Ekurhuleni mayor recognises top student, pledges action on school issues  

Germiston – At the first ordinary council meeting of 2025, mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza announced an R20 000 donation made to Gauteng’s top matriculant of 2024, Musawenkosi Buthelezi.
“To honour and celebrate academic success in our city, we recently hosted the annual Godfrey Pitjie Academic Excellence Awards, an esteemed event dedicated to recognising outstanding academic achievements.
“The ceremony paid tribute to the brightest minds in our city and reinforced our commitment to fostering a culture of excellence, perseverance, and intellectual pursuit.
“Among these high achievers, we celebrate our top matriculant, a remarkable young man from Kwa-Thema, Musawenkosi Buthelezi, who emerged as the number one student in both Ekurhuleni and Gauteng and secured the second position nationally!
“His incredible accomplishment is a beacon of inspiration, demonstrating that talent, hard work, and ambition can defy any limitations,” he explained.
Xhakaza told the council that as part of the 2025 Mayoral Back to School Campaign, they visited various schools across Ekurhuleni, engaging with learners, educators, and school management to understand the realities they face daily.
“While we celebrate the achievements of our matriculants, it is also clear we need serious interventions to address the pressing social and disciplinary challenges affecting our schools,” he added.
He said in some schools, concerns about racism, bullying, and substance abuse were raised, highlighting the need for strengthened policies on inclusivity and learner protection.
At other schools, there are growing issues of gangsterism, teenage pregnancy, and substance abuse, all of which threaten the future of our young people.
“Beyond these individual cases, a common issue at many schools was the lack of parental involvement.
“Teachers cannot bear the responsibility of discipline and academic success alone; parents and guardians must play an active role in shaping their children’s future.
“As an administration, we will be engaging with school governing bodies, law enforcement, and community structures to develop targeted interventions that address these social ills, promote safer learning environments, and reinforce the importance of education as a tool for transformation.
“Our schools must be spaces of growth, opportunity, and safety, and we are committed to working alongside all stakeholders to ensure every learner in Ekurhuleni has a fair chance at success,” he said.