It is hard to believe that the Vulamathuba Empumelelo matriculants who commenced their studies in August 2023 will soon write their final exams. In the lead-up to this important milestone for the students, Vulamathuba is pulling out all the stops to ensure they are well-equipped to succeed in the exams.

The objective
Matric is the gateway to a better future. Therefore, he would like all 60 students who will take the exam in May/June 2024 to be successful. “If the majority of the students obtain a pass that meets the requirements to study at a university or TVET college or can access job opportunities like learnerships and apprenticeships, we will be thrilled by the impact of the programme.”

Saturday classes
All learning material is provided, and weekly classes have been added to aid students in revising and working through previous exam question papers.

Online option
The students who cannot attend physical classes or wish to revise a class, Vulamathuba provides an online option. Wandile says, “We pre-record classes in our Zoom room, which boasts a big-screen TV and a projector. The Learning Centre where the matric programme occurs is equipped with computers and WiFi. The matric students can use these facilities for free during the centre’s hours, namely 8am until 7pm on weekdays and 8am. until 5pm on Saturdays.

Adequate preparation
The mock exams written during December 2023 serve as another initiative to ensure students are adequately prepared for the examinations by allowing them to experience and acclimate to the exam environment.

Additional support
Students needing psycho-social support and career guidance can also request counselling services. Some students will also attend a Job Journey programme, which Vulamathuba will host in partnership with Common Good as part of the job readiness. This programme equips students with the confidence, skills, and resources to find employment.

What students say
Ricardo May (38) from Goodwood is one the matric programme student who is employed full-time and will write matric for the first time. He says the Vulamathuba Empumelelo programme supports students’ needs: “They have an open-door and are always willing to assist us. If you miss classes, they will try to check up on you and motivate you.”
He found their mock exams in December helpful in curbing anxiety about the unknown (namely the exam environment) and helping to plan and organise work during the exam.

For Ricardo, who is engaged to be married, this opportunity to obtain a matric will open doors like getting better job opportunities and even allow him to explore further study opportunities.

Phathiswa Lengisi (38) from Langa, who enrolled in the program to improve her marks, found the support and encouragement of the program staff to be of great value. “I appreciate the extra classes, the study guides, and their time. Every time we need their help, they are here for us,” she says.

Sinazo Gcora, 39 from Langa: “They have the best tutors and are always willing to go the extra mile to help us.” She is hoping to improve her marks so that she can gain entrance to university.

Revern Damonse (27) from Elsies River, to start university studies after obtaining her matric. “I appreciate the supportive tutors and the sense of community I experience with my peers. It is very motivating”. “The extra classes during the week, educational activities and videos help me a lot as I prepare for the exams”.” After matriculating, she would like to pursue a degree in education.

About the Matric Programme
The Matric Programme forms part of Vulamathuba Empumelelo’s overall objective to expand the organisation’s impact through innovative and focused social development interventions that create an enabling environment to advance the economic mobility of beneficiaries.
Obtaining a matric certificate will help the students gain access to PIVOTAL (Professional, Vocational, Technical, and Academic Learning) Programmes, fostering a career path and an opportunity to earn a stable income.

Get in touch
Students interested in grabbing this opportunity to complete their matric or improve their marks can contact Wandile at applications@vulamathuba.org.za
Applications for the July 2024 until June 2025 Matric Programme closes on 31 May 2024.