Kate and Samkelo are superstars!

It is seldom that one comes across a pupil who embraces every aspect of school life. Samkelo Zwane, a 12-year-old grade seven pupil at John Wesley School in Pinetown, is such a young man and for this dedication was chosen as the overall SPAR superstar for 2013 in the primary school category.
Samkelo entered the school at the beginning of this year and has displayed maturity and determination beyond his years in his approach to all areas of school life, including learning to swim in the first term, having never done so before.
According to his class teacher, Leah Marais, his academic performance increased exponentially over the past three terms, and he achieved 100 % for physical education this term, among other noteworthy achievements.
Samkelo, despite suffering from asthma, played for both the 1st and 2nd soccer teams and was part of the team that brought home the winning trophy in a 5-A-side schools’ soccer tournament. He swam, played hockey and, in his final term at John Wesley, took part in cricket, touch rugby and basketball.
Samkelo is known as a team player among his teachers and peers. He said his inspiration comes from having Jesus in his life and the encouragement from his mother, Bongumusa Zwane, a single parent, who together with younger brother Sphephelo (3), are active members of the Highway Christian Church.
His ambition is to be able to study to become a primary school teacher. His inspiration for this comes from the encouragement and motivation he received from his class teacher, Leah Marais, and senior primary school HOD, Sindi Zulu, both of whom he considers his mentors.
John Wesley School principal, Helen Birchall thanked SPAR for the opportunity of taking part in the SPAR superstar pages and for the generous prize of R10 000 to the school. Samkelo was overwhelmed with joy and tears filled his eyes when he was awarded an iPad mini, an iPod shuffle and a hamper of sweets for being this year’s overall SPAR superstar in the primary school category.