Hoërskool Montana learners have been making their mark beyond the classroom, with Luvan Nel and Zanike Wium showcasing the school’s talent in two very different fields.

Nel and his teammate Dylan Harmse (from Hoërskool Wonderboom) recently earned an impressive third-place finish at the Gauteng-North WRO (World Robot Olympiad) Robotics Competition, while 15-year-old Zanike secured victory in the Girls 15–18 category at the US Kids Golf Gauteng Local Tour at Serengeti Estates.

Nel and Harmse competed in the RoboMission Junior category, finishing third out of 24 teams.

Their challenge, themed ‘Heritage Heroes’, required them to programme an autonomous robot to complete a series of missions on a game mat representing an old historic fortress.

The missions included guiding coloured visitor figures to destinations such as a museum, excavation area and cobblestone area, rebuilding damaged red and yellow towers, transporting artefacts to the museum and cleaning dirt from designated paths.

The pair also had to ensure that heritage-site objects, including barriers and a parrot, remained untouched, with successfully avoiding damage earning bonus points.

Nel developed an interest in computers and robotics from a young age and became involved in robotics and coding through Technikidz Doornpoort.

Harmse began robotics in 2025 through Laerskool Wonderboom’s Kuberwolwe team before also joining Technikidz Doornpoort.

Their preparation included robot construction, programming, sensors, calibration, mechanisms, competition missions, speed and reliability, followed by timed runs and a mock competition.

Despite their preparation, neither learner expected to finish in the top three.

Nel said he was excited about the competition but was surprised by the result, adding that he could never dream they would perform so well.

Harmse said they only discovered their placing during the prize-giving ceremony because there was no live scoreboard.

“I was very shocked and happy,” he said.

Meanwhile, Wium demonstrated similar determination on the golf course when she was forced into a three-hole play-off after shooting an 82 in regular play and finishing tied with her opponent.

She recorded par on the first two play-off holes before producing a birdie on the third to secure the victory.

According to the school’s marketer Joanet Joubert, the win is another highlight in an impressive 2026 season for Wium.

The golfer was selected for the Gauteng North Junior Girls Team, earned her provincial junior girls colours and represented Gauteng North at the SA Girls Championships in March.

She also earned Gauteng North High Schools Girls colours and represented the province at the SA Girls High Schools IPT Championships in July, finishing 17th individually in the A Division.

In August, Zanike successfully defended her title at the Gauteng North Golf Union Two-Person Team Tournament, securing consecutive titles.

She also won the Girls Gross Division at the Gauteng North Golf Championship in February and finished third in the A Division at the AHMP Open Girls Schools Golf Tournament.

The school said it was incredibly proud of Nel and Wium, with their achievements highlighting the value of curiosity, creativity, teamwork, determination and perseverance.

Both learners will continue pursuing their respective passions, with Wium set to compete in further Girls 15–18 tournaments during September, while Nel and Harmse’s robotics experience adds another chapter to Montana’s growing record of learner achievement.

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