Congratulations to the Class of 2024
The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls (OWLAG) has consistently achieved outstanding academic results since its first Grade 12 class in 2011, setting a new standard for young women in South Africa. Through strategic support and clear vision, OWLAG continues to transform systemic challenges into pathways for success. The achievement of the Class of 2024, however, deserves a special recognition.
In 2020, the world was faced with the worst pandemic of our times. At the time, none of us knew or understood what devastating impact COVID-19 would have for the world. The country would go into lockdown on 27 March 2020. When President Ramaphosa announced that, most of us thought it would be a few weeks and the world would go back to normal.
How wrong were we? Ultimately, as the Academy, we took the difficult decision to preserve lives and migrate to remote teaching. It was a first for us and for our girls and many other schools in SA. And so, with just 48 academic days on campus, a mere 24% of the typical 200 days expected in a regular school year, O’Kaizens had to pack their bags and go back home, and face the unknown.
As the school, we had to not only develop an online curriculum, ensure that the girls had devices and could access learning, we also had to ensure that the support services that are part of our offering continued to be offered.
“To take up space is to acknowledge that every moment, every action, and every interaction carries the potential to leave an indelible mark, whether through contribution, connection, or growth” — MS GUGU NDEBELE
What we had not bargained for was how tenacious, resilient, determined and focused our girls are. More importantly, we got to understand and appriciate how strong and supportive their families were. The rest, as they say, is HISTORY. Our girls did not only turn up, but they SHOWED up. They faced COVID-19 in the face and showed it flames. Fast forward to 2024, we have one of our best NSC results ever. The O’Kaizens and the rest of the OWLAG girls refused to let the difficult and extraordinary circumstances stand in their way.
Our Matric Class achieved an exceptional 100% Bachelor’s pass rate, significantly surpassing the national average of 89.37%. But we should not be surprised because that is the O’Way. At OWLAG, we pride ourselves on the fact that we prepare the girls for the path, and not the path for the girls. We also know that our girls already come to OWLAG having overcome the most challenging circumstances. They come from places that are furthest from opportunity, not of their doing. These places are characterised by a lack of access to basic services: education, infrastructure, proper health care and social services. However, despite all these challenges, they still rose to the top.
The success of the Class of 2024 reflects both individual triumphs and the power of meeting systemic challenges with vision, strategy, and resilience, a strength truly deserving of the Kaizen label. ‘Kaizen,’ derived from Japanese, signifies continuous improvement and pursuing excellence through small, incremental changes. The OWLAG class of 2024 understood the essence of this O’ Kaizen name when they went on to live by the philosophy of ‘takers of space’. Taking space means more than merely existing. It is about how we engage with the world around us. It is the difference between passively occupying a corner of life and actively shaping it with intention and purpose.
To take up space is to acknowledge that every moment, every action, and every interaction carries the potential to leave an indelible mark, whether through contribution, connection, or growth. It invites reflection on whether we bring value to the spaces we inhabit.
Ms Gugu Ndebele
Executive Director
7
6
6
Awande Mchunu
Kwanele Musha
Dimakatso Festeciour Serite
6
6
5
Matshidiso Dibakoane
Sisanda Makwande Jali
Adia Molefe
5
5
5
Denisha Carla Christians
Nkosenhle Kgaogelo Lushaba
Lerato Thibakhoali
5
4 Distinctions (80%+)
Mbali Minenhle Bhane
Lindiwe Bester Mthethwa
Lifeziwe Oyena Mxotyeni
Hlalumi Zelda Velleman
4 Distinctions (70%+)
Abenathi Mahlaba
Sthembele Bridgect Hlongwane
Dina Lorna Mlobeli
Tanika Jordaan
Reneiloe Macholo
3 Distinctions (80%+)
Liyanda Zoe Zondi
3 Distinctions (70%+)
Kgomotso Dibakoane
Kutlwano Motlhabane
Thato Senare
Sithembiso Lungelo Hleza
Aniphi Somila Magwentshu
Mahloke Elizabeth Ramalla
Nozibele Mtayise
Liyema Jacob
Aphiwe Sumaeya Ali Shange
2 Distinctions
17 learners received 2
distinctions each
1 Distinctions
9 learners received 1
distinction each.
56
MATRICULANTS
100%
*BACHELOR’S DEGREE PASS.
76%
GROUP AVARAGE
41%
OF EXAMS WRITTEN ABOVE 80%
77%
OF EXAMS WRITTEN ABOVE 70%
94%
OF EXAMS WRITTEN ABOVE 60%
2.88
DISTINCTIONS PER STUDENT
15
STUDENTS WITH 80%+ AVERAGE
4
STUDENTS IN TOP 1% FOR IEB FAL
41%
OF THE CLASS ACHIEVED 3+ DISTINCTIONS.
