How Buffelsdale Secondary achieved perfect matric results

BUFFELSDALE Secondary School in Tongaat has achieved a remarkable 100% matric pass rate through dedicated teachers who opened their homes to pupils and provided extra classes seven days a week.

This school is transforming its reputation from one associated with drugs and trouble to an institution of academic excellence.

It is situated in an area plagued by drug abuse, poverty and instability, and serves pupils who often arrive hungry, emotionally distressed or without stable homes.

Principal Runganathan Govender said their achievement was as a result of the relentless effort from teachers who routinely went beyond their professional duties.

“When children come to school in the right frame of mind and with the right attitude, we are able to do the work with them. But to get them in that head space, our teachers had to sacrifice a lot. We had extended classes every single day, straight after school until 4pm, Saturday and Sunday classes and lessons throughout all school holidays, including Easter and July.”

According to Govender, some teachers even housed pupils at their homes to ensure they attended school regularly.

“There were cases where pupils had nowhere to stay. Teachers opened their homes so that these children could come to school, eat properly and focus on learning. That kind of commitment is not written into any job description.”

Academically, the school recorded strong subject performances, including a 100% pass rate in English and 94% in Afrikaans.

Funding, however, remained one of the school’s biggest challenges.

“We are sitting with a massive campus that was built for about 1 200 learners, but our current enrolment is around 350. That has serious funding implications. But because of the positive work being done by teachers, word is slowly spreading, and we expect our numbers to grow to 400 soon, and hopefully by 100 pupils each year.”

To address the social challenges faced by pupils, Buffelsdale Secondary partnered with community structures, including Tongaat Child Welfare, the Community Policing Forum (CPF), religious organisations and local businesses.

“We realised we could not do this alone. Local businesses came on board and offered facilities like sports courts for free. Physical education was done there. As long as we provided positive, wholesome opportunities, the community was willing to stand by us.”

Govender, who became principal in May, said his initial focus was on observing systems and strengthening what worked.

“We put a clear vision in place to maintain the 100% pass rate. Our aim was to make this our third consecutive year of achieving 100%.”

The timing was significant, as the school prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary next year.

“We want to celebrate our golden jubilee in style, with three consecutive 100% pass rates. We are also reaching out to former pupils to reconnect and help restore the school to its former glory.”

Of the 41 matriculants in the class of 2025, 56% achieved bachelor passes, 14% diploma passes and four obtained higher certificate passes.

The top achievers of the matric class of 2025 said this achievement was a turning point in their lives.

Kaylee Jeena King said: “It was stressful but I prioritised studying above everything else. This was my last chance to make something of myself.”

Kaylee will be studying law at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

Qhawe Ndimande, described the achievement as both emotional and empowering.

“I am happy that I am done with school, but it is also scary to face the real world. We had challenges, including a strike during the exams, but our teachers kept calling us in on Saturdays and motivating us. I am very proud to be part of a 100% pass school.”

Priyanka Munthree, who plans to study electronic engineering at the Durban University of Technology, said perseverance carried her through an exceptionally difficult year.

“I lost my grandmother the morning before I wrote my physics paper. But my family and teachers believed in me, and I could not let all that hard work go to waste. Hard work always pays off. Do not quit, even when it feels overwhelming.”

Juan Jacobs Wilhelm Hamel, who moved from Johannesburg to Tongaat, said adapting to a new environment and the language was one of his biggest challenges.

“People said that the pupils did not study and that they use drugs, smoke, and get into fights. I am not the kind of person who studies a lot. But I found that waking up early in the morning and studying worked best for me. My parents were my main support system. I am the oldest and the first one in my family to finish matric, so that meant a lot.”

He plans to take a short break this year before pursuing culinary school. 

This year’s matric pupil Sanelisiwe Maluieka said they were committed to obtaining the same results

“It is a lot of pressure. The 2025 results pushes us not to disappoint the teachers and the school. I will manage, because I have study routines and my family has been supporting me for a long time.”

Sanelisiwe, who walks about 30 minutes to school each day, leaves home at 6.30am to arrive on time. Despite the long walk and early mornings, she remains focused on her goals.

“I hope to study medicine next year.”

Fellow matriculant Nicolan Siva said the school’s success had motivated him to work harder than ever before.

He has already drawn up a study timetable and revises work daily.

“People only know this school for drugs and bad behaviour. But now we want them to know us for our results. This school is more than the negative narratives people talk about. It brings us down. Know us for our academic success,” said Nicolan.

The POST