Conrad Strydom might have started school a little later than other kids, but he proved that it’s not the end of your journey but the beginning of greater things.
His early years of education were stalled due to problems with his eyes, which resulted in Strydom only beginning to read at the age of eight.
Now, Strydom is this year’s number one top matric achiever.
“I am really proud and excited. I have worked hard throughout my school career. I worked when in class, revised the work at home and even studied throughout holidays,” said Conrad Strydom, the overall top Grade 12 performer for 2016 and the best achiever in Mathematics.
Strydom, who matriculated from Hermanus High School in the Western Cape said he plans to study physics at the University of Stellenbosch to become a physicist.
He has won awards, such as the South African Physics Olympiad competition this year.
Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga announced a national pass rate of 72.5 percent — up from the 70.7 percent in 2015.
The 2016 pass rate includes progressed learners — those who had failed Grade 11 twice and been pushed through to Grade 12. Excluding the large cache of progressed learners, the pass rate was at 76.2 percent.
The Eastern Cape was the worst performer after achieving a 63.3 pass rate, an increase of 1.1 percent from 62.2 percent in 2015.
Limpopo followed with 68.2 percent, a decline of 3.5 percent from 71.7 percent in 2015.
Western Cape came second and trailed behind Free State with an 87.7 percent, a decline of 0.3 percent from 88 percent in 2015.
Gauteng followed at third place after achieving 87 percent, an increase of 1.1 percent from 85.9 percent in 2015.
Twitter reacts to Strydom and his achievement:
The top learner in the country walking ??across the stage like he just killed Van Damme?????? #MatricResults2016 pic.twitter.com/rKXbNvPmtW
— perpetually shook (@Mpedi_) January 4, 2017
You’re such an inspiration to the kids @bonang_m #ConradStrydom #MatricResults2016 pic.twitter.com/pBMKoFoybp
— ?suspect (@PrudenceNteo) January 4, 2017
#NSC2016 top achiever Conrad Strydom says “I wish I could have gotten more time to spend on my work” #MatricResults2016 pic.twitter.com/YKvDfeOqxK
— Lerato Sejake (@leosejake) January 4, 2017
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