A Sowetan Success Story

ACTUARIES ON THE MOVE: A SOWETAN SUCCESS STORY

The ASSA Diversity Committee is tasked with developing initiatives to address the distorted membership profile of the organisation. Its flagship project, developed in conjunction with and sponsored by Metropolitan Life, is "Actuaries on the Move". The project is based on extensive research and analysis. In short, it entails intensive tuition in Mathematics, Science, English, study skills, computer skills and life skills.

The project was launched in Soweto in January 2002, with a group of 40 Grade 11 learners from 12 schools. For the rest of 2002 and during 2003, these learners sacrificed virtually every Saturday and most of their school holidays while they received extra tuition. Yet they persevered, and eventually 37 of them sat the 2003 matric examinations.

Their results may be summarised as follows:

Matric passes: 37/37 100%

Passes with endorsement: 6/37 16,2%

Endorsements with merit: 21/37 56,7%

Endorsements with distinction: 3/37 8%

Subject distinctions: 33/222 14,9%

Distinctions – Mathematics HG: 9/37 24,3%

Distinctions – English L2 HG: 5/37 13,5%

A closer look at the Maths marks reveals that:
Martin Mphaphuli obtained 95% for Mathematics HG;
Mandla Dlamini obtained 93%;
Jasper Mazibuko obtained 92%,
and Mxolisi Mgungunyeka 90%.

Nine candidates obtained B symbols for Maths HG and seven obtained C symbols, bringing the aggregate of A, B and C symbols (i.e. 60% and higher) to 67,5% of the candidates. (Bear in mind that the Maths Centre has concluded that fewer than 1% of the African candidates who enter for Maths HG obtain a mark of 60% or more!)

Martin Mphaphuli obtained five distinctions and Jasper oMazibuko btained four. These two, with Christopher Sako, are the three candidates who passed with an A average. Angela Madega, one of the girls in the group, was also honoured by the Gauteng MEC for Education. She is one of the candidates who obtained a distinction for Mathematics Higher Grade.

Twelve of these learners have chosen to study Actuarial Science. Two are following the B Comm route, one will be studying B Sc and one each will go into engineering and financial mathematics.

ASSA is proud of these learners, whose achievements are the results of hard work and dedication. We are grateful to Metropolitan, who sponsors the programme. We are glad that we could have been part of the process of empowering these learners. An exciting future awaits them as they prepare to fulfil their potential as proud South Africans.

Shining in Soweto:
Top achievers from the first "Actuaries on the Move" matric candidates.
Martin, Christopher, Angela and Jasper

Without the support of schools, parents and communities, these achievements would have been infinitely more difficult.

With our Sowetan stars are:
Mr J Lepheane, principal: Lehtulwazi (left) and Mr M Nesamai, principal: Matsediso. In front is the project manager, friend and "substitute mother", Tshengi Mthembu.