DELMAS – The recent academic achievements of learners in the Victor Khanye Municipality have been nothing short of remarkable, thanks to the collaborative efforts of Exxaro Leeuwpan, GoMaths and other partners in education. During the matric awards for the class of 2024 on February 7, 2025, Tebogo Leepile, Exxaro’s Group Manager for Social Impact, proudly announced a 22.9% increase in the matric pass rate at Swartklip Combined School.
“It’s an honour for us to be part of this historic event. The matric class of 2024 has made us proud, and we commend the 22.9% improvement at Swartklip Combined School,” said Leepile. Her speech emphasised the significance of education in tackling socio-economic challenges faced by mining communities.
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Leepile highlighted the importance of collaboration in addressing systemic issues such as unemployment and poverty. “We believe that systemic challenges cannot be addressed by one entity alone. Through partnerships and collaboration, we continue to make a difference,” she added.
The GoMaths initiative, led by Lebang Nong, has played a pivotal role in these improvements. Contracted to assist five local schools, GoMaths provided Grade 9 and Grade 12 learners with support in key subjects like Mathematics, Physical Sciences, and Accounting, while also offering additional assistance in Life Sciences, Economics, and Geography. “We aim for a minimum pass rate of 65%, which ensures university access and the possibility of bursaries,” Nong explained during the launch at Swartklip Combined in April 2024.
The initiative, which also provided learners with scientific calculators and textbooks, has been instrumental in equipping students for success. During the first years of the GoMaths initiative, the Victor Khanye Circuit saw a significant improvement in performance, moving from 78.8% in 2023 to 83.2% in 2024.
Leepile expressed gratitude for GoMaths’ dedication. “They have gone the extra mile to meet the needs of our schools, demonstrating a commitment that goes far beyond contractual obligations. We deeply appreciate their responsiveness and dedication,” she said.
Leepile concluded by hinting that further support for local education is coming. “Circuit Manager, we have heard you regarding the need for school management and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) support. There will be a selection process to determine how they [learners] can be assisted with further study support.”
