A Tembisa teenager who had been living by himself for three years, was named Tembisa’s top 2019 matric learner at the second Ubukhosi Print and Engraving Tembisa Matric Awards at Tembisa Christian Family Church in Hospital View on January 18.
The awards ceremony is aimed at recognising top matric achievers.
Prince Mkhize, founder of Ubukhosi Print and Engraving, said the event gave learners hope and acknowledged their hard work.
The top learners received a trophy and cash for about five months,” said Mkhize.
Mmenzeli Ncube was named the overall top achiever in Tembisa.
“I have been living alone for the past three years with my parents living in Brakpan due to work. Inspired by my sister’s matric success, I knew I had to push extra hard to do better than she did.
“Staying alone was a great challenge. I had to discipline and restrict myself from fun outside while my friends enjoyed themselves. I said no partying and alcohol and I had no WhatsApp to distract me,” he said.
Ncube said he woke up early to leave for early morning sessions and arrived home late after leaving school at around 8.30pm.
“I started reading alone but soon people joined me because they saw my results remained high. Since Grade 10 I was on the top achievers’ list at school.
“Finally my hard work has paid off and I have bursaries lined up. All I have to do, is choose,” Ncube said.
Rachel Mhlanga, former Tembisa West Secondary School matric student in 2018, who is currently studying for a bachelor’s degree in accounting at the University of Johannesburg, received seven distinctions and 100% in accounting, and was awarded second best performing learner in 2018 in the Tembisa Matric Awards.
Mhlanga said the learners are about to enter a different space where discipline is most crucial and they need to work even harder than before.
“My advice for the Class of 2019 is that they need to be committed and stay focused,” she said.
Ekurhuleni North District director Nonceba Ntuta said it was a great achievement for Ekurhuleni North to have local business partners stand up and say they want to recognise learners who did exceptionally well in matric.
“We have the Gauteng City Region Academy (GCRA) Bursary Programme which seeks to help underprivileged Gauteng youths pursue tertiary level education. All information is available from their respective school principals.
“To the 2020 matrics, please attend your classes and work hard. The department offers extra classes but it won’t work if the teachers are there but there is no one to teach. We need to see learners who achieve a 90% average,” said Ntuta.
Tembisa West Secondary School was named the best achieving school in Tembisa. The school’s principal, Rakeleje Seleho, said it was a pleasure to have been given this award.
The top five best performing learners were:
1. Mmenzeli Ncube from Boitumelong Secondary School with five distinctions and an average of 86.85%.
2. Siphesihle Mthethwa from Tembisa Secondary School with seven distinctions and an average of 86%.
3. Yolanda Jama from Phomolong Secondary School with seven distinctions and an average of 85.75%.
4. Kamogelo Mapheto from Zitikeni Secondary School with four distinctions and an average of 84.28%.
5. Lethabo Mojela from Tswelopele Secondary School with four distinctions and an average of 84.15%.
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