Coega Maths and Science Programme achieves 100% pass rate - 2023 Applications are Open!

Coega Maths and Science Educators Celebrate with Top Learners: Left to right, Mr Washington Mushwana (Maths Facilitator), Seth Johnson (Top Learner), Abongile Breakfast (Maths Facilitator), Caylee Bezuidenhout (Top Learner), Mr Eldon September (Science Facilitator), Zandile Mdyongolo (Top Learner), Phiwokuhle Makhaza (Programme Administrator), Nondyebo Ntshobodi (Programme Administrator)

Gqeberha, South Africa, 24 January 2023 - The Coega Development Corporation (CDC) has announced that applications for its Maths and Science Programme (MSP) for 2023 are now open. The Coega MSP offers matriculants a unique opportunity to improve their Grade 12 Mathematics and Physical Science results.

The MSP Class of 2022, who received their results last week Friday, generated five distinctions in Mathematics and four distinctions in Physical Science. Twenty-three learners achieved above 70% in both Mathematics and Physical Science, with an overall Maths and Science Programme pass rate of 100%.

Since the inception of the MSP in 2013, thousands of learners have been able to improve their results, secure acceptance at various tertiary institutions to study their preferred courses and have continued in their careers to do very well in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields.

“This year, we will be recruiting 100 learners to join the 2023 Coega Maths and Science Programme. We are confident that with our support, they can upgrade the quality of their Matric results to be eligible for the tertiary courses and future careers of their choosing,” says Mr. Eldon September, Coega MSP Facilitator.

To apply: Learners must submit their statement of matric results as well as a copy of their South African identity document by hand to security at the Coega Human Capital Solutions (HCS) Building in Zone 4 of the Coega SEZ in Gqeberha, or via email to [email protected]. MSP enrolment for 2023 will close on 31 January 2023, and preference will be offered to residents of the Nelson Mandela Bay area. A strict selection process will be followed.

With the MSP’s focus being on Mathematics and Physical Science, one of the requirements for learners to be considered is completion of Grade 12, and students must have passed all subjects well, except Mathematics and Physical Science (which they need to have scored above 20%).

Congratulations to the Coega Maths and Science Programme Class of 2022 top three learners, Seth Johnson, Zandile Mdyongolo, and Caylee Bezuidenhout.

Seth Johnson (19), who resides in Westering in Gqeberha, has been accepted to study Medicine at Nelson Mandela University (NMU) this year. Johnson was able to improve his Mathematics marks from 60% to 90% and his Physical Science marks from 59% to 85%. Johnson expressed his excitement and how the Coega MSP has changed his life: “I am extremely excited because this is life changing for me, now my dreams are coming true. The Programme gave an opportunity to become what I want in life and assisted me career wise, and I am so grateful”.

Zandile Mdyongolo (19), who will be pursuing BSC in Medical Science at the University of the Western Cape, achieved 80% in Mathematics and 76% in Physical Science. She shared a word of encouragement to recent matriculants who did not obtain the results they had hoped for: “It is not the end of the of the world. For those who wish to upgrade their Maths and Science results, there is Coega MSP that can assist you to achieve your goals and align you with the desired career. I am one of the learners who benefited from the Programme.”

Caylee Bezuidenhout (19), who obtained both 79% in Maths and Physical Science has been accepted for both Medicine and BSC Biochemistry at Rhodes University. Caylee shared the following about her journey: “It has been such an emotional journey because I cannot believe that I made it. The Coega MSP educators have been so motivating in ensuring that we succeeded, thanks to Coega for such a great initiative.”

In 2022, The New York Academy of Sciences estimated that sub-Saharan Africa needed 2.5-million more engineers alone to address the continent’s development problems. The Coega MSP is a flagship Coega Corporate Social Investment programme that seeks to respond to challenges faced by communities in education, skills development, and overall socio-economic upliftment within communities.

“The CDC has facilitated this Programme for 10 years. This has led to an increased number of new entrants seeking to improve their marks in Maths and Science, which is in line with our goal to help them pursue stimulating occupations in line with Coega’s vision of being a leading catalyst for the championing of socio-economic development,” concludes, September.

Coega MSP classes commence in February 2023, and will continue through to October 2023, Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 16:00.