Merensky (Tzaneen)

Merensky High School in Tzaneen, Limpopo. Listen, when your school is sitting in Tzaneen, you already know the vibe. You are not in Cape Town with mountain views and artisan coffee. You are in lychee country, sweating through your school shirt, wondering if the mango tree outside counts as shade or just a promise. Now 1315 learners and only 67 teachers. That is a 19.6 to 1 ratio, which means your teacher is basically a taxi driver, just stuffing one more learner in before pulling off. "Maak plek, maak plek, there is still space in the back." Your teacher is trying to explain calculus to nearly 20 kids at once and someone in the back row is definitely asleep with their eyes open. We have all been that kid. But here is where I have to give it up because a 100% matric pass rate is not a joke, that is actually a flex. The whole class passed. Every single one. In Limpopo. With those ratios. While the rest of the country is out here celebrating 60% like it is a banger. Merensky said no child left behind and they meant it. The teachers must be working like they are getting double pay, which we all know they are absolutely not. Overall verdict: A sweaty, overcrowded school in the heart of lychee country that somehow produces a 100% pass rate, which means Merensky is either doing something very right or the lychees have special powers.