100%
OF STUDENTS WHO WROTE FURTHER STUDIES IN ENGLISH PASSED
94%
OF SUBJECTS WERE ABOVE NATIONAL AVERAGE
STUDENTS ACHIEVED AT LEAST 1 DISTINCTION
16
OWLAG SUBJECTS EXCEEEDED THE
IEB AVERAGE
OF THE SUBJECT AVERAGES WERE 60%+
MATH, SCIENCE, COMMERCE
• 69% of the Mathematics students achieved above 60%
• 100% of our Mathematical Literacy students achieved an average of 70%+
• 90% of our Physical Science students achieved an average of 60%+
• 84% of our Life Sciences Students achieved 70%+
• 90% of our Accountancy students achieved averages of 60%+
• 86% of our Business Studies students achieved averages of 70%+
• 75% of Information Technology students achieved averages of 70%+
•58% of the Computer Application Technology students achieved 60% +
ARTS AND HUMANTIES
• 88% of students achieved 70% + for Visual Arts, and 63% achieved 80%+
• 100% of students achieved 70% and above for Dramatic Arts
• 82% of Dramatic Arts students achieved 80%+
• 74% of History students achieved 70%+
• 100% of the students who studied Geography achieved 60%+
• 93% of the students who studied Life Orientation achieved 70%+
LANGUAGES
• 82% of English Home Language student achieved 70%+
• 79% of Afrikaans students achieved 70%+, and 29% achieved 80%+
• 100% of isiZulu students achieved a mark of 70%+, and 96% achieved 80%+
• 94% of Sesotho students achieved 70%+, and 71% achieved 80%+
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2
3
7
6
Awande Mchunu
Kwanele Musha
6
6
Dimakatso Festeciour Serite
Matshidiso Dibakoane
6
5
Sisanda Makwande Jali
Adia Molefe
5
5
Denisha Carla Christians
Nkosenhle Kgaogelo Lushaba
5
5
Lerato Thibakhoali
Reneiloe Macholo
Mbali Minenhle Bhane
Lindiwe Bester Mthethwa
Lifeziwe Oyena Mxotyeni
Hlalumi Zelda Velleman
4 Distinctions (80%+)
Abenathi Mahlaba
Sthembele Bridgect Hlongwane
Dina Lorna Mlobeli
Tanika Jordaan
4 Distinctions (70%+)
Liyanda Zoe Zondi
3 Distinctions (80%+)
gomotso Dibakoane
Kutlwano Motlhabane
Thato Senare
Sithembiso Lungelo Hleza
Aniphi Somila Magwentshu
Mahloke Elizabeth Ramalla
Nozibele Mtayise
Liyema Jacob
Aphiwe Sumaeya Ali Shange
3 Distinctions (70%+)
17 learners received 2
distinctions each
2 Distinctions
1 Distinction
9 learners received 1
distinction each
56
MATRICULANTS
100%
*BACHELOR’S DEGREE PASS.
76%
GROUP AVARAGE
41%
OF EXAMS WRITTEN ABOVE 80%
77%
OF EXAMS WRITTEN ABOVE 70%
94%
OF EXAMS WRITTEN ABOVE 70%
2.88
DISTINCTIONS PER STUDENT
15
STUDENTS WITH 80%+ AVERAGE
4
STUDENTS IN TOP 1% FOR IEB FAL
48%
OF THE CLASS ACHIEVED 3+ DISTINCTIONS
100%
OF STUDENTS WHO WROTE FURTHER STUDIES IN ENGLISH PASSED
94%
OF SUBJECTS WERE ABOVE NATIONAL AVERAGE
STUDENTS ACHIEVED AT LEAST 1 DISTINCTION
16
OWLAG SUBJECTS EXCEEEDED THE
IEB AVERAGE
OF THE SUBJECT AVERAGES WERE 60%+
MATH, SCIENCE, COMMERCE
• 69% of the Mathematics students achieved above 60%
• 100% of our Mathematical Literacy students achieved an average of 70%+
• 90% of our Physical Science students achieved an average of 60%+
• 84% of our Life Sciences Students achieved 70%+
• 90% of our Accountancy students achieved averages of 60%+
• 86% of our Business Studies students achieved averages of 70%+
• 75% of Information Technology students achieved averages of 70%+
•58% of the Computer Application Technology students achieved 60% +
ARTS AND HUMANTIES
• 88% of students achieved 70% + for Visual Arts, and 63% achieved 80%+
• 100% of students achieved 70% and above for Dramatic Arts
• 82% of Dramatic Arts students achieved 80%+
• 74% of History students achieved 70%+
• 100% of the students who studied Geography achieved 60%+
• 93% of the students who studied Life Orientation achieved 70%+
LANGUAGES
• 82% of English Home Language student achieved 70%+
• 79% of Afrikaans students achieved 70%+, and 29% achieved 80%+
• 100% of isiZulu students achieved a mark of 70%+, and 96% achieved 80%+
• 94% of Sesotho students achieved 70%+, and 71% achieved 80%+
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2
3
