Beating the odds with 7 distinctions
● Phindile Mthembu drowned out her mother’s anguished cries when her drunk relative beat her by throwing herself into schoolwork.
The teenager poured her energy into her studies in the hope she would one day be able to provide a life free of abuse for her mother and siblings by becoming a doctor.
This week she got a step closer to realising her dream when she bagged seven distinctions. Now she plans to study medicine at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, where she has been provisionally accepted.
The 18-year-old has joined a long line of success stories at Menzi High School in Umlazi, south of Durban, which, despite the challenging circumstances of its pupils, has maintained a 100% pass rate for a decade.
“My relative has been troublesome because he has a drinking problem, and he would come home drunk and assault my mother in front of me,” said Mthembu.
“I grew up in that environment and I told myself that I would work hard so I could be in a better position to change the situation at home. I feel so happy and proud of myself and the teachers who invested a lot in me. I was motivated by a mother who also encouraged me to focus on school so I could live a better life.”
Mthembu’s advice to pupils facing hardship is to “just keep moving forward. Pay no attention to the situation at home … put every effort into your work so that you can be proud of what you produce.”
Teacher Lungi Mtungwa first noticed Mthembu when she performed well in grade 8. “I took her under my wing and I realised that her background wasn’t so great, so I tried to motivate her because I saw something in her and I didn’t want her circumstances to hold her back,” said Mtungwa.
Menzi pupil Xolile Ngcobo was in a hospital bed with anaemia when she learnt she had achieved a bachelor’s pass. “I was afraid, I didn’t think I would pass because I was sick during exams. But now I am happy,” said Ngcobo, whose condition meant she was admitted to hospital regularly during her matric year.
Menzi High has been a beacon of success since the 1990s, when the then principal, Felix Mshololo, devised a system that changed the school’s 26% pass rate. Current principal Muntu Ntombela said the secret to the school’s continued success was discipline and proper planning. “All it takes is hard work, teamwork, dedication and time management. We start as early as possible — we don’t waste time,” said Ntombela.