02 Feb 2024
Proconics is dedicated to enhancing educational opportunities and fostering academic growth within its communities.
Proconics, a leading engineering solutions provider, sponsored 10 top learners who demonstrated exceptional Mathematics and Physical Sciences proficiency by achieving a remarkable level 6 and above during the 2023 National Senior Certificate examinations.
The sponsored learners, hailing from schools supported by the Sasol Osizweni Science Centre in the Govan Mbeki Municipality in Secunda were each awarded an R10 000 prize during the Sasol Grade 12 Merit Awards, held last night at the Sasol Recreation Club. This financial support is earmarked to help further their tertiary education endeavours.
“We aim to advance the communities we operate in by supporting brilliant minds in their education journey and alleviating the financial burden hindering learners from pursuing higher education studies,” said Melvin Jones, Proconics’ Group Chief Executive Officer.
“The Matric Awards serve as a platform for us to collaborate with Sasol in promoting the importance of the STEAMI sectors (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics, and Innovation) and to encourage learners to pursue studies in these sectors.”
Now in its 29th year, the awards brought together the community, public, and private sectors to celebrate exceptional academic achievements.
“Each year, we plant a seed in young people’s minds to focus and invest in their education journeys for their future benefit. Building the South Africa that we want, full of talent to address future challenges, is a significant achievement,” shared Reginald Mbatha, Proconics’ Managing Director.
Mbatha extended congratulations not only to the learners but also to their teachers, families, and respective communities for their crucial roles in shaping the top achievers of the class of 2023.
The event also plays a pivotal role in encouraging learners interested in non-STEAMI subjects to continue excelling academically at the tertiary level. Additionally, it recognises and encourages the best learner achievers each year, fostering stronger partnerships between the Mpumalanga Provincial Education Department, the Gert Sibande Regional Education Department, and the KwaZulu-Natal Education Department.
Despite the challenges faced by the class of 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing load shedding, the Department of Basic Education reported a historic pass rate of 82.9%. Among the matriculants, 40.9% achieved a bachelor’s pass, 27.2% achieved a diploma pass, and 14.8% achieved a higher certificate pass.
