Some of the country’s top-performing Grade 12 learners say they feel excited and honoured to be recognised among South Africa’s best academic achievers.
The learners were hosted at a ministerial breakfast celebrating the Class of 2025 at MTN Headquarters in Fairlands, Johannesburg. Newsnote spoke to several of the top achievers about their journeys and future aspirations.
Temogo Matong from Morokweng near Vryburg in the North West says becoming one of the country’s top learners has always been his dream.
Picture: Silver Sibiya
“I’m very happy and proud to be here. I was worried because I couldn’t secure bursaries to send me to school, but I’m ecstatic to see myself here,” Matong said.
Matong plans to study medicine at the University of Cape Town. He credits his success to disciplined planning, saying he used a strict study timetable to manage his time effectively during exam preparations.
Maria Freercks from Gqeberha described her achievement as “a little bit surreal.”
She says her biggest challenge was balancing her academic work with multiple extracurricular activities.
“Time management was the hardest part because I was involved in many activities outside of school,” Freercks said.
Mahir Modi says he never imagined that he would rank among the country’s top achievers, describing the recognition as rewarding for the hard work he put in throughout the year.
He says his exam preparations started early and were guided by consistency and discipline.
“I applied to several local universities, but I would like to study Accounting at Wits University this year,” Modi said.
Offering encouragement to learners who did not achieve their desired results, Modi urged them not to lose hope.
“Keep pushing. The road hasn’t ended yet, and seek support whenever you need it,” he said.
Thabo Serota from Bochum in Limpopo says he felt anxious ahead of the results release, as he had not yet seen his marks.
Serota shared some unconventional study habits, saying he preferred drinking water while studying at night instead of energy drinks.
“There is something in that acid that makes you not think properly, and it affects you when you are studying,” he said.
He also credited his mother for her support during the exam period.
“She cooked for me. I don’t know how to wash or cook for myself, and that helped a lot because I had more time to study,” Serota said.
Serota has applied to the University of Johannesburg and the University of Limpopo and hopes to pursue a degree in law.
A total of 40 learners, regarded as the best in the country, were honoured at the ceremony.
