28 January 2026
BloemExpress
NEWS
I
Excellence and pride prosper The atmosphere was electric at the recent top achievers’ recognition Well-Done Function for the Matric Class of 2025, where the Free State Department of Education celebrated the province’s 89,3% pass rate. A red carpet was rolled out for the Top 100 brightest stars for 2025. Among these exceptional students, one name stood out with particular brilliance. Bokang Vincent Mokubung (17) of the Bluegumbosch Secondary School in Phuthaditjhaba, Qwaqwa, is the Best Overall Achiever in Mathematics and Physical Sciences. He obtained first position among the top three learners in quintile 3 schools for exceptional results in Mathematics in the country. He achieved eight distinctions in the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations: Life Orientation (100%), Geography (100%), Tourism (98%), Life Sciences (97%), Physical Sciences (97%), Mathematics (97%), English First Additional Language (89%) and Sotho Home Language (86%). During the 2025 school term, Bokang went to school early to assist his fellow classmates before classes began, and they continued their study sessions together in the afternoon. He has become a shining example of what determination, hard work and strategic thinking can achieve. His journey to academic excellence is one that deserves to be told and celebrated. “When I read the results for my matric exam, the first thing that came into my mind was that I had made it. My efforts really paid off,” Bokang recalls with evident pride. His confidence was not misplaced – throughout his exam period, he maintained
Bokang Mokubung, top achiever provincially and nationally, being presented prizes by Dr Julia Maboya (MEC for Education) and Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae at the annual Well-Done Function held in Bloemfontein. PHOTO: Mlungisi Louw
an unwavering belief in his preparation. “I ensured that I aced every paper that I wrote." What makes Bokang’s story particularly inspiring is how he transformed his biggest challenge into one of his greatest victories. Tourism, the subject that gave him the most difficulty, ironically became one of his best-performing subjects. His solution? Going the extra mile – literally. “I attended tourism lessons at a school different from my own because there was a teacher at another school that I understood much better.” This story perfectly illustrates Bokang’s proactive approach to learning and his willingness to seek help wherever he could find it. He has secured a place at the University of Pretoria (UP) to study Actuarial Sciences, with clear entrepreneurial goals in mind. “One day I want to become a successful businessman. I’m going to
use the skills I learn to enhance my businesses so that they can succeed.” When asked about the specific type of business he envisions, his response reflects the boundless optimism of youth: “Any form of business, as long as it is business.” Behind every successful student is a strong support network. He openly acknowledges the crucial role his teachers played in helping him navigate the inevitable pressures of his matric year. “To handle the pressure, I seek emotional support from my teachers. There’s this one teacher that I vented to about everything, and he would always comfort me and tell me that everything was going to get better. I just needed to relax.” Emotional support was only part of the equation, however. Bokang also focused on building his confidence through hard work and practice – a strategy that proved highly effective in
reducing exam anxiety. Every successful student has someone who lights the way, and for Bokang, that person is Ernest Thabo Mowai, his Mathematics teacher of Gr.10. Despite only teaching him for half a year, Mr. Mowai’s impact has been lasting and profound. “I actually have a role model at school. It is my Mathematics teacher who taught me in Gr.10. He did not teach me the whole year, but ever since he’s been inspiring me,” Bokang shares with genuine admiration. When asked what advice he would give his younger self at the beginning of his matric year, Bokang’s response reveals a maturity that likely contributed to his success: “Never have excuses for any failure, because failure does not have to be justified.” Dr Julia Maboya, MEC for Education, has congratulated Bokang on his stellar achievement. “We take profound pride in Bokang, representing the Free State on the national stage, carrying the aspirations of our province with distinction and excellence as the top performer in the category of Quintile 3 schools nationally,” she said. “Your achievement inspires your peers and communities, setting a high standard of excellence and pride for the province.” Maboya addressed the audience at the provincial Well-Done Function for the Matric Class of 2025 held on the Bloemfontein campus of the Central University of Technology (CUT), Free State, on 16 January. A total of 38 205 learners wrote the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) final examination. The overall pass rate of 89,3% translates to 34 129 candidates who passed. Beaming with pride, Maboya indicated that the province was not overly concerned with the slight decline in
pass rate, noting that it had secured second place behind KwaZulu-Natal, which achieved first position with 90,6%. The Free State’s pass rate reflected a marginal decline of 1.67 percentage points from the 91% achieved in 2024. “The quality of outcomes is reflected by 16 728 learners who obtained bachelor passes (43,8%), while 11 926 obtained diploma passes (31,2%), and 5 407 obtained higher certificate passes, underscoring that progression, when properly supported, strengthens rather than compromises system performance,” said Maboya. “Out of a total of 359 schools, 115 schools performed at 95% and above. This includes 58 township schools. In 2025, a total of 46 schools managed to achieve 100%, of which 14 are township schools.” “The decline in the Free State is neither a collapse nor anything new; it is a fluctuation within a system that has demonstrated resilience over a decade of sustained excellence. “For instance, in 2018, the Free State shifted to second position with a variance of approximately 3%, and again in 2020 with a marginal difference of 3,3%. “On both occasions, we recalibrated and returned stronger. This demonstrated a system characterised by resilience, coherence, and corrective leadership, enabling the province to rebound decisively,” she stated. Furthermore, Maboya based the province’s quality education on learner performance, demonstrated by learners who achieve at a national level – like Bokang, being the provincial Best Overall Achiever in Mathematics and Physical Sciences; as well as Jaco Deysel of the Hoërskool Jim Fouché in Bloemfontein, who is the provincial Overall Top Achiever, excelling in Mathematics.
