Reddam House Helderfontein matriculant, and recipient of Beast Foundation scholarship, excels with four distinctions
Anchored by her belief in God and supported by the Beast Foundation, Reddam House Helderfontein’s Tshenolo Gaesenewe balanced academics and personal growth to finish matric with distinction.
For Tshenolo Gaesenewe, matric was never only about marks.
As a Beast Foundation scholarship recipient at Reddam House Helderfontein, she carried a sense of responsibility into every exam room, not just for herself, but for the opportunity she had been given and the future she was still learning to imagine.
“It made me realise that I should stop underestimating myself and my abilities. It also placed a responsibility on me to do my best, because I am not only representing myself but the Beast Foundation as well.”
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Gaesenewe’s journey reflects the partnership between the school and the foundation, a shared commitment to identifying high-potential learners and backing them with the academic environment, boarding support, and long-term mentorship needed to thrive.
Selected from more than 200 applicants nationally, Gaesenewe received a full high school scholarship through the foundation, covering tuition and boarding, with additional support for uniforms, stationery, and textbooks.
In 2025, she completed her matric year with four distinctions in history, English first language, isiZulu first additional language, and life orientation, including a first-in-class placement for life orientation.
Staying focused through matric required more than study timetables. She anchored herself in a phrase that became her quiet mantra: Ase rona ke maatla a Modimo,’It’s not us, it’s the power of God’.
“The anxiety can creep in. Knowing that if you don’t get things right, it could affect your future. The way I stayed focused was by trusting that God has a plan for all of us. It might not be what I had envisioned, but I believe He will guide me through and help me find the right path.”
Making it into the matric public speaking team was one of her proudest moments. “I’m not someone who would willingly speak in front of a crowd. Being able to stand in front of complete strangers was a really big moment for me.”
Outside the classroom, her school experience evolved in unexpected ways. While she initially played hockey and soccer, she stepped away from both in Grade 11 when the demands became too heavy. “Honestly, I preferred being a first aider at matches rather than actually playing.”
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Music and performance also played a defining role. Her plans after school have evolved over time. While she once spoke about civil engineering, Gaesenewe now sees her future in healthcare.
On results day, her gratitude was expansive and deeply personal. “I thank God first and foremost. He has been with me from beginning to end and blessed me with amazing friends and family who supported me throughout this journey.”
She speaks with particular appreciation for her family, especially her mother. “She believed in me and prayed for this scholarship. She helped build my self-confidence and taught me that a woman has a plan. No matter what happens, you always make a plan.”
She is equally clear about the role of the foundation in her journey. She also credits her mentor and teachers at the school. Tendai Mtawarira, founder of the Beast Foundation, said Gaesenewe’s journey shows why long-term scholarship support matters.
The school’s executive head, Brian Armitage, said: “Tshenolo has approached her schooling with humility, perseverance, and a quiet determination to grow.
Her results, her leadership, and the way she has contributed to school life speak to a student who has fully embraced opportunity.”
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