Rural student breaks barriers
BEING raised by a single parent does not define who you are, nor does it define your destiny.
This was the sentiment of Simindele Khumalo (19), one of South Africa's Class of 2023 top matric achievers.
The former Ondini High School pupil, with his mother by his side, was invited by Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga to a congratulatory breakfast in Pretoria today (Thursday).
Khumalo said, while he has not yet seen his matric results, which will be officially released tomorrow, his winning formula was dedication, focus and prayer.
“I had a good relationship with all my teachers. It was a parent-child relationship and sometimes friendship that I had with them. They were very supportive of us as their learners.
“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 those challenges are here to teach us something. We need to learn something from every challenge we go through,” he said.
Khumalo, who hails from the KwaCeza area outside Ulundi, said he intends to study medicine at one of the biggest universities in the country.
At school, he took mathematics, physical science, accounting, life sciences, life orientation, IsiZulu and English.
“I intended to change the perception about rural areas, and I am happy that I managed to achieve my dream,” he said.
Speaking at a sending-off ceremony on Friday, an excited Ulundi Mayor Wilson Ntshangase said they were ecstatic that Khumalo was invited to represent the area at a national level in the field of education.
“The role we played as Ulundi Municipality is ensuring education is a priority for our youth,” said Ntshangase.
Khumalo follows in the footsteps of the former Masibumbane Secondary School learner, Lifalethu Zikode in Ulundi, who was among the students who were invited to have breakfast with Minister Angie
Motshekga last year.
Achievement is not about where you come from, but about where you are destined to go