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GEORGE NEWS & VIDEO - The top matric learners from across the Southern Cape and Karoo were honoured at the third annual Dux Awards presented by Eden FM, the Western Cape Education Department and Pine Lodge in George on Saturday 13 January.
Some recipients at this event had already been awarded by Premier Helen Zille for being among the top 50 learners in the Western Cape - Lize-Mari Marais from Langenhoven High school in Riversdale, and Emma Nel and Tiaan Swart from Outeniqua High School.
Zille also acknowledged Christelle Herbst from York High for being best in computer applied technology in the province. (Read article on page 20.)
At the function in George, special acknowledgement certificates were awarded to each of the dux learners from the 46 high schools in the Eden Karoo region as well as to each of the schools.
Marais walked away with the Eden FM floating trophy for the top achiever in the region.
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Learners that succeeded in passing their National Senior Certificate finals against all odds were also acknowledged.
Each matriculant received a standing ovation to honour their tenacity and success despite their individual circumstances and difficulties.
Lize-Mari Marais holds the EDENfm floating trophy for the top achiever in the Eden Karoo region. From left are Roger Jacobs (WCED), Dr Bridgette Johnson (sponsor), Johnny Carolus (PPC - sponsor), Lize-Mari Marais, Morné Pietersen (station manager Eden FM) and Prof Quinton Johnson (sponsor).
Congratulating the top achievers, Zille said that although the Western Cape was only in third position in the provincial pass rate, the province retained 64,3% learners in its schools between Grade 10 and the final matric exam.
"This is 12,8 percentage points higher than the next province‚ Gauteng‚ and 22 percentage points higher than the Free State‚ which had the lowest retention rate in the country‚" she said.
The matriculants from George who were honoured are, front from left: Wendolene Boesak (Parkdene High), Siyabonga James and Siyasanga James of Imizamo Yethu Secondary and Kelly-Ann De Koker (George High), Back: Jade Rossouw and Coleen Mathabata from Parkdene High, Zintle Hoco (PW Botha College), Emma Nel (Outeniqua High), Christelle Herbst (York High), Zindile Mkohlo (Imizamo Yethu Secondary), Nikita Willemse (George High) and Bronwyn Carolus (Pacaltsdorp High).
Free State had the best matric pass rate‚ with Gauteng second.
Zille added, "The Western Cape again achieved the highest percentage of Bachelor's passes in the country (39,1%), the highest maths pass rate (73,9%) and a physical science pass rate of 74%."
Christelle Herbst (left), Lize-Mari Marais and Emma Nel received merit awards from Premier Helen Zille at her official residence on Thursday 11 January. Tiaan Swart from Outeniqua High was not present as he had already left for university.
ARTICLE, VIDEO & PHOTOS: MYRON RABINOWITZ, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
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