Holding overnight cram sessions to prepare for matric exams bore fruit for Sikhethuxolo High School matriculants in Hammarsdale, west of Durban, as the school achieved a 94.5% matric pass rate.
This was a big improvement from the previous year's 61.9% pass rate. Many have attributed the increase to acting school principal Busani Khomo, who was killed late last year in an apparent hit.
Last year TimesLIVE reported on Sikhethuxolo learners who were sleeping in classrooms in an attempt to ace the exams.
On Tuesday there was much jubilation at the school as 190 matriculants of the class of 2024 celebrated their results, saying they had benefited from extra classes, tuition and cramming sessions.
Khomo was gunned down on his way from school allegedly by two men who fled on foot. He was a front-runner for the principal's job after acting in the position for almost six years.
Philasande Mkhize, 18, who obtained a bachelor pass, said: “We would not have achieved these results without the contribution and dedication of Sir Khomo. He was our pillar and the school will never be the same without him.”
Mkhize praised the school's overnight cram sessions, saying they contributed to their success.
She urged this year's matric pupils to participate in these sessions to improve their results.
She is planning to study law at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Siyamthanda Cebekhulu, 18, who also received a bachelor pass, paid tribute to Khomo for the school's outstanding performance.
“Principal Khomo encouraged us to do our best and we owe these results to him. We hope he is happy where he is with what the school achieved,” said Cebekhulu.
Cebekhulu, who is planning to study law at the University of Johannesburg, said overnight studying helped many learners to excel in their exams.
Local businessman Graham Sabela, who is a Sikhethuxolo alumni, said credit should be given to Khomo for the school's outstanding performance.
“Khomo worked hard for these results and all the accolades should be given to him,” said Sabela.
Another Sikhethuxolo alumni, Siyabonga Nxumalo, now a lecturer at UKZN, said this is the first time the school has received a high matric pass rate.
“All these years the school was not doing well when it comes to the matric pass rate, but last year it had an outstanding performance and we hope the school will not drop the ball but improve on these results,” said Nxumalo.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Col Robert Netshiunda said no-one has been arrested for Khomo's murder.
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