The cream of the crop was hosted by Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga this morning at Constantia Kloof. Mthokozisi Gongo from Ixopo in Kwa-Zulu Natal who wants to study medicine in that province said load shedding was one of the challenges he faced but he conquered.
“I’m feeling very happy. I’m lost for words, I’m speechless,” he quipped.
“I was doing Physical Science, Life Science, Mathematics, Languages and Life Orientation. I was living away from home and when there was load shedding we couldn’t walk at night to study at the school.
“Sometimes I didn’t have enough food and those were some of the challenges,” said Gongo who added that his family was supportive towards his studies.
“They would restrict me from doing house chores to allow me time to study although they couldn’t help me with the school work but I appreciate that they gave me time and space to do my school work,” he said.
18-year-old Sihle Khumalo from Pietermaritzburg in Kwa-Zulu Natal plans to study Actuarial Science at the University of Cape Town (UCT).
“I’m happy to be here but I’m more nervous because I haven’t received my results. I’m not sure if I achieved what I wanted to achieve because I wanted straight A (symbols) this year ,” said the Conco High School pupil.
His advice to this year’s Grade 12 learners is to start preparations early.
“My advice would be to start as early as possible because in matric you have too much stress, so starting early to practice later helps”.
Athi Thungile from Mqanduli in Eastern Cape achieved top marks despite being disabled. He is slightly visually impaired.
“I was given a tablet from the school to help me study during load shedding, I also downloaded previous question papers to help me study,” he said, adding that he wants to study to become a lawyer at the University of Johannesburg (UJ).
And the DD Mabuza Comprehensive School based in Nkomazi in Mpumalanga continues to produce top performing students.
Brutas Nkomo who is the latest shining star said he’s just happy to have come this far.
“When the year started I told myself I wanted to be a top achiever and I listened to teachers and I’m glad I achieved it,” he said.
His next destination is at the UJ to study Mechanical Engineering. The province by province performance results will be released tonight.
