PROTEC’s excellent track record in boosting matric STEM gateway subject passes was further strengthened by the Class of 2024 who achieved a 99.2% pass rate and an 87% bachelor pass rate. These 265 matriculants, representing 91 schools in four provinces, earned a total of 473 distinctions of which 40 were for maths, 21 for science and 24 for English – the three primary subjects that PROTEC provides educational support for.

Balan Moodley, CEO of PROTEC, says he’s extremely proud of the matriculants and the PROTEC team who together worked hard, largely against the odds, to achieve excellent results in maths, science and English, often far better than youngsters in privileged schools achieved. “These results are an overall improvement on our 2023 matric results. The bachelor pass rate is 11.7% better than the previous year; the number of distinctions is up 24% and the number of maths distinctions is up 60% on the Class of 2023’s.” Of PROTEC’s seven branches – six in KwaZulu-Natal and one in Mpumalanga – six achieved 100% pass rate with three branches in KZN (Inanda, Mandeni and Stanger) achieving 100% bachelor passes. Overall, the branches achieved a 91% bachelor pass rate. The four PROTEC projects – three in Eastern Cape and one in Soweto – all achieved a 100% pass rate and an average 79.6% bachelor pass.

“We are well aware that the country’s matric results are showing a year-on-year improvement overall, but as far as building the pool of STEM careers that South Africa so desperately needs, they’re not great. The statistics highlight that too few learners are opting for critical STEM subjects – maths and science – in Grade 10. This year, of the 255,762 matriculants (out of a total 705,291 Grade 12s) who wrote maths, 69,1% passed (about 177,000) and 44,636 achieved above 60% (17,4%). In science, 200,715 wrote the exams and 31,345 achieved above 60% (15,6%).”He explains that STEM has always been PROTEC’s focus area. Since 1982, the NPO has been committed to growing the pool of successful STEM careers through learner excellence programmes, providing quality educational support to youngsters from schools in the areas where PROTEC operates. To date, more than 40,000 PROTEC alumni are in STEM and related careers across South Africa and further afield. “Our heartfelt congratulations go to all our matriculants, most who attend schools in disadvantaged areas. They have done themselves, their families, and PROTEC very proud,” adds Moodley.

PROTEC’s top matriculants

Banele Ngaka Top Maths 2025 

Khanyelihle Moyo Tongaat 2025

Kutlwano Mpshe Top English 2025 

Noshle Ntuli Tongaat 2025

Top Overall Learner and Joint Top Maths Learner:Nosihle Ntuli from PROTEC Tongaat Branch who attended Sisebenzile Secondary School in Ndwedwe achieved 90% in maths and seven distinctions.Joint

• Top Maths Learner:Vuyo Dwane from the PROTEC Altron Soweto Project who attended Lofentse Girls High School in Orlando, achieved 90% in maths and six distinctions.Joint Top Maths Learner and
• Joint Top English Learner:Ntombenhle Madonsela from PROTEC Altron Soweto who attended Emshukantambo Secondary School in Pimville, achieved 90% in maths, 88% in English and six
• distinctions.Top Physical Science Learner:Khayelihle Moyo from PROTEC Tongaat Branch who attended Nkosibomvu Secondary School in Hambanathi, achieved 91% in physical science and six
• distinctions.Joint Top English Learner:Thobile Phinzi from PROTEC Altron Soweto who attended Fons Luminis Secondary School in Diepkloof, achieved 88% in English and six distinctions.

Learners with seven distinctions:

• Nosihle Ntuli from PROTEC Tongaat who attended Sisebenzile Secondary School in Ndwedwe
• Nosiphiwe Manto Mzobe from PROTEC Tongaat who attended Mashiyamahle High School in Ndwedwe
• Sinokhanyo Sikisi from the PROTEC Zutari Project in East London, Eastern Cape, who attended Byletts Secondary School in Makmxeni
• Ziyanda Ndlovu from PROTEC Mandeni Branch, who attended Tugela Secondary School in Mandeni.

Nosiphiwe Manto Mzobe Tongaat 2025

Ntombenhle Madonsela Top Maths 2024

Okuhle Goba 7 Distinctions 2025

Phinzi Thobile Top English 2024

Growth strategy: On the back of PROTEC’s significant growth in 2024, Moodley says the organisation’s team and board are firmly committed to a refreshed strategy that aims to:

• Accommodate more learners, from primary school through high school.
• Expand educational support, including robotics, AI, and other tech-related fields
• Grow PROTEC’s geographic reach.
• Provide educator support to ensure high standards of teaching in STEM subjects and a greater number of learners reached.
• Respond to needs in the marketplace beyond the public education schooling system.
• Provide continued support of students as they progress through higher education courses.

PROTEC Staff Jan 2025

Sandisiwe NgcoboTongaat 2025

Sinokhanyo Sikisi Top Learner Zutari 2024

Talitha Moosa 7 Distinctions 2025

“While we are now accomplishing some of these aims, PROTEC has always been cognisant of the positive impact that an increase in successful STEM careers has on the country. This simply means that the greater the support we receive from donors, the more learners and teachers we reach and the better the overall outlook for South Africa. It’s a win-win-win.” For more information about PROTEC, please visit www.protec.org.za.

Vuyo Dwane Top Maths 2024

Ziyanda Ndlovu Mandeni Top Learner