Seven of the country's top 23 performers in last year's matric results hail from Limpopo.
And two of the seven come from a school for blind pupils.
All 23 pupils were invited to the results announcement by Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga in Midrand last night.
Ntshuxeko Liberty Maluleke and Selby Vutomi Rihlapfu achieved outstanding results from the Rivoni School for the Blind in Elim near Louis Trichardt.
Rihlapfu's eyes started giving him trouble just before the start of the matric exams.
Rihlapfu, 20, was born partially sighted but his eyes deteriorated badly.
He could not believe he was one of the top national achievers.
"When I received the call I was very nervous and I could not understand what was going on," Rihlapfu said.
"I was confused and I could not eat for the whole day. I though it was a joke.
"I was about to give up hope, but the school principal assisted me very much and she supported me when I needed help."
He has been accepted to read towards an LLB at University of Venda.
Fulufhelani Mashapha and Phindulo Mphaphuli also passed with flying colours at Tshivhase Secondary School near Thohoyandou.
The two schools are the only ones to produce two top performers each, and to be recognised nationally.
Maluleke, Rihlapfu, Mashapha and Mphaphuli were joined by pupils from Mbilwi Secondary and Dendron High schools, that have produced one top performer each.
Hamandiswe Yakob Mathivha, who represented Mbilwi, knew he had performed well because of the hard work he had put into his studies.
But he said he did not expect he would be part of the top achievers.
He will be studying computer engineering at the University of Cape Town.
Mapula Gift Sebati, from Dendron, believes paying more attention in class is what earned her a top spot.
Sebati already has a bursary and a scholarship to study accounting science at University of Pretoria.
"I feel so happy. I'm overjoyed and I'm lost for words, honestly because I did not expect this," Sebati said.
The Limpopo group also included Dimpho Matshaya Phalane from Mampotjane Secondary School in the Sekhukhune area.
Limpopo is followed by the Western Cape, which produced six top performing pupils.
The Eastern Cape has four.
Gauteng has three, KwaZulu-Natal two and North West one.
Mpumalanga and Free State were not represented among this year's top performers.
According to Charne Haak, acting director for communication and research in the basic education department, the pupils who received the ministerial awards will be transported back to their respective provinces to allow them to attend provincial events today.
"It will then be the responsibility of individual provinces to return the pupils and their parents back to their homes after completion of their respective events."
Limpopo department of education spokesman Dr Naledzani Rasila said they were pleased to be counted among the best.
He also wished all pupils who had passed their exams well in their future academic endeavours.
frankm@sowetan.co.za
Limpopo school for the blind produces stars
Seven of the country's top 23 performers in last year's matric results hail from Limpopo.
And two of the seven come from a school for blind pupils.
All 23 pupils were invited to the results announcement by Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga in Midrand last night.
Ntshuxeko Liberty Maluleke and Selby Vutomi Rihlapfu achieved outstanding results from the Rivoni School for the Blind in Elim near Louis Trichardt.
Rihlapfu's eyes started giving him trouble just before the start of the matric exams.
Rihlapfu, 20, was born partially sighted but his eyes deteriorated badly.
He could not believe he was one of the top national achievers.
"When I received the call I was very nervous and I could not understand what was going on," Rihlapfu said.
"I was confused and I could not eat for the whole day. I though it was a joke.
"I was about to give up hope, but the school principal assisted me very much and she supported me when I needed help."
He has been accepted to read towards an LLB at University of Venda.
Fulufhelani Mashapha and Phindulo Mphaphuli also passed with flying colours at Tshivhase Secondary School near Thohoyandou.
The two schools are the only ones to produce two top performers each, and to be recognised nationally.
Maluleke, Rihlapfu, Mashapha and Mphaphuli were joined by pupils from Mbilwi Secondary and Dendron High schools, that have produced one top performer each.
Hamandiswe Yakob Mathivha, who represented Mbilwi, knew he had performed well because of the hard work he had put into his studies.
But he said he did not expect he would be part of the top achievers.
He will be studying computer engineering at the University of Cape Town.
Mapula Gift Sebati, from Dendron, believes paying more attention in class is what earned her a top spot.
Sebati already has a bursary and a scholarship to study accounting science at University of Pretoria.
"I feel so happy. I'm overjoyed and I'm lost for words, honestly because I did not expect this," Sebati said.
The Limpopo group also included Dimpho Matshaya Phalane from Mampotjane Secondary School in the Sekhukhune area.
Limpopo is followed by the Western Cape, which produced six top performing pupils.
The Eastern Cape has four.
Gauteng has three, KwaZulu-Natal two and North West one.
Mpumalanga and Free State were not represented among this year's top performers.
According to Charne Haak, acting director for communication and research in the basic education department, the pupils who received the ministerial awards will be transported back to their respective provinces to allow them to attend provincial events today.
"It will then be the responsibility of individual provinces to return the pupils and their parents back to their homes after completion of their respective events."
Limpopo department of education spokesman Dr Naledzani Rasila said they were pleased to be counted among the best.
He also wished all pupils who had passed their exams well in their future academic endeavours.
frankm@sowetan.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos