South Africa's top matric achievers share inspiring stories of resilience ahead of NSC results

Hours before the eagerly awaited announcement of the National Senior Certificate (NSC) results, a group of remarkable students from South Africa's matric class of 2025 shared their powerful narratives of resilience and determination. These inspiring stories were unveiled during an annual breakfast event hosted by Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube in Fairlands, Johannesburg, where the country's top 42 achievers were honoured.

Among these exceptional students is Takunda Muchweni, a determined young woman from Jan Kriel School in Kuilsriver, Western Cape. Takunda's compelling journey is a testament to the strength of the human spirit. Despite facing significant challenges due to her disability, including a recent hospitalisation, she has emerged victorious, showcasing the potential within all students who strive for excellence.

Her mother, Tamari Muchweni, expressed immense pride and joy at her daughter's achievements, stating, "It is a proud moment for us as a family. We are really beyond excited, but more importantly, we are also grateful that we could be here today. This is a dream we never thought could be achieved due to our child's disability, which affects her health and day-to-day functioning."

During Takunda's hospital stay leading up to her exams, the Muchweni family dedicated their time to studying. Tamari reflected on those challenging nights, saying, "There were nights she could not sleep because she was in pain. However, throughout that, she was studying. She was communicating with her teachers. We had to bring her books so she could study while in the hospital."

With ambitions to pursue a degree in Industrial Psychology, Takunda shared, "I am very proud of myself because this journey was quite difficult. However, I could not have done it without the help of my parents."

Another inspirational figure at the event was Simesihle Khuzwayo, a top achiever from King Bhekuzulu College in Nongoma, KwaZulu-Natal. Simesihle overcame her own health challenges, which led to her missing crucial classes during the Winter term. Driven by a fierce determination to succeed, she leveraged social media for learning. "I watched a lot of videos and even found tutors on social media," she said, expressing her commitment to her education.

With aspirations to study medicine, she explained how her experiences have shaped her goals: "As someone who is sickly, I will be studying medicine this year, simply because of my health challenges. It is something I really want to do."

For Sanele Vilakazi, a standout student from Makause Combined School, resilience is an everyday reality. Living in an informal settlement in Waya Waya, Ogies, Sanele has faced significant obstacles, including the challenge of fetching water daily in an area without electricity. "Waking up at 4am to fetch water has become second nature for me," he explained. His dedication to his studies remains unwavering, as he aspires to delve into Data Science.

Minister Gwarube commended the students for their extraordinary achievements. She stated, "Behind every high-achieving learner is a home that made sacrifices. A home that chose discipline over comfort, encouragement over despair." Her words resonated not only with the achievers and their families, but also with the teachers diligently shaping the future of South Africa's youth.

IOS