Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has announced an 80.1 % matric pass rate for the class of 2022 with Gauteng and KwaZulu Natal contributing the most passes that qualify to study further at university.

Gauteng Province sees an increase of 1.6% from 2021 and if there's a school that will be glad to have been part of that 1.6 % increase is General Smuts High School.

The Sedibeng East based High School has seen an increase of 6.1 % from 2021 with a 73.8 % pass rate in 2022. General Smuts had 214 learners that sat to write their NSC exams.

158 passed while 56 of the learners unfortunately failed, the High School also saw 31 learners go far beyond the call of duty and obtain distinctions in their respective subjects.

A total of 57 learners met the minimum requirements for admission to Bachelor's Degree while 59 met the requirements for admission to Diploma and 42 obtained the Higher Certificate admission.

Principal Lefa Mohapi expressed his joy and excitement over the results of the class of 22 stating that despite the odds Smuts has done well. 

"For a school to move from 67.7 % to 73.8 % is a big achievement for us, I am extremely proud and excited to witness such great progress, this shows that with dedication and commitment despite all odds we can still conquer and reach new frontiers," Mohapi said.

General Smuts has been in the headlines for all  the negative news lately with learners caught in the school premises in possession of dangerous weapons and substances. 

Although that is the case, learners like Ntando Twala, Nkosi Hope and Alicia Maphosa have given the school something to cheer about.

Twala is one the top achievers in the recent Class of 22 Matric results obtaining 4 distinctions in Life Orientation, Accounting, Life Science and Physical Science while also obtaining 3 level 6's in English, Afrikaans and Mathematics.

Hope also obtained 5 distinctions in Mathematics, Life Orientation, Accounting, Business Studies and Economics while Maphosa also followed obtaining 4 distinctions in English, Afrikaans, Life Orientation and Life Science.

Mr Mohapi further alluded that the goal for 2023 is to build on the already laid foundation and penetrate through to the 80% pass rate.

"2022 was not an easy year for us but we made it against all odds and this is testament to the fact that Success Crowns Labour," Mohapi added.

Learners, parents and educators were all present at the official announcement on Friday morning at the school premises with parents expressing their jubilation towards the results of their children.