Engen held an awards ceremony on the 26th February, 2022 at Zakarriya Combined School to honour Grade 10-12 learners and name the top Engen Maths and Science School (EMSS) achievers in Gauteng where classes are held at Zakarriya Combined School. 

Overcoming Covid related grief, lockdown induced class disruptions, and the added stress and anxiety of social unrest, 64% of the 429 EMSS learners who sat their matric final examinations attained bachelor passes, proving yet again the crucial role of the Engen supported supplementary maths and science programme.  

Engen’s manager of Transformation and Stakeholder Engagement, Dr James Nyawera explains that the EMSS programme focuses specifically on providing extra tuition in “gateway” subjects such as mathematics and science; subjects which are considered critical in addressing the country’s technical and engineering skills shortage as well as spurring economic growth and development.  

“While Engen is extremely proud of all the 2021 matriculants, I must make special mention of, and commend the incredible results attained by our top three matric achievers in attending our Zakarriya EMSS Centre,” says Nyawera. 

The top achiever in Gauteng and taking fifth place nationally is Lenasia local Jubilee Tinomudaishe Dongo an alumnus of Masibambane College in Orange Farm.  Her hard work resulted in an incredible 9 distinctions, including 96% for Maths and 88% for science.  These results secured her a place at the University of the Witwatersrand to study Actuarial Science.  

The second-best performer in Gauteng is Vutshilo Mukwevho, a resident of Lakeview and an alumnus of Leshata Secondary School.  Achieving 89% for Maths and 88% for science, Vutshilo is planning to study either astrophysics or biochemistry at the University of Cape Town.   

Third place in the province is Dakalo Lorrein Mufamadi, from Orange Farm and an alumnus of Leshata Secondary School.  Dakalo is following her passion and studying Dietetics at North-West University this year. 

Other top achievers are Lenasia South resident, Tinotenda Gozho who scored 90% for Maths and 87% for science.  An alumnus of Masibambane College, Tinotenda is studying computer science at the University of Witwatersrand (Wits) this year. 

Orange Farm resident, Busisiwe Mnisi, an alumnus of Thetha Secondary School attainted 5 distinctions and is planning to study computer science at Wits this year. 

The Engen Maths and Science Schools have run for over 30 years, and offer underprivileged grade 10-12 learners free supplementary Maths, Science and English tuition on Saturdays at ten locations across South Africa. 

These include Cape Town (classes are held at Belgravia and Manzombotho High), Port Elizabeth (at Uitenhage Secondary School), East London (Buffalo City College), Cala and Johannesburg, and in KwaZulu-Natal where classes sit at Fairvale High School, Ganges High School, Howard College, and Mangosuthu University of Technology 

“Starting off 34 years ago as Engen Saturday Schools, EMSS remains central to Engen’s efforts to contribute to the growth and transformation of South Africa,” continues Nyawera, adding that “the programme has worked tirelessly to help transform young underprivileged people’s lives, with a focus of creating a diverse and vibrant workforce.” 

Nyawera says Engen is also incredibly proud of the EMSS learners who completed matric in 2021, despite extremely trying circumstances. 

“Well done to all for showing true grit and determination! It is Engen’s ultimate reward to help set talented people up to pursue stimulating careers that won’t only benefit them personally, but also their families and the broader economy of South Africa. 

“Engen is committed to building tomorrow’s leaders and if we want to ensure that the youth of tomorrow are prepared for a rapidly changing world, we need to ensure that they have the right mix of skills, for them to reach their full potential,” concludes Nyawera.