TOP achievers from schools across KwaZulu-Natal thought they were being “pranked” when they received calls from officials in the Department of Basic Education inviting them to a breakfast event with Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube.
One pupil said that for two days, she had serious doubts about the invitation and only believed it was true when she received the plane tickets.
The KZN pupils were among 39 pupils who joined Gwarube as her guests at the ministerial breakfast, held in Fairlands, Johannesburg yesterday.
One of the top achievers, Gift Mlambo, said hard work, planning, and prayer were behind his success.
Gift, from the Mandla Mthethwa School of Excellence in uMkhanyakude, was one of several pupils from KZN who were celebrated as top achievers at a national level.
“I had expected to do well, but I am still shocked to be on the national stage,” he said.
He said that around January 9, he received a call from the school principal informing him that he would be getting a call from an official from the Department of Education.
“The call came from the official, and I was shocked. My parents are still in shock,” he said.
Speaking of his journey, he said it took sacrifice.
“If you want something hard enough, you must sacrifice, you must work hard, engage with the teachers, and ask questions where you need help, and most importantly, pray. We all need prayer,” he said.
Mlambo said he wanted to study actuarial science.
Fanelesbonge Ngema from Vukile High School in Ilembe District said she was shocked that she had been identified as one of the top achievers.
“When I got the call on Thursday last week, I could not believe it. I thought they had the wrong person. I started to believe it might be true when they sent the plane tickets on Saturday afternoon,” she said.
“My parents were excited – I think they are even more excited than me.”
She said she had dedicated almost all her time to studying in her matric year.
“Even when it was break time, I would go out, get food, and come back to class to study or do my homework so that when I got home, I did not have to do any homework; I just studied.”
She urged this year’s matric pupils to dedicate their time and attention to their education.
“There are many distractions, including things like social media. Give the distractions the minimum of your time and dedicate the rest to your education,” she said.
She hopes to study medicine at UCT.
Nqubeko Bekwa from Emzamweni High School in the uMgungundlovu District said he hoped to study actuarial science or nuclear engineering.
Nqubeko said he was delighted to be among the top achievers.
“When I got the call, I started shouting and jumping up and down outside. My mother was excited
too. I was happy because it meant I had done well, but just to be invited was exciting.”
