Three-mendous!
The region’s Class of 2023 perform well on the national stage
DREAMS of a bright future are what motivated King Cetshwayo District's top 3 matric achievers to push through the literal darkness of load-shedding while studying for their final exams.
Ziphozenkosi Mntambo (17) from Khombindlela High School in Ngwelezana led the trio on Friday when she was announced the district’s top learner, with eight distinctions.
Lulama Ndabandaba (8 distinctions) from Tholokuhle High and Nondumiso Gwala (7 distinctions) from Empangeni High rounded off the district's top three, placing second and third respectively.
The top three are part of the district’s 83.4% pass rate, which is a 6% increase on the 77.4% in 2022.
Putting Zululand on the national map, Ziphozenkosi was placed third in Quintile 4 schools nationally.
Proud of her achievements, Ziphozenkosi said, while she was initially doubtful about her results after her final exams, she is now hopeful about her future.
“I have always been the type of person who, after writing a test or exam, questions my capabilities and the effort I put in. I’m learning now that I need to trust myself more,” she said.
According to her mother, Bongi Nene, who could not hold back the tears of joy, her daughter’s academic results and national recognition are a blessing.
“I cried tears of joy because I was not expecting to receive a call that my child was going to be recognised nationally for her results,” said Nene.
“I have four children and this is my second to have matriculated. She is hardworking and loves learning – you can never separate her from her books,” she said.
Nene commended the teachers, as well as the principal, for their dedication and patience to
the learners.
“They work hard and put a lot of effort into teaching our children. They treat the learners as their own. I applaud their efforts in driving them to achieve the best results,” she said.
National and provincial recognition
Speaking to the ZO on Friday, Ziphozenkosi said she thought she was being pranked when she received a call from Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga’s office informing her she was one of the matric class of 2023's top
national achievers.
"I thought it was a scam, I could not believe it.
“It was not until I got to Johannesburg and sat with other top achievers from across the country, and walked onto the stage that I believed it was happening,” she said.
Lulama and Nondumiso joined Ziphozenkosi in being honoured at KZN’s official matric awards ceremony in Durban on Friday.
Recalling the rolling blackouts in the run-up to, and during their final exams, Lulama and
Nondumiso fought hard to get to the top.
“Studying is never nice, but worse when faced with the challenges we had. But it takes knowing what you want, and being disciplined and focused,” said Lulama.
“It was difficult to maintain a good study schedule without electricity most of the time.
“I prayed a lot, worked a lot as well. It wasn’t easy at all and I’m grateful to have had the support of my parents and teachers.
“To see my grandmother this happy makes it all worth it and inspires me to work even harder this year,” said Lulama, who hopes to study actuarial science at UCT.
Nondumiso described her final year as ‘exhausting’.
“On average, we spent 12 hours at school, which was exhausting but fulfilling at the same time,” she said.
“My mother, who is my biggest supporter, invested in load-shedding lights to ensure the blackouts would not get in my way,” said Nondumiso, who is chasing a BCom accounting science dream at the University of Pretoria.
Congratulating Nondumiso, EHS principal S Zwane said, “We are proud of all the EHS staff, parents and learners for their collective effort and dedication, which led to the excellent NSC results.”
National accolades
Other Zululanders among the national accolades included Simlindele Khumalo of Ondini High School, who placed second in the Quintile 4 category of schools nationally.
Simlindele, who hails from the KwaCeza area outside Ulundi, plans on studying medicine either at UCT or Wits as both institutions have accepted his application.
“Achievement is not about where you come from, but about where you are destined to go. In life, there are many challenges, but we know these challenges are here to teach us something.
“I intend to change the perception about rural areas, and I am happy I managed to achieve my dream. Being raised by a single parent does not define who you are, nor does it define your destiny,” he told the ZO.
Olwethu Khumalo from Mandla Mthethwa School of Excellence in Ndumo Village in Jozini was placed first in the Quintile 1 category of schools nationally.
The star achiever said he did not experience any challenges because dedicated teachers ensured he got all the support he needed to perform well.
He has already been accepted at UCT to study actuarial science.
Another top matriculant hailing from uMkhanyakude District, Nomfundo Mthembu of Ntulabakayise Secondary School took second place nationally in the same category.