Johannesburg — Passing matric with 80% score, the highest level of pass innthe South African education system, is a milestone that every matriculant dreams of achieving.
For parents, the pride and joy of watching their child conquer this challenge is indescribable. This was especially true for South African actress and television star Khanyi Mbau, whose daughter Khanukani, affectionately known as Khanz, has emerged as one of the national top matric achievers for 2024.
Khanukani, who sat for her final exams last year alongside 870,000 other matric learners, passed her matric with an A-aggregate and 80% admission points score (APS). The results were released on Tuesday, January 14, and Mzansi’s beloved media personality couldn’t contain her excitement. Khanyi, who stars in the hit Netflix series Young, Famous & African, shared her heartfelt response with her over five million plus Instagram followers: “To my little girl Khanz, congratulations on passing matric and doing so well. Thank you for making me a proud mommy #Classof2024.”
Her excitement was palpable in her interview with TimesLIVE, stating: “I cried I got so emotional. That we made it, I never imagined raising Khanz alone and I never imagined I would pull through for her. My little human made me so proud. I am still so teary,” she said.
Khanyi also opened up about her parenting philosophy and the unwavering support she provided to Khanz throughout her matric year. “She was stepping to war and she had to come out as a victor. I told her grade 12 is nothing but revision of everything she knows. I also made the support she needed available from tutors to extra classes,” she tells TimesLIVE.
The journey wasn’t always easy. Khanyi reflected on the challenges of being a single mother, balancing life’s demands while ensuring her daughter had everything she needed to succeed. “Being a single mom and having to be an all-rounder, from expensive school fees and also giving my child a normal and balanced life, those are some of the challenges I’ve faced as a parent — but we made it. I would like to thank the staff from her school. My mother has been such a champ in the journey.”
As Khanukani prepares to embark on a gap year filled with travel, Khanyi shared her plans to reward her daughter’s hard work and help her explore the world. “She is going to travel the world for 13 months, see and understand how big and diverse it is, and that should help guide her into her passion and interests in her career.”
Khanyi’s once questioned parenting style vindicated?
Khanyi Mbau’s unconventional parenting approach, once heavily criticised, may become a focul point given her daughter”s impressive matric performance. The good news comes years after Khanyi faced scrutiny on ‘Young, Famous & African’ for allowing her then 15-year-old daughter to live independently in her apartment.
Khanyi’s stance on parenting, emphasising autonomy and self-discovery, drew mixed reactions at the time. She explained, “We allow Khanz to be herself, if she wants to try stuff, I mean anything … we let her try it. Cause we want to see who this person is.”
She also shared her liberal views on sensitive topics involving teenage dating, highlighting the importance of personal choices.
Now, with her daughter’s academic success, Khanyi’s forward-thinking approach may spark conversations about various parenting styles and their impact on nurturing independence and responsibility in young adults.
And for Khanz, with matric now behind her, she can look forward to a bright future filled with many possibilities, taking on more responsibility, and making even bigger decisions by herself — while Khanyi continues to entertain and inspire South Africans across the nation.
For this proud mother-daughter duo, this is only the beginning of even greater achievements.
Unhappy with your results and want a remark?
Matriculants who are unhappy with their results, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) is currently accepting requests for Matric 2024 exam paper re-marks and re-checks, and they have until January 28, 2025 to apply.
Detailed instructions can be found on the reverse side of their statement of results, or alternatively through DBE e-services portal at www.eservices.gov.za.
