Folded arms do not lead to success

ACHIEVING eight distinctions in matric is an achievement for anyone — but all the more so for Ayanda Nyathi, who was raised in Alexandra township by a single mother.

Nyathi, 18, credits hard work and family support for having helped him overcome all obstacles, including being thrust into the strange new world of affluent Johannesburg when he was accepted at St Stithians College.

He started at the prestigious school in Grade 8 thanks to help from the privately funded Student Sponsorship Programme, which identifies students from poor backgrounds with “great leadership and academic potential”.

Not only did Nyathi get distinctions in all his subjects — mathematics, English, physical science, accounting, music, Zulu, dramatic arts and life orientation — but he was also deputy headboy. Last year he was named Dux Scholar for achieving the highest marks in his grade and received the Headmaster’s Shield award.

“It really was a family effort,” Nyathi said. “Any credit should go to my family. They spearheaded this.”

Nyathi is the youngest of three children raised by their single, unemployed mother, Zandile, 48. His older brother, Ntokozo, 22, was the first in the family to go to university.

Nyathi said he was hesitant when he was told he would have to be a boarder at St Stithians and that it was only with the help of his family that he was able to adjust. “It is a big culture shock. You come from an environment where something as simple as having a cellphone is quite a big deal . . . and when it comes to holiday time you are going to be at home and everybody else is filling up Spain or Paris. To remedy the insecurity I had to cling to my family and be as authentic as possible.”

Nyathi said Grade 8 had been one of the most difficult years of his life but he benefited enormously from leaving home and moving into boarding school. Soon after he met Rowan Spazzoli, then a matriculant, who gave him excellent advice. “He said when you understand your work you don’t really have to do anything. So I clung to that and decided to use it to the best of my advantage.”

Nyathi also found time to play sport, swim and indulge in his real passion, drama.

This year he will begin a degree in chemical engineering at the University of Cape Town.

Said his mother: “Education was our language. We want to see him grow in a positive way and have the best. And best does not come from sitting with your arms folded.”

I had to cling to my family and be as authentic as possible