Jabulile Mbatha13 January 2025 | 12:05

Power outages were a major challenge, says one of SA's top performing matric pupils

KwaZulu-Natal matriculant, Sibusiso Buthelezi, said that his school, Zimele High, made provision for learners when they experienced power outages.

Power outages were a major challenge, says one of SA's top performing matric pupils

The DBE hosted the top achievers from the matric class of 2024 at the MTN Innovation Centre in Randburg on 13 January 2025. Picture: @The_DSD/X

JOHANNESBURG - South Africa's top-performing matriculant said that electricity outages were a major challenge for him during his matric year.

KwaZulu-Natal matriculant, Sibusiso Buthelezi, said that his school, Zimele High, made provision for learners when they experienced power outages.

He was among the 39 top achievers honoured by the basic education minster in Johannesburg on Monday at a special ministerial breakfast. 

READ: 2024 matric exams: More than 400 candidates caught cheating

He said that electricity was the only challenge he faced during his matric year.

"The frequent electricity outages that would often persist for weeks, if not months, cost significant interruption to learners and many others who relied on the school premises to study in the evenings,""Buthelezi said.