eMalahleni & KwaMhlanga— The eMalahleni Local Municipality and Thembisile Hani Local Municipality recently celebrated top-performing matric learners at their Mayoral Academic Awards ceremonies, recognising academic excellence and reaffirming education as a key driver of social and economic development.
The eMalahleni ceremony took place on 30 January 2026 at Council Chamber, celebrating the Class of 2025’s top achievers. Outstanding learners from the Class of 2025 disadvantaged schools received special recognition. These awards included laptops, vouchers, bags and certificates, reflecting the municipality’s ongoing investment in education and youth development.
The ceremony’s highlight was Malatji Thabiso Chukudu from Leonard Ntshuntshe Secondary School, who emerged as the overall top learner with a 92% average. Growing up from Ezinambeni under challenging socio-economic conditions, Chukudu delivered an emotional message of gratitude.
“It feels great to be a top achiever of eMalahleni, especially coming from a very disadvantaged background. It was a tough journey, but here we are now. I still can’t believe it’s me. Respecting my parents has brought me this far,” he said.
Addressing the Class of 2026, Chukudu encouraged discipline and consistency. “Fix your attitude, study every day and always pray to God for wisdom,” he said.
Executive Mayor Vusi Nhlapho congratulated the achievers, describing them as beacons of hope for the municipality. “These learners must go out there, shine and encourage others. When they reach university level, they must continue to lead and join progressive student movements,” he said.
Acknowledging infrastructure challenges faced by some schools, the Mayor praised educators for producing strong results despite difficult conditions.
He added that the matric achievements reflected positively on the municipality as a whole and outlined plans to support struggling learners, curb dropout rates and redirect young people away from illicit activities through both financial and non-financial support.
Parents also shared emotional reflections of their children’s achievements. Bongani Mahlangu expressed pride in his son’s resilience following the loss of his mother. “Even though he lost his mother, he put all his effort into his books. I am grateful that the municipality hosted this event and I hope he will receive a bursary as he prepares to study at Wits University,” he said.
On the same day, Thembisile Hani Local Municipality hosted its Annual Mayoral Academic Awards in KwaMhlanga, recognising the Top 10 matric achievers, the best-performing circuit (Thembisile Hani East), and the Top 5 secondary schools. Awards included trophies, certificates, laptops and vouchers.
Top-performing secondary schools including Extension K and Zidobhele achieved a 96% pass rate, Musa recorded 98%, while Bophelong Secondary School and Sele and Mpumelelo Secondary Schools achieved a perfect 100% pass rate.
Among top learners, Angie Fortunate Ntuli from Phumzile Secondary School achieved seven distinctions and a 94% average. She plans to study a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting at the University of Cape Town and was also recognised as a top achiever among quintile 2 schools. Ntuli expressed gratitude for her mother’s support and reflected on her achievement.:
“I appreciate my mother for being my pillar of strength. She motivated me even during difficult times,” Ntuli said. “I am excited to study at UCT and ready to work hard to make my family and community proud.”
The municipality reported steady improvement in matric results over the past four years, with the pass rate rising from 67,7% in 2022 to 81,6% in 2025. Of the 5,262 learners who wrote matric in 2025, 4,121 passed.
Acting Municipal Manager Walter Mtshweni emphasised education as central to the municipality’s long-term vision. “The vision of building Thembisile Hani Local Municipality into a city starts with building education. With the results we are getting, we are moving in the right direction,” he said, urging graduates to return and contribute skills to their communities.
Executive Mayor Lesetja Dikgale reiterated the municipality’s commitment to positioning Thembisile Hani as a centre of academic excellence. “We have taken a decision to make Thembisile Hani a centre of academic excellence. We will use education as a catalyst to develop our people,” Dikgale said.
