Ms Zenceba Ngiwaza whose geography class obtained an impressive 100 percent pass rate.
Ms Zenceba Ngiwaza whose geography class obtained an impressive 100 percent pass rate.
Behind the success of the Matric Class of 2023 are teachers, and among them is University of Fort Hare (UFH) Bachelor of Education graduate, Ms Zenceba Ngiwaza whose geography class obtained an impressive 100 percent pass rate.
The 26-year-old from Lusikisiki graduated from UFH in 2021 with a B.Ed degree, majoring in Geography and isiXhosa. A week before her graduation, she secured a teaching post at Dalubuhle High School in Sheshegu, a small village located in Alice, where she teaches various subjects, including social sciences, life orientation, and mainly geography to multiple grades.
Overall, the school obtained an applaudable 100 percent matric pass.
Speaking to UFH Media, a few days after the National Senior Certificate results were announced last week Thursday, it was evident that Ngiwaza and the school community went above and beyond to attain these successful results.
“Sometimes, to achieve comfort you need to go through uncomfortable situations. I wanted to be there for my class in every way that I could, as such, I sacrificed the comfort of my apartment in town to sleep on a sponge in one of the school classrooms where our learners were camping for extra lessons in preparation for exams.”
“Some of the villagers also opened their homes to accommodate learners who were attending the lessons in the afternoons and early mornings. It was truly a village coming together for a greater good.”
Behind the success of the Matric Class of 2023 are teachers, and among them is University of Fort Hare Bachelor of Education graduate, Ms Zenceba Ngiwaza whose geography class at Dalubuhle High obtained an impressive 100 percent pass.https://t.co/90ViJpz3gU pic.twitter.com/4xBLipAM7i
— University of Fort Hare (@ufh1916) January 23, 2024
During lessons, the learners take centre stage, she says. “When teachers enter the field, we set ourselves goals, and mine is to create a teaching and learning environment that is conducive for learners to succeed, and I use teaching methods that are learner centred. I also ensure that our classroom becomes a space where learners can freely express themselves. At the end of the lesson, I do assessment exercises to ensure no one is left behind.”
Beginning of 2023, Ngiwaza battled mental illness and was booked off for six months and another teacher held the fort for her. She won the battle and returned in the second semester of the school year.
Raised by her late maternal grandmother who valued education, Ngiwaza kept that value and is determined to pass it on to the younger generation. “My grandmother was uneducated and strongly advocated for us to get an education. Even on days that we did not feel like going to school, we knew when it came to her, we had no other option. She was very strict and did not compromise.”
Sadly, her grandmother passed away when she was in matric.
Initially, Ngiwaza’s preferred career choice was social work, however, fate had it otherwise. “I am passionate about working with children and I always wanted to contribute to their social wellbeing and being a social worker was fitting for me at the time. However, when I was accepted for the B.Ed degree, fate decided that I would become a teacher. And now I love it. I still work with children and contribute to positively shaping their minds and empowering them for the future.”
On the day the matric results were released, Ngiwaza says some of her learners reached out to her to thank her for believing in them and some parents also called to express their gratitude.
“During my primary and secondary schooling, I had supportive teachers, and now I want to be that supportive teacher to my learners,” she said.
