POLITICS

Campaign to support Grade 12s to finish their matric year – Alan Winde

WCape Premier says class of 2020 has faced many challenges and disruptions throughout this school year

Media Release: Update on the coronavirus by Premier Alan Winde

5 October 2020

As of 1pm on 5 October, the Western Cape has 2350 active COVID-19 infections with a total of 110 831 confirmed cases and 104 273 recoveries.

Total confirmed COVID-19 cases

110 831

Total recoveries

104 273

Total deaths

4208

Total active cases (currently infected patients)

2350

Tests conducted

551 478

Hospitalisations

Today: data delayed

Sunday: 520 with 111 of these in ICU or high care

Saturday: 516 with 112 in ICU or high care

Cape Metro Sub-districts:

 Sub-district

Cases

 

Recoveries

Western

9757

 9168

Southern

9964

 9324

Northern

6891

6537

Tygerberg

13603

 12860

Eastern

10413

 9838

Klipfontein

9317

 8649

Mitchells Plain

8753

 8261

Khayelitsha

8405

 7953

Total

77103

72590

Sub-districts:

 District

 Sub-district

Cases

Recoveries

Garden Route

Bitou

627

597

Garden Route

Knysna

1559

1487

Garden Route

George

3614

3397

Garden Route

Hessequa

325

303

Garden Route

Kannaland

125

112

Garden Route

Mossel Bay

2396

2271

Garden Route

Oudsthoorn

1455

1317

Cape Winelands

Stellenbosch

2121

2000

Cape Winelands

Drakenstein

4418

4182

Cape Winelands

Breede Valley

3484

3314

Cape Winelands

Langeberg

1168

1099

Cape Winelands

Witzenberg

1635

1536

Overberg

Overstrand

1637

1569

Overberg

Cape Agulhas

295

275

Overberg

Swellendam

354

327

Overberg

Theewaterskloof

1194

1139

West Coast

Bergrivier

459

412

West Coast

Cederberg

168

162

West Coast 

Matzikama

575

444

West Coast

Saldanha Bay Municipality

1410

1324

West Coast

Swartland

1638

1521

Central Karoo

Beaufort West

771

647

Central Karoo

Laingsburg

140

132

Central Karoo

Prince Albert

34

29

Unallocated: 2136 (2087 recovered)

Data note: It is not always possible to check and verify that the address data supplied for each new recorded case is correct, within the time frames required to provide regular and timely updates. This means that in some instances, cases could be allocated to the wrong sub-districts. We are working with the sub-districts to clean and verify the data and where errors are picked up locally, cases will be re-allocated to the correct areas. 

The Western Cape has recorded an additional 5 deaths, bringing the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in the province to 4208. We send our condolences to their families and friends at this time.

Campaign to support Grade 12s to finish their matric year:

The Western Cape Department of Education, under the leadership of Minister Debbie Schafer, has launched a new campaign aimed at encouraging the Class of 2020 to finish their matric year. The #CommitToFinish campaign is aimed at encouraging, motivating and supporting Grade 12 learners up until the final NSC examinations.

The Class of 2020 has faced many challenges and disruptions throughout this school year and despite this, we have seen learners and teachers alike show real courage and commitment to learning- from self-study, to home schooling and learning through various social media platforms. I have no doubt that the Class of 2020 is tough, driven, innovative and resilient, and we want to see them use these attributes to really shine in their final exams. 

My message to matrics today is this: You have come so far and the finish line is within your reach. Pushing through now will all be worth it in the end.  As the campaign message states- You will thank yourself later.

The new campaign imagines a Future You or an older version of the matriculant, thanking them for making the choice to finish.

Using the AE Face Tool,  three Grade 12 learners from Parel Vallei High School were filmed and their faces transformed into an older-looking version of themselves. This allowed their future selves to thank their younger selves for making the choice to finish their matric year.

Matric learners can pledge their commitment to finish on a dedicated website (www.CommitToFinish.co.za) where they will also be able to access NSC exam information, matric support resources as well as the E-portal.

The campaign is running on social media platforms, on billboards and is being shared directly to matrics via SMS and in emails to schools. Each learner will also receive an exam support booklet encouraging them to #CommitToFinish. This booklet also provides exam advice, bursary options and past papers for eight high-enrolment subjects. (English Home Language, Afrikaans First Additional Language, Accounting, Business Studies, Geography, History, Life Sciences, Mathematics, Mathematical Literacy and Physical Sciences.)

With less than a month to go until the exams, I would like to wish our matric class well and call on parents, friends and communities who know someone currently in matric, to offer them the support and encouragement they need to finish their school career strong.

World Teacher's Day:

Today, I would like to send a special message to each and every teacher in this province to say thank you for the work that you do and to acknowledge the lives that you have helped change. 

Throughout the pandemic, we have heard remarkable stories of teachers doing amazing things to help their pupils continue learning. Since the beginning of the lockdown, we have seen teachers present lessons via social media and radio. Others have worked hard to ensure that learners receive learning materials at home, while others have become active in helping feed their communities. 

On behalf of the Western Cape, I would like to express my gratitude for all that you do in ensuring that our children and our young people are learning the knowledge and skills that will set them up for success in the future.

Issued by Western Cape Office of the Premier, 5 October 2020