Various schools in Kwa-Thema had top achievers put them on the map

Kwa-Thema – After the matric 2023 results were released, some learners were happy to have learn they’d passed with distinctions and were guaranteed university entry.

At Zimisele Secondary School, the top achievers obtained six, five and four distinctions, respectively.

Nkhensani Lekula was the overall top achiever with distinctions in life orientation, mathematics, accounting, business studies, IsiZulu and English.

Lekula was 2% short of a seventh distinction in economics. She said it took hard work and dedication to reach where she is now.

Lekula said in the early hours of the day, she heard other matriculants scream with joy after receiving their results via USSD, but she was anxious because she had also dialled the string but didn’t get hers.

“I think it was 00:50 when I asked Mama to drive me to the garage to buy the paper, but as soon as we drove off, I received an SMS with my results. I screamed and told her to stop the car,” she said.

Lekula said that although she knew she had passed, she didn’t expect such great results.

The University of Johannesburg (UJ) has accepted Lekula to study BCom accounting, and she already has a bursary from a well-known accounting firm.

Banele Mabaso, also from the school, attained five distinctions for physical sciences, mathematics, life sciences, geography and English.

Qiniso Ndlovu attained four for life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics and geography. One of the top achievers at Kenneth Masekela Secondary School was Busisiwe Nomadlozi Mahlangu (17).

Of eight subjects she did, she attained five distinctions for IsiZulu, English, geography, life sciences and tourism.

Mahlangu said she had to prevent herself from doing many things liked by the youth, such as grooving and dating.

“It was either my books or nothing,” Mahlangu said.

She said she faced challenges during the year and exams but made it. Though she wants to do nursing, UJ has accepted her for teaching.

“My teacher, Lindokuhle Nkambule, helped me with the application physically and financially, and I’ll forever be grateful to her for being there for me,” she said.

Nothando Shongwe from Tlakula Secondary School said it hadn’t sunk in that she did so well.

“I am still in disbelief. Maybe it will sink in later,” Shongwe said.

She said it would be a drag for her to study, but she’ll catch the groove once she starts. Wits has accepted her to study biomedical engineering.

She earned distinctions in life orientation, geography, life sciences and tourism.

Lefa Ifa’s Sifiso Nxumalo only expected to receive level sixes in all the subjects and was surprised to learn he exceeded his expectations.

Nxumalo has no ID, making him anxious because he can’t attend varsity.

“I know I have a distinction in mathematical literacy, but I can take this year to do mathematics because I want to be a chartered accountant, a field that requires mathematics,” he said.

Nxumalo also attained distinctions in accounting, tourism, business studies and economics.

Also from the school were Alice Sithole, with distinctions for economics, life orientation, business studies and tourism, and Letlhare Makhetha, with two distinctions for tourism and religious studies.