‘I kept reminding myself of the end goal’

Lesiba Secondary School learner Kahlolo Mashala has made her school proud by being the overall top learner in business studies and economics in the Ekurhuleni North district.

She also bagged six distinctions out of the seven subjects she wrote in the final matric exams.

Kahlolo was among the province’s top achievers honoured by the Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane and Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi at an awards ceremony held at Soshanguve East Secondary School in Pretoria on January 20.

Top achievers received a trophy or certificate, an R1 000 voucher and a bursary from GCRA.

Speaking to the Benoni City Times, the 18-year-old, who lives in Mayfield, Daveyton, said she attributed her academic success to hard work.

“The strong support system in my teachers and family helped a lot. Our school pushed us to achieve good marks. I would even go to school on Saturdays and Sundays for extra work.

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“My father used to take me to school early and pick me up later in the afternoon. My mother on the other hand made sure that I didn’t feel pressure and was able to cope.”

Kahlolo said there is no secret recipe to her achieving outstanding results other than that she made sure she understood what was taught in class, even if it meant she had to ask a million times.

“Whenever I was at home, I studied to stay ahead in my work. Being in matric was a bit challenging, but I had to always remind myself of the end goal, which is to be a chartered accountant,” she said.

Kahlolo will study towards a Bachelor of Accounting Science this year at the University of the Witwatersrand.

Her message to the class of 2023 is, “Do your best. Sometimes your best won’t be the best but you’ll have peace knowing that you did your best. Have fun and always remember the end goal. For most of us, education is the only way we can change our family background for the better.”

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