Probably the strongest message that I have received from the Coega Maths and Science Programme (MSP) is that failure is just another opportunity to do better next time!
In a nutshell, the MSP – a no-fee CDC CSI Initiative run by Eldon September – accepts pupils who have done well in subjects other than Maths and Science and then gives these pupils a second chance to get a better Grade 12 result by repeating their School-Based Assessment (SBA) and sit for the National Senior Certificate examinations as part-time candidates at the end of the year.
From personal experience in my home I can attest that this approach often does bring exemplary results and a renewed sense of pride and maturity in the pupil. Young John elected to repeat Grade 7 last year and has grown in leaps and bounds as he re-affirmed the core learning required to pass and went from bottom to top.
This morning MSP celebrated their Class of 2025 with a certificate handover and celebrated 4 Distinctions – 3 in Maths and 1 in Science)
2025’s Top Three learners were:
- Cassey Barbier: Maths 91%, Sciences 85%
- Alizwa Spelmandla: Maths 87%, Sciences 72%
- Simengemalenkosi Mgoduka: Maths 82%, Science 74%
For the past four years the programme has produced a 100% pass rate.
The split between male and female for 2025 was 80% Female and 20% Male.
The Coega Maths and Science Programme (MSP) is a flagship Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiative run by the Coega Development Corporation (CDC). It is specifically designed as a “second chance” school for matriculants who wish to improve their Grade 12 results in Mathematics and Physical Science.
Located at the Coega Skills Development Centre in Gqeberha, the program aims to bridge the gap between high school and tertiary education, particularly for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Core Objectives:
Upgrading Results: To help learners improve their marks to meet the entry requirements for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) degrees.
Skills Development: To address the critical shortage of scarce skills in South Africa by feeding more students into technical and engineering fields.
Community Upliftment: By offering the program at no cost, it removes financial barriers for families in the Nelson Mandela Bay area.
The school follows an intensive, full-time curriculum that mirrors the traditional academic year:
Classes typically run from February to October, Monday to Friday (08h00 – 16h00).
The focus is exclusively on Mathematics and Physical Science.
Learners repeat their School-Based Assessment (SBA) and sit for the National Senior Certificate examinations as part-time candidates at the end of the year.
The program is highly regarded for its “catalytic” impact on students’ lives.
The program has recently maintained a 100% pass rate for three consecutive years (2022–2024).
Distinctions:
The Class of 2023 produced 10 distinctions in Mathematics, with several students jumping from failing grades to scores above 70% or 80%. 2024 produced 9 Maths Distinctions and 4 Science Distinctions.
Admission Requirements:
To be eligible for the program, applicants usually need to meet the following criteria:
- Full Matric Completion: You must have passed all other Grade 12 subjects.
- Minimum Threshold: Applicants must have scored at least 20% in Mathematics and Physical Science in their previous attempt.
- Residency: Preference is strongly given to residents of Nelson Mandela Bay.
- Documents: Requires a statement of matric results and a South African ID copy.
Location & Contact Information:
The program is facilitated at the Coega Human Capital Solutions (HCS) Building:
- Physical Address: Zone 4, Coega Special Economic Zone (SEZ), Gqeberha.
- Email: eldon.september@coega.co.za or info.msp@coega.co.za
- Web Site: https://coega.co.za
- Application Window: Usually opens in mid-January each year for a limited intake (traditionally around 100 learners).
Images:
2025’s Top Three learners were: Cassey Barbier, Alizwa Spelmandla and Simengemalenkosi Mgoduka. Photo: Alan Straton
Video:
I interviewed the Top Three – see below:
Links:
Boilerplate and Editor’s Notes.
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