Pretoria - Hard work and dedication are key when it comes to acing your matric exams, some of the top performing learners in the 2011 National Senior Certificate exams said on Wednesday.
The country's best performing learner, 18-year-old Western Cape learner Ashraf Moolla attributed his success to hard work.
"I have just worked hard with determination to succeed. My parents and teachers have been very supportive, they wanted me to succeed," he said following Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga's announcement of the 2011 matric results.
He told BuaNews that he wanted to study Actuarial Science at the University of Cape Town.
Another top achiever, Sibusiso Nqcobo, from the Buhlebethu High School in KwaZulu-Natal, told BuaNews that while things were not easy, determination and hard work made success possible.
Sibusiso was acknowledged as one of the top performing matrics in the country despite coming from a Quintile 1 - or one of the country's poorest - schools.
"With determination, nothing is impossible," he said, while encouraging other youngsters to concentrate on their studies.
The minister announced that 70.2% of the candidates who sat for the National Senior Certificate exams passed their matric.
KwaZulu-Natal's Maritzburg College learner Muhammad Ismail, 17, who took a total of 9 subjects including Mathematics and Physical Science and Economics said balancing one's academic work and social life was important in attaining success.
In his trial exams he achieved a 95% average.
"I worked hard throughout the year and made sure I stayed motivated. I also got support from my family and teachers," he said.
Ismail plans to study for a B.Com and hopes to become a chartered accountant.
"Everyone has the capability of making it, work hard consistently and you will make it," he said.
The 2011 pass rate is an increase of 2.4% up from 2010s 67.8%. In 2011, 496 090 candidates compared to 537 543 candidates in 2010 sat for their exams.
