#GettingToKnow: Olwethu Gumbi of St Dominic’s Newcastle

Being selected as head girl means you portray the very image that defines the strength and leadership skills your school desires.

It is a title you carry with pride, dedication and a whole lot of hard work.

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Olwethu Gumbi of St Dominic’s Newcastle spoke to the Newcastle Advertiser in an exclusive interview, to describe her year-long journey as head girl.

Although she was born in Newcastle, Olwethu grew up in Vryheid with her mom, Makhosazane, who is a teacher, her dad, Mduduzi, a switchboard manager and her younger sister.

Olwethu, a dedicated and passionate learner, has always believed hard work pays off.

This, combined with strong leadership skills, cemented her position as head girl.

“What I enjoy most about being head girl is that I get to interact with the other learners, and I am able to help them with a variety of problems they might face,” she explained.

In her position, she said she always encouraged fellow learners to abide by the school’s rules, as well as maintain a sense of discipline.

“I feel a lot of learners look up to me, as I have heard before that they admire how hard I work and they too aspire to do what I do,” she aid proudly.

When this hard working teen is not working on her school curriculum, she can be found having fun on the netball court, or baking delicious cupcakes with her grandmother.

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“I am a quiet person. I love dogs, and I also enjoy offering up my time by helping people through participating in charitable events.”

Olwethu plans to study medicine at the University of Cape Town, where she hoped to specialise in psychiatry.

“Thereafter, I hope to open my own practice and hopefully contribute towards building a hospital for children one day.”

Olwethu’s advice to fellow matriculants was to always remain calm, hold onto their faith and stay strong.

“If you find things overwhelming, step back and take a deep breath and then push forward until the very end. Never give up, and never leave things until the last minute.”

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