Middelburg – The Steve Tshwete 2 Circuit has consistently ridden high on success, proudly claiming the top spot in Nkangala district for an impressive fourth year in a row, and taking home accolades for being the top-performing circuit.
In 2025 the circuit celebrated a remarkable 97% pass rate, securing first-place finish in Nkangala District and second place in the province. In 2024, the circuit saw a solid 95% pass rate, earning it third place provincially and once again leading the district rankings. Notably, this represented a 3,9% rise from the outstanding 2023 results, where it held the top position in both the province and district.
But what’s been the receipt for this excellence?
Highveld Chronicle spoke to Daniel Makuse, Circuit Manager and former principal of Phumelela Secondary School in Rockdale. “When I was employed at Phumelela, the school was performing at 18% but with the team that I worked with, we were able to take the school from 18% to 96,3%. In 2019, I then made the shift to be a circuit manager after I realised that I can make a bigger contribution.”
He now oversees a total of 19 schools and seven Further Education and Training (FET) high schools spread across Middelburg (4) and Hendrina/Kwazamokuhle (3).
Makuse explained that establishing clear goals and targets, motivating both learners and educators regularly, and conducting mock exams with past question papers from at least three different provinces are part of the strategies behind his circuit’s top performance over the years. This strategy also includes organising monitored study sessions, and diligently tracking student performance.
Makuse emphasised that the success of his circuit is largely due to the unwavering dedication, commitment and passion of the school principals and educators involved.
“I have the best team of principals and educators. We all strive to succeed because our mantra states ‘every child matters’ and we want to live up to that mantra,” he said. “Our schools are regularly supported where I engage with grade 12 learners every term to gauge, monitor and track their progress, motivate them where possible. One on one sessions are held with educators for support purposes. In some instances parent meetings are held where we meet and discuss how the learner/child can be supported. Subject advisors help in supporting educators.”
Key strategies behind the success – He explained that they actively engage in consultative meetings with teachers, students, and their parents, where they collaboratively set ambitious targets for success. To enhance learning, they organise additional classes for students where they implement several strategies:
Baseline assessment – Assess students’ understanding of previously covered material.
Practice papers – Provide learners with at least three past question papers from various provinces, including Free State and Gauteng, to familiarise them with different formats.
Differentiation – Group students based on their performance levels to tailor their teaching methods.
Expert educators – Enlist top-performing educators to tackle challenging subjects effectively.
Focus on easy questions – Concentrate on mastering the questions that are easier to score.
Increased assessments – Ensure frequent evaluations, prompt moderation, and instant feedback to keep students on track.
Subject advisors – Different subject advisors coach and guide students to improve their understanding.
Motivation – Inspire learners to stay motivated and passionate about their studies.
Performance incentives – Recognise and reward exceptional performance.
Teacher support – Provide continuous support for our educators to enhance their teaching strategies, and also engage in peer teaching.
“By fostering this collaborative and supportive environment, we’re committed to helping every student thrive,” he said. “I just want to say, in life, never underestimate what you can achieve. A person just needs dedication, commitment and focus. With planning, we can achieve everything and anything under the sun. Let’s keep on working together for the benefit of our learners.”
