Matric results used to be a frenzy of scrabbling through newspapers, scanning lists or phoning relatives. This year an estimated 150 000 matriculants will be able to get their results by e-mail, online or by SMS, order a bottle of celebratory champagne and explore their tertiary study options - without moving from a computer screen.
Bolstered by the presence of South African search portal Ananzi and the Sunday Times, the official matric results website run by ECnet, www.matric.co.za - which recorded some 3 million page impressions last year - is gearing up for an even bigger onslaught this year as the class of 2000 logs in to check their results from cyber caf'es, community centres, friend`s homes and hotels across South Africa and abroad.
The matric results data will be secured and supplied directly by PQ Africa`s e-commerce provider ECnet, while Ananzi and the Sunday Times will provide access to the results through their own sites as they are released on 29 December.
Ananzi is also providing free e-mail addresses to students who previously depended on their school`s facilities for access in a move that Ananzi Business Unit Manager Mark Buwalda says "supports the drive towards the Internet becoming an integral part of South African`s lifestyles."
Initially developed as the official source of results for the media and tertiary education institutions, the matric website has grown into a massive success story which has seen website operator ECnet preparing its systems to meet the anticipated demand.
This improved functionality will see the website again offering matriculants their full report cards, including symbols, available online at no cost. Students will have to provide their candidate number and identity number to use this service. In addition, previous years matric results can be obtained.
Students using the website will also be able to get entry into a Christmas competition which runs until 12 December (www.cybergifts.co.za).
Bruce Sutherland, ECnet`s facilities manager, says the growing demand for results online is a reflection of increasing web-savviness among South African scholars.
"We estimate that more than 100 000 pupils have e-mail addresses, and those who don`t can obtain a free e-mail address from Ananzi. In addition, pupils can register and obtain their results via SMS or visit the site on 29 December.
This year`s website will again supply names, addresses and contact numbers of universities, technikons and other tertiary institutions to facilitate easy enrolment and help candidates explore study options without the slog of waiting for brochures to be posted to them.
The results will also be channelled to universities and tertiary education institutions to streamline the acceptance of first year students, says Sutherland.
"The instant access to information that the Internet provides makes education the ideal breeding ground for this medium," says Sutherland. "What this service means is that matrics don`t have to be near their schools - or even in an area where newspapers are circulated - to get their results. And as the site will stay up for a full year, pupils and institutions can refer to the information at any time."
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ECnet
ECnet (www.ecnet.co.za) provides connectivity, web hosting, design, secure transaction management, full back office integration and is a first tier ISP. Being part of PQ Africa`s eCommerce Division, ECnet is well equipped to enhance the clients` electronic business operations providing a fully-fledged electronic commerce solution.
A comprehensive suite of transaction management services is offered including: advanced security, complete order management, on-line customer service, record keeping, flexible purchasing and payment models, shipping calculation, as well as business reporting.
The list of merchants using ECnet`s back-office transaction management processing services can be found in ECnet`s business directory (www.ecnetwork.co.za)
Ananzi
Ananzi, (www.ananzi.co.za) which started life as South Africa`s original Internet search engine, has evolved to become the country`s premier search portal, serving up the best of the local Web through its search engine offering and its shopping, lifestyle, entertainment, personal finance and news zones.
Part of the Johnnic Group, Ananzi forms an integral part of Johnnic e-Ventures` ambitious business-to-consumer online plans, which include the creation of an Ananzi e-commerce hub and various ventures, partnerships, e-commerce activities, online information and services.
As part of its ongoing commitment to innovate its users` Internet experience, Ananzi recently added a Startpage feature (www.startpage.co.za), which introduces the concept of mobile bookmarks and comprehensive startpage personalisation to South African Internet users.