Kwenzo is Dundee’s self-made leader with seven distinctions

“At school, you are given only a skeleton of information, it is then your responsibility to ensure that you build up that skeleton; by adding muscles, tissue and skin to form a working system.
“This is done by consistent daily studying and hard work,” said Kwenzo, one of Dundee”s top five matric students.
One of the sharpest knives on the educational shelf comes all the way from Escourt.
The 2017 Dundee High Deputy Head Boy, Mthobisi Kwenzokuhle Zondo, who is better known as Kwenzo, obtained seven distinctions in 2017, placing him fourth in the Umzinyathi District’s top five. Kwenzo scored As in Zulu, Maths, Life Orientation, Accounting, Business Studies, Life Sciences and Physics and a B in English. He missed an A by 1%. Coming from a small family Kwenzo stays with his mother and two siblings.
“We are very proud of our little brother. He has been through so much and he deserves all that’s coming his way,” said Nhlanhla Makhoba, Kwenzo’solder brother.
Kwenzo joined Dundee High school in 2014 when he enrolled in grade nine as a hostel learner.
When asked about his experience at the school, he stated that: “I have had a great experience at the school and a character-building one.
“Never before have I come across such a caring society, dedicated primarily towards the success of its scholars”.
The school assisted Kwenzo in improving both his academic and leadership qualities. He was elected class leader and a member of the RCL committee when he first arrived at the school.
“I held this position right up to grade 11 and in 2016 I was elected Deputy Head Boy, as well as Hostel Head Boy,” Kwenzo said as he went down memory lane. It is quite obvious that the school believed in his abilities as a leader of the pack.
As Kwenzo spoke about his experience at Dundee High he oozed confidence and self-assurance, which is two of the best qualities to master as an individual.
” I am not a very smart person, but I greatly believe in hard work to carry me through,” Kwenzo explained, “In fact, some of my hostel mates would often question my strong desire to learn, as I would study from 4pm till 3am on a daily basis as I prepared for my exams.” This hardcore studying helped Kwenzo soar high as he flew up towards academic success.
When Kwenzo is not being his studious self, he enjoys rugby and going to the gym.
He played first team rugby for his school for two consecutive years.
With the help of the school, he was even offered a 100% bursary by the Vodacom Blue Bulls to study after matric, but he turned down the offer. Kwenzo did this because he always had his own plans for his future.
He has an interest in Actuarial Science which applies mathematical skills to social science to solve important problems globally. Kwenzo is currently enrolled at the University of Wits to study a BSc in Actuarial Sciences.
“One thing I have learned through this journey is that God always prevails; never lose trust and faith in Him,” emphasised Kwenzo.
His message to the class of 2018 is to invest in yourselves for a wise man once said, “an investment in oneself pays the best returns”. His secret to getting seven A’s is using past exam papers.
He stressed the importance of using these as a guideline when studying for the exams. “For each subject, I used 20 previous papers, some dated as far back as 2008, and I made sure that I completed each one. Finally, to the class of 2018, good luck. We sure have carried the baton and now we pass it on to you to carry it,” he added, “To those who didn’t make it in 2017, don’t give up.
“Learn the lesson and move on. Believe it or not, I, too, repeated grade four, so keep pushing and you will see how much hard work can do for you.”
The Dundee community wishes you all the best for your future endeavours so go and hoist the KZN flag high at Wits.