Hunger for success motivated Edna to push forward despite challenges

Despite facing challenges shortly before her preliminary exams, Edna Khumalo’s strong belief in her dreams kept her going.

The Hulwazi Secondary School top achiever earned seven distinctions in Xitsonga home language, English, mathematics, life orientation, geography, life sciences, and physical science.

The 18-year-old explained that she faced setbacks in finalising her citizenship documents, as her father is South African and her mother is Mozambican.

“During the school break before the prelims, while travelling to Mozambique to sort out my documents so that I’d be eligible to write the exams, we had an accident that really shook me. I was asleep when it happened, but I woke up when I heard the loud bang.”

She explained how she, her father, and three younger sisters made multiple trips to Mozambique, as they sat in the car for seven hours.

“Sometimes, mishaps would force us to turn back home and come again, causing me to miss catch-up classes and valuable study time.

I don’t know how I went through all of that and still achieved such impressive marks.”

Edna attributed her academic success to her parents, especially her father, who ensured they got the necessary documents as well as supporting her emotionally, psychologically, and financially.

She plans to study Chemical Engineering or Actuarial Science. “I’m interested in these two fields because they both involve math, and I love numbers.”

Her message to the Class of 2025 is: “Trust in God, pray consistently, and rely on your support system, friends, teachers, and parents.”

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