Never allow your background to determine your future, those are the words of Nande Popo (18), who became one of the 2022 Engen Maths and Science School’s top national achievers.
Popo, the former Mfuleni High School learner, was among a group of learners recognised during the Engen Maths and Science School (EMSS) award ceremony held at Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT, Cape Town Campus) on Saturday 18 February, to honour Grade 10-12 EMSS learners in the Western Cape.
She received 97% for Maths, 92% for Physical Science and 87% for English during the 2022 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations.
Popo attributed her success to hard work and dedication.
“I knew I would have good marks, but I didn’t expect to be among the top achievers. I worked hard during the final exams even though it wasn’t easy. But I was so focused on my studies,” said Popo.
She said she was surprised when she was called to the podium during the ceremony.
“I went to the ceremony because I was invited. I was surprised when I received the good news as one of the top achievers in the country. It’s something that I will cherish my entire life,” she said.
Popo praised the EMSS extra classes for doing a great job, particularly in the townships.
“I joined the programme last year. It helped me a lot because they have resources in terms of textbooks and tutors as well. So, whatever we were taught at school we revised it again during their EMSS extra classes.
Popo, who is doing medicine at the University of Cape Town (UCT), urged other learners to work hard and focus on their studies.
Engen’s manager of Transformation and Stakeholder Engagement, Dr James Nyawera explains that the EMSS programme focuses specifically on providing extra tuition in ‘gateway’ subjects such as mathematics and science.
“These subjects are considered critical in addressing the country’s technical and engineering skills shortage as well as spurring economic growth and development. The EMSS programme seeks to harness the potential of talented young people in difficult circumstances and to also contribute to the pool of scarce skills in the country,” said Nyawera.
He said the EMSS programme’s crucial role and relevance were highlighted after recent statistics from the Department of Basic Education (DBE) indicated that more learners are opting to write maths literacy, which increased by 108 642 learners between 2020 and 2022 compared to pure maths, which only increased by 36 419 learners over that time.
Nyawera said pupils who passed pure maths also dipped from 57.6% in 2021 to 55% last year.
