“It is a privilege to stand before you tonight as we celebrate excellence, dedication, and the unwavering pursuit of success in education,” stated Executive Mayor, Ald (Dr) Elna von Schlicht, as she addressed the class of 2024, their parents, teachers, and invited guests at the annual CWDM Top Achievers Awards Ceremony held at Paarl Town Hall on Thursday, 6 February 2025.
“The achievements we recognise tonight are not just individual triumphs but a testament to the commitment of our schools, teachers, and communities in shaping a brighter future for our young people in the Cape Winelands District. To every student sitting here today, know that we are incredibly proud of you. You are the future leaders, innovators, and changemakers of our region,” the Mayor continued.
The annual Top Achievers Awards Ceremony stands as testament to the remarkable accomplishments of the highest achieving matriculants at all high schools in the district.
In addition to receiving certificates and gift bags, the class of 2024 are beneficiaries of the Mayoral Study Aid Fund. This fund was implemented in 2024 and aims to provide a beacon of hope, illuminating the path to higher education for exceptional achievers, thereby advancing the educational landscape of the Cape Winelands District. Each learner received a noteworthy study aid grant of R20 000, which will be transferred directly to their respective institutions or courses.
The top three Grade 12 learners of 2024 in the Cape Winelands District are: In first place, Jo-Marie du Toit from Charlie Hofmeyer High School in Ceres; in second place, Emma Loubscher from Paarl Girls’ High School in Paarl, and in third place, Stefan Burden from HTS Drostdy in Worcester.
Jo-Marie du Toit had the following message for the class of 2025: “Your final year will be busy and may get overwhelming. It is important to find the people in your life that you can lean on, and to lean on them. Support from teachers, family, and friends will be important to get you through.”
This sentiment was reiterated by both Emma Loubscher and Stefan Burden, as both learners accredited a large part of their successful results to the support and encouragement of those in their close circles.
The Mayor presented two Special Mayoral Awards to educators in the district. One of the awards was presented to Irma Mentoor from Ligstraal School in Paarl East in honour of her visionary leadership and commitment to excellence in special needs advocacy and support. The other award went to Lalindei Botha from La Rochelle Girls’ Primary School in recognition of her excellence in technology-enhanced teaching and learning.
In closing, the Cape Winelands District Municipality extends its heartfelt congratulations to all the award recipients. Your hard work and dedication have set a high standard for future students. We look forward to seeing the incredible contributions you will make in your respective fields and communities.
