Raluswielo’s remarkable journey from failure to top achievement

Raluswielo Secondary School’s matric results show what strong support and partnerships can achieve. In 2024 the school in Sibasa had a low senior‑exam pass rate of 28.6%. But in 2025 that figure jumped to 79.5%.

In 2024, only 22 of the school’s 77 Grade 12 learners passed. The 2025 results are almost the opposite, with many students earning bachelor’s and diploma passes that open real opportunities for higher education and skills training.

The turning point came in 2023, when Raluswielo was officially adopted by the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation’s Adopt‑a‑School initiative.

The Adopt‑a‑School Foundation is a long‑running programme that supports disadvantaged schools by improving learning environments, school leadership, infrastructure, teaching and social services. It uses a model known as Whole School Development to tackle barriers to learning such as poor facilities, weak school governance and lack of support services. The programme works with government, private partners and communities to create better conditions for teaching and learning.

The improvement at Raluswielo Secondary did not happen by chance. Everyone had a role, showing that when responsibility is shared, results improve. At the heart of the change was the belief that every child, no matter where they live or their circumstances, deserves a good education.

Adopt‑a‑School Foundation spokesperson Zelda Jacobs said education improvement is often treated as a short‑term fix. “Raluswielo shows that real change happens when the whole school works together,” she said.

School principal Thomas Mudzwari said the partnership gave the school the support and tools it had long needed. “This changed how we lead, how we teach, and how our learners believe in themselves. These results show what can happen when a school is truly supported,” he said.

Banyana Mohajane, executive of programmes at the Adopt‑a‑School Foundation, said the three‑year turnaround took commitment, patience and teamwork. “It was not easy. Everyone had to trust each other and work together to make it happen,” she said.

Date:31 January 2026

By: Silas Nduvheni

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