News

SA inmates score record breaking 96.2% pass rate

todayJanuary 17, 2025 177

Background
share close

South Africa’s top-performing inmates say their outstanding matric results should serve as encouragement to other young people that it’s never too late to turn their lives around. 

Minister of Correctional Services, Pieter Groenewald, announced the impressive results today, with the class of 2024 achieving a remarkable 96.2% matric pass rate, surpassing the national average of just over 87%. 

Twenty-two-year-old Bafana Bidi, who was sentenced to five years for the murder of his best friend, is one of the top-performing matriculants. 

Released on parole last year, Bidi achieved six distinctions. 

He plans to study psychology to help others struggling with anger issues.

“I’m not proud of what I did, but the rehabilitation programme at the correctional services has done a lot for me. I was nothing when I came there. Now look at me, I’m something!” Bidi said.

His mother, Nolusindiso Bidi, encouraged other single parents not to give up on their children.

Addressing the matriculants, Minister Groenewald encouraged the inmates to build on their accomplishments. 

Despite their setbacks, he emphasised that the inmates now have an opportunity to make a positive impact on the communities they once offended.

“You’ve taken up the pen to write the exams. You were successful. You still have to take up the pen to make a success of your life; that is most important,” Groenewald said.

The Minister also highlighted the need to address South Africa’s high unemployment rates to prevent reformed inmates from reverting to criminal behaviour. 

A total of 171 inmates, including those convicted of serious crimes like rape and murder, sat for the National Senior Certificate exams.

As of the third quarter of 2024, South Africa’s youth unemployment rate stood at 45.5%. 

To help inmates secure employment after release, Groenewald said the department is empowering them with skills such as hairdressing and carpentry.

“If inmates are properly educated, they have a better chance of getting a job. We must ensure proper economic growth, so we can create more jobs,” he added.

Written by: Naomi Kobbie

Rate it

0%