President’s message to dropouts: complete your matric
President Cyril Ramaphosa visited Tembisa this week on a door-to-door campaign and used the opportunity to press a simple, direct point to young people: complete your matric. During his walkabout, he emphasised the role of education in expanding opportunities, urging those who left school early to return and finish their Grade 12.
The president’s visit focused on personal outreach in neighbourhoods across the township. While the engagement formed part of broader campaign activity, Ramaphosa highlighted education as a cornerstone for improving life chances for young residents. According to the report of the visit, he said education could create pathways to employment and further study.
"Finish matric, education ‘can open many doors’"
The message is familiar in Tembisa, where families and community organisations have long campaigned for better schooling outcomes and higher pass rates at matric level. Local schools, non-governmental initiatives and civic leaders regularly raise concerns about learners dropping out before completing Grade 12 — a trend that narrows future options, from formal employment to tertiary study or vocational training.
What the message means for Tembisa residents
For many households in the township, the president’s call will be judged against the day-to-day realities of schooling: overcrowded classrooms, transport costs, the need for learners to contribute to household income and the strain on parents trying to support education amid rising living costs. While national leaders can encourage participation, local support systems and programmes are essential to turn encouragement into results.
- Students: The appeal targets learners who have left school early and encourages re-enrolment and completion of matric.
- Parents and caregivers: Completing matric can improve prospects for children but often requires logistical and financial support at home.
- Community organisations: NGOs and local groups may use the momentum from high-profile visits to push for practical interventions, such as catch-up classes or bursary support.
Local education stakeholders routinely call for more targeted interventions to reduce dropout rates, including after-school programmes, counselling for at-risk learners and stronger links between schools and local employers to demonstrate the value of a matric qualification.
| Issue | Local impact |
|---|---|
| Dropout rates | Reduce future employment and study options for youth |
| Cost of schooling | Barrier for many households in Tembisa |
| Community support | Crucial to translate national messaging into tangible outcomes |
While a presidential appeal can raise awareness, residents and local leaders told reporters after the visit that concrete measures are needed to keep learners in school — from transport subsidies and feeding schemes to stronger career guidance in lower grades. The challenge is to convert encouragement into sustained action that reduces dropouts and improves matric throughput.
The visit also reminded political observers in Tembisa that education remains a potent campaign message. As household budgets tighten and competition for scarce jobs intensifies, Grade 12 remains a basic credential for many entry-level opportunities. Local activists said they hope the president’s words will be followed by renewed focus on implementing programmes that address the root causes of school leaving.
For now, the president’s door-to-door appeal puts the spotlight back on finishing school. In a township where thousands of young people aspire to better futures, the simplest message — return to school and complete your matric — is one that parents, learners and community leaders will be watching closely to see whether it is matched by concrete support.
