The year 2012 will go down in history as the most difficult and painful year for the province of Limpopo - in one fell swoop the once mightily respected giant was reduced to a but of malicious jokes and gossip.
Five of the province's key Departments, including Treasury, were placed under administration. As if this was not enough punishment, the cornered province was hit by a text-book scandal. Text books had not been delivered to learners. Text books were found in river banks, street corners and abandoned warehouses.
Looking at this tragedy playing itself out in Limpopo, prophets of doom and gloom prophesied armagedon for the province. No wonder the majority of the citizens of the province wanted President Jacob Zuma to take over the entire provincial administration before its complete collapse.
It was therefore with trepidation that the people of the province sat down before their TV and Radio sets to hear Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, announce the 2012 National Senior Certifcate Exam results. All that the people of Limpopo looked forward to, was doom and gloom as ordained by our esteemed false oracles.
Little did the people of the province know they would be the toast of the ceremony and the country to boot - Limpopo had improved its pass rate from 63,9% in 2011 to this year's 66,9%. As if this feat was not enough, out of 28 top learners in the country in the Grade 12 Class of 2012 were from Limpopo.
The 18-year-old girl child, Komane Ngoanapedi Mmadikgetho of Glen Cowie Girls High School in the Sekhukhune district of Limpopo, emerged as the best learner by far in the country and province by scoring 100% in Mathematics, Physical Science and Accounting. She received distinctions in Sepedi, English, Life Orientation and Life Science.
A mean feat for a girl child from the forsaken Limpopo.
No wonder the Department of Basic Education commended the province for its improved performance - against all challenges the learners of Limpopo have shown un-imaginable resilience.
Proferssor Mary Metcalfe had this to say: "Limpopo, a poorly resourced province, has despite several troughs, gradually improved its performance from 32 percent in 1997 to 67 percent in 2012 - an increase of 35 percent over 17 years."
Limpopo has truly turned the corner in improving its annual Grade 12 results. As Premier Cassel Mathale said during the ceremony to announce the provincial results, the province's target for 2013 is 75 percent.
MEC for Education in Limpopo, Namane Dickson, and his Team have what it takes and more to restore the province's days of excellence in education.
Twitter@molebi Facebook: Molebatsi Masedi
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