Engen held an awards ceremony on the 19th February, 2022 at Fairvale Secondary School, Tara Road, Wentworth to honour Grade 10-12 learners and name the top Engen Maths and Science School (EMSS) achievers in KwaZulu-Natal where classes sit at Fairvale High School, Ganges High School, Howard College, and Mangosuthu University of Technology. 

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 matric achievers in attending KwaZulu-Natal EMSS Centres,” says Nyawera. 

The top-national achiever and first in the province is Saeeda Bint-Imran Norath attended the EMSS programme from grade 10-12 at Fairvale High School in KZN. Saeeda’s hard work resulted in English and Maths marks of 93% and 95% for Science. She plans to follow her dream of becoming an occupational therapist.   

The second best performing EMSS matric nationally and second in the province is Tia Pillay who attended the EMSS programme at Ganges High School. Tia achieved 93% for English, 90% for Science and 87% for Maths, and plans to study Dentistry at the University of Western Cape. 

Other top achievers included: 

Blaze Kazlin Timothy chalked up seven distinctions in matric. An alumnus of Grosvenor Girls’ High School, Blaze plans to study Medicine at the University of KwaZulu-Natal this year. 

Sibusiswe Sosibo who attended the EMSS programme at Ganges High School and achieved 86% for English, 84% for Science and 93% for Maths. 

Rufaro Chakanyuka, an alumnus of Bluff Christian Academy, achieved an impressive 85% for mathematics and 86% for both English and science plans to study actuarial science at UCT this year. 

Diya Bhoda who attended the EMSS programme at Ganges High School and achieved 87% for English, 80% for Science and 95% for Maths. 

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.