Passionate bunch of all-round achievers
Overachieving, exceptional and passionate are some of the words used by teachers to describe the final four finalists who, in just a week, will find out who will claim the prestigious title of The Herald Absa Matric of the Year.
While they may be last to be profiled, the final four are not lacking in any sphere, having produced A aggregate results while also juggling a number of extra-curricular activities ranging from karate and choir to poetry and tutoring.
Megan Whittal, 18, from Andrew Rabie High, Thamsanqa Makeleni, 16, from Woolhope Senior Secondary School, Okuhle Luningo, 17, from the Holy Cross Education Centre, and Membathisi Sikani, 18, from Soqhayisa Senior Secondary School, round out the top 20 finalists for this year’s competition.
Megan, who has held the top spot in her class since grade 10 and has also dabbled in newspaper writing, first aid and numerous sports, was described as a diligent and dedicated pupil by Andrew Rabie principal Willie Botha.
“Megan has proved herself as an exceptional individual, competent and a valuable learner-leader at the school.
“She sets very high standards for herself. Over the years, I had numerous positive comments regarding her performances and exceptional behaviour,” Botha said.
Thamsanqa said despite his impoverished background he continues to excel and uses his experience to assist others in similar situations to overcome hardships through his work as a member and volunteer in the Artworks for Youth projects – which offer academic support, mentoring and art instruction to the youth in Joe Slovo.
“A special moment that I will forever treasure is the day I was I told I was the first in my school to attain a gold certificate in the National English Olympiad,” Thamsanqa said.
“However, my life achievement would be the fact that I have come this far with the little I had.
“The fact that I am not allowing myself to be a product of my circumstance is my lifetime achievement, which I continue to strive towards daily,” Thamsanqa said.
Despite investing most of his time in academics, Membathisi is not keeping his gift for grasping mathematics and science to himself, regularly tutoring young children and team members of the Motherwell cricket club and other pupils during school holidays.
Soqhayisa principal Mlungisi Nopote said: “Membathisi started attending our school in grade 8 and he was the secondbest pupil in his grade.
“However, since grade 9 and all the grades that followed he has always obtained first position.
“He is an overachieving pupil who always receives awards for all his respective subjects, including obtaining 100% for some.”
Okuhle is another A aggregate pupil offering his talent for maths and science to improve the lives of the youth.
“I am part of a tutoring team in our school which helps other pupils who have difficulties in subjects such as maths, physical or life sciences as well as geography,” Okuhle said.
“During the holidays, myself and two of my peers also went on a camp in Ngqeleni to help pupils in those subjects.”