WATCH: Discipline pays off for Etwatwa top achiever

Mpho Junior Mohlala, a former learner at Phakamani Secondary School in Etwatwa, has proven that consistent discipline and determination can produce academic excellence even in township schools.

The 18-year-old achieved eight distinctions in the 2025 National Senior Certificate examinations, earning him the title of top learner at the school, the best-performing learner in Gauteng East, and second overall among township schools in the province.

His outstanding performance has secured him a place at the University of the Witwatersrand, where he is now an actuarial science student. Mohlala attributes his success to years of discipline, consistency, and sacrifice.
“I have always worked hard and pushed myself so that when the teacher teaches, I already have some knowledge and can keep up easily,” he said.

His strong first-term results led to his selection for the 7/7 Sci-Bono Camp, a programme run by the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre in Gauteng. The initiative supports high-performing Grade 12 learners, focusing on STEM subjects such as mathematics, physical sciences, technology, and life sciences.

“The camp was based on our first-term results. It was divided into two groups, and I made friends there. Being surrounded by other high achievers motivated me to work even harder,” he said.

At Phakamani Secondary School, Mohlala followed a rigorous daily routine, which included compulsory morning classes from 07:00, regular lessons during the day, and afternoon sessions until 18:00. Sci-Bono further supported learners through online classes from 18:00 to 20:00 each day. Despite the demanding schedule, Mohlala continued to study independently in the evenings.

“I would study on my own from 20:00 until midnight, focusing mainly on the subjects I struggled with and followed through. From January, I slept only five to six hours a night because my priority was my schoolwork,” he said.

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One of the sacrifices he made during his matric year was giving up his passion for drawing.
“I loved drawing and wanted to become an artist, but I decided that drawing can be a side business, while being an actuary will be my main career,” he said.

Mohlala has consistently been a top learner since Grade Eight, but he believes effective planning made the biggest difference in his final year. He used a self-designed study timetable and regularly assessed areas that needed improvement. Support from his teachers, particularly in Mathematics, also played a significant role.

“My teachers were very supportive, especially my Mathematics teachers. At home, my family encouraged me and kept me focused throughout the year,” he said.
His mother, Lebo Mohlala, said she was proud of her son’s determination and focus.

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