Perseverance Secondary School of Belhar lived up to its name last year when the school improved its Senior Certificate pass rate by more than 45%.

The Minister of Education in the Western Cape, Helen Zille, honoured this achievement on Friday, June 15, when she presented the Phambili Award to the principal of the school, Mr Ralph Talmarkes.

Secondary schools in disadvantaged communities of the Western Cape are eligible for the Phambili Award, which is presented to the school with the most improved Senior Certificate results.

Ms Zille also presented bursaries to five former learners from various schools in disadvantaged areas who performed well in last year’s Senior Certificate examinations.

"We celebrate the success of all those receiving awards today," Ms Zille said. "It is particularly appropriate that we celebrate youth achievement in this way as we prepare to commemorate Youth Day tomorrow, June 16."

Mr Bulelani Stokwe, who studied for his senior certificate at Imizamo Yethu High School, received the Phambili Bursary for excellent achievement by a candidate from a disadvantaged school in the rural areas of the Western Cape.

The bursary, worth R3000, is sponsored by Phambili Information Technology.

Mr Stokwe achieved three A symbols, for Biology in the Higher Grade (HG), and Mathematics and Physical Science in the Standard Grade (SG). He obtained a B symbol in isiXhosa (First Language) HG; a C symbol in English (Second Language) HG; and a D symbol in Afrikaans (Second Language) HG.

Four candidates received Phumelela Bursaries, each worth R3000, sponsored by Phumelela Publishers, for candidates from disadvantaged schools who achieved excellent results in last year’s Senior Certificate examinations.

The four bursary winners are Ms Meryl Pick, formerly of South Peninsula High School; Ms Anisa Parker, formerly of Cravenby Secondary School; Mr Bulelani Mqolweni, formerly of Khayamandi High School; and Mr Malibongwe Dywibiba, also formerly of Khayamandi.

Ms Pick achieved four A symbols in English (First Language) HG, Afrikaans (Second Language) HG, Biology HG and Accounting HG. She achieved two B symbols, in Mathematics HG and Physical Science HG, and a D symbol for Computer Studies HG.

Ms Parker achieved five A symbols in Afrikaans (Second Language) HG, Accounting HG, Business Economics HG, Economics HG and Mathematics HG. She achieved a C symbol for English (First Language) HG.

Mr Mqolweni achieved an A for Biology HG; two B symbols for isiXhosa (First Language) HG and Geography HG; two C symbols for Physical Science HG and English (Second Language) HG; and a D symbol for Mathematics HG.

Mr Dywibiba achieved an A for isiXhosa (First Language) HG; two B symbols for Biology HG and Geography HG; two Cs for Mathematics HG and Physical Science HG; and a D for English (Second Language) HG.