VRYHEID KZN: From shy schoolgirl to doctor-in-the-making

Amahle Mthali is a young, shy girl (17) who grew up in the rural areas, but ‘shone her light’ by obtaining seven distinctions in matric. Amahle grew up in eDlebe and attended her lower grades at eKhiweni and Qhawelesizwe primary schools. Her family then moved to Vryheid, where she went to Vryheid Comprehensive Secondary School in 2016. “The first time going to high school was scary for me, since I was new in the area. I did not know anyone and everything was new to me,” explained Amahle.

She mentioned that in Grade 8, she was not quite focused on her schoolwork and only started appearing in the top 10 in Grade 9. “I must admit that I was too relaxed when I started high school because, in primary school, I was always the top achiever. I had to realise that this was no longer primary school; learners were working hard and I had to pull up my socks.” She opines that when you start high school, you need to wisely pick the people you are going to associate with; pick people who share the same goals as you.” Amahle, like any other high school learner, faced challenges at school. “In Grade 10, I was always competing with the other learners who were also in the top 10. Then I realised I shouldn’t only be studying because I want to get higher marks than the person sitting next to me; I should study because I have my own aims such as achieving level 6 and 7 in the subjects I was doing.” She said she really enjoyed doing Mathematics and did not find any trouble solving the problems.

She mentions that having a teacher like Mr Xulu and being taught by him was a bonus, as everything else came naturally. Amahle enjoys the company of her friends and family, describing herself as a “clean freak”; she likes everything to be spotless around her. At first, she said she wanted to be a teacher, as she used to envy her teachers’ dress codes, but now she is determined to study Medicine and be a doctor.

Amahle’s mother says she is still in awe at her daughter’s results, as she did not expect them. “I did not believe when people were sending me pictures on the day of the results. I had to buy the newspaper to see for myself. I am so proud of her!” she said, smiling. “I would like to thank my mom, granny and Mam Khosi, who taught me respect and how to behave as a girl. I would like to make them proud one day.” Amahle will be leaving soon for Durban to study Medicine. She advises those learners doing matric this year to study hard, study every day, never skip a chapter, and establish whether they study better in a group or individually. “It is important to have previous question papers. Go on YouTube and study further about the subject you find challenging. Also, identify the things that keep you out of your studying, such as watching TV,” she concluded.

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