turn his life around.
Nhlakanipho Mathaba, 26, from KwaMashu, was arrested for carjacking seven years ago.
He received top honours in accounting, business studies, life orientation, Zulu, tourism and English.
He was among successful candidates from the province's prisons — Usethubeni in Westville, Qalakabusha, in Empangeni, Ekuseni in Majuba and Sicebengolwazi in Estcourt. The latter had its first matriculants.
Usethubeni recently received an award from justice minister Ronald Lamola for maintaining a 100% pass rate for seven consecutive years. It also made history because all its pupils were awarded bachelor passes.
Mathaba, who is looking forward to his 2027 release, attributed his success to dedicated study, prayer and educators’ support.
He is considering studying law or teaching through Unisa and has secured funding from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
Provincial prisons commissioner Mnikelwa Nxele said 53 pupils in KZN registered to write matric last year, an increase from 23 in 2021.
Only one was unsuccessful, bringing the overall pass rate to 98%.
“With the kind of educators and support system we have, I am confident we will maintain the overall pass rate this year,” said Nxele.
Education MEC Mbali Frazer hailed the pupils’ achievements, adding that the government was committed to helping them turn their lives around.
"We want to support you so you don’t end up here again. Education will be key for you to realise that goal,” she said, hailing the work by educators at the facilities.
"Educators in correctional centres are among the most passionate. They are always encouraging inmates and ensure they see them as humans," said Frazer.
Special mention was made of Nombuyiselo Gwiji’s achievements. At 44, she received a masters in education from the University of the Free State.
Gwiji, who is serving a life sentence, said juggling her studies while in prison was no mean feat but that her ability to do so had helped her. She plans to pursue a PhD degree.
"Listening to the officials and educators in prison has counted in my favour," she said.
Usethubeni school principal Nelly Mkhize said she was thrilled with her pupils' results, saying they would go a long way in changing their lives.
"I am happy because these learners have heeded our call to be educated. I know it's not easy to choose school while in prison, as gangsterism is common."
She also hopes her school's success will be replicated in correctional schools across the province. Among the feathers in its cap is that all pupils who wrote business studies bagged distinctions.
"We all need to win," said Mkhize, adding that the results demonstrated team work and would motivate educators.
Walter Dludla, who teaches business studies at the school, said he was over the moon.
"Out of all the 10 learners who wrote the subject, the lowest mark was 83%. The highest achiever got 100%" said the subject's "proud ambassador".
"I always marketed this subject very well. Most of them [learners] warmed up to this and sailed through it," said Dludla.
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