180,585 candidates wrote Physical Science as a matric subject in 2011, with 53.4% achieving a mark of 30% and above while 33.8% achieved 40% or more. (Report on the National Senior Certificate Examination results, 2011)

This week’s theme: Matric 2011

224,635 candidates wrote Mathematics as a matric subject in 2011 and 46.3% achieved a mark of 30% and above. 275,380 candidates wrote Mathematical Literacy where 85.9% achieved a mark of 30% and above. (Report on the National Senior Certificate Examination 2011)

This week’s theme: Matric 2011

Despite more females than males writing the 2011 NSC examination (265,244 versus 230,846), males achieved a higher pass rate (71.9% versus 68.6%). (Report on the National Senior Certificate Examination 2011)

This week’s theme: Matric 2011

South Africa’s matric pass rate in 2011 was 70.2%, up from 67.8% in 2010. The best-performing province was the Western Cape with a pass rate of 82.9% while the poorest performing was the Eastern Cape with 58.1%. (Report on the National Senior Certificate Examination 2011)

This week’s theme: Matric 2011

South Africa’s matric pass rate in 2011 for the state-set National Senior Certificate was 70.2% while for those in private schools who wrote the Independent Examinations Board matric exams, the pass rate was 98.15%. (http://bit.ly/ws4NXU)

This week’s theme: Matric 2011

Starbucks currently operates over 16,000 locations worldwide. Before the 2008 economic crash, Starbucks was opening 6 new locations every day – now they only open about 2 or 3 a day. (http://sbux.co/sp6ZPU, http://bit.ly/voaJqo)

This week’s theme: Coffee crazy

South Africa is ranked 105 in terms of per capita consumption of coffee (0.4 kg per year), ranked 55 in terms of per capita consumption of tea (0.51 kg per year), and ranked 23 in terms of per capita consumption of beer (59.2 litres per year). (http://bit.ly/dc0Oew, http://bit.ly/rJ02XS, Kirin Brewery Company))

This week’s theme: Coffee crazy

18.7 million South African adults drink instant coffee daily. The most popular brands are Ricoffy and Frisco, consumed daily by 9.5 million and 7.4 million adults respectively. (AMPS2011)

This week’s theme: Coffee crazy

The highest price ever paid for an auctioned coffee was in 2010 when a lot from the Panamanian Estate, Hacienda La Esmerelda, sold for US$170.00/pound. (coffee.stoneworks.com)

This week’s theme: Coffee crazy

70% of TopEnders say they are always on the look out for suspicious looking people. 8% carry a weapon for self-defence. (RamsayMedia TopEnd Survey 2011)

This week’s theme: TopEnd Survey 2011