Second Chance Matric Programme Registration to be closed on 9 February 2026 Need more info? Contact your District SCMP Coordinators and SCMP Centre Managers (as per advert)
Registration Details: - Open to Senior Certicate (SC) and National Senior Certicate (NSC) part-time candidates - Registration period: January 14, 2025 - February 9, 2026 - Register online via the Department of Basic Education (DBE) website or visit your nearest district ofce or SCMP centre
The Free State Department of Education invites learners who didn't meet the National Senior Certicate (NSC) or Senior Certicate (SC) requirements to register for the Second Chance Matric Programme before or on February 06, 2026. This programme offers FREE tutoring in key subjects like Accounting, Agricultural Sciences, Business Studies, and more at SCMP centres across the province.
Don't miss this chance to rewrite your story!
SCMP DISTRICT COORDINATORS DISTRICT COORDINATORS
CONTACT NUMBER
EMAIL ADDRESS
DISTRICT
Dr T.J Meko Mr J. Msiza
071 473 3981 060 988 4433
mekotj@gmail.com jemsiza@gmail.com
MMED Xhariep
Mr S. Zim
083 554 9012
Zimprince111@gmail.com
TMED
Mr S. Mcosana Mr T. Mojanaga
073 155 5179 076 551 3007
S.Mcosana@fseducation.gov.za Thabo.mojanaga.t@gmail.com
Fezile Dabi Lejweleputswa
FEZILE DABI DISTRICT CENTRES TOWN Frankfort Kroonstad Sasolburg Parys Viljoenskroon
CENTRE Falesizwe SS Dr Cingo SS Cedar SS Phehellang SS Kgolagano SS
CENTRE MANAGER Mr F. Motloung Mr Hlahane Mr S. Sibanyoni Ms M. Molo-Mofokeng Mr L.G. Maloisane
CONTACT NO. 079 501 8375 076 676 7057 079 111 9074 084 899 1545 083 769 1626
THABO MOFUTSANYANA DISTRICT CENTRES TOWN Phuthaditjhaba
CENTRE Kholathuto SS
Bethlehem
BHM Mr M. Mhlope Comprehensive Marallaneng SS Mr. Maleka
Ficksburg
MANGAUNG METROPOLITAN EDUCATION DISTRICT CENTRES TOWN Botshabelo Botshabelo Botshabelo Botshabelo Dewetsdorp Thaba Nchu Mangaung Mangaung
CENTRE Lefikeng SS Leratong SS Senakangwedi SS Ntumediseng Metsimaphodi SS Moutoatsi Centre Kagisho SS Tjhebelopele
CENTRE MANAGER Mr Ngcobo Mr Phandle Mr Mmusetsi Mr Mabeba Mrs NF Leepile Mr Mokanyane Mr AM Chele Mr Choane
CONTACT NO. 082 951 8069 082 703 8068 082 314 8238 083 225 4966 078 962 1710 083 779 0438 083 411 4544 073 891 2190
CENTRE MANAGER CONTACT NO. 073 162 1182 Ms Y. Mzima 076 899 3448 079 736 5333
XHARIEP DISTRICT CENTRES TOWN Zastron Trompsburg Koffiefontein
CENTRE CENTRE MANAGER Lere la Thuto SS Mr.Ntja Trompsburg SS Mr. Makhetha Diamanthoogte CS Ms. Morolong
CONTACT NO. 064 941 9692 060 503 4229 072 460 1466
LEJWELEPUTSWA DISTRICT CENTRES TOWN
CENTRE
CENTRE MANAGER CONTACT NO.
Thabong
Lephola SS
Mr Magome
076 726 2539
Virginia Thabong
Reatiehile SS Letjhabile CLC
Ms Motsei Mr Maswnganyi
072 331 1047 072 889 9469 078 525 1907 068 365 9930 078 992 4692 073 303 7242
Theunnissen Retswelletse CLC Mr Koloba Mamaellang Thuto School Mr Masumpa Bothaville LA Wesi School Allanridge Mr Marumo
SAMXXX-BL290126