Kruinies celebrate matric achievements

POLOKWANE – At the annual Matric Tea, motivational speaker Mananie Botes welcomed Curro Heuwelkruin’s Gr 12 learners and their parents with words from Deepankar Kumar: “Success and failure can define who we are and how we live, but what exactly are they – and how can we avoid success or achieve failure?”

Botes expanded on Kumar’s ideas, explaining that failure has no single definition.

“In general, failure is the absence of success, but it can also refer to personal or professional setbacks, disappointments, or a general lack of progress or achievement,” she explained. She reminded learners that while failure can be hard to experience, it is a universal part of life. “The key is to learn from your failures and use them as motivation to achieve your goals.” She also shared five important benefits of failure, as highlighted by Kumar: it allows you to learn from mistakes, motivates you to try harder, builds resilience, teaches you to manage disappointment, and can ultimately lead to success.

Outgoing school captain Calvin Dias echoed these reflections on success and failure in his final address to his peers.

“We’ve survived homework, exams, and the occasional existential crisis – and here we are. But the end of high school isn’t the end of learning; it’s simply the end of one chapter and the beginning of the next.” Dias emphasised the importance of carrying forward key lessons from their time at school, including resilience, the value of community, and, with a touch of humour, “even the fine art of procrastination”.

He closed with a quote from Winston Churchill: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” Encouraging his classmates to face the future boldly, Dias said, “Let us move forward with the knowledge that we have the strength to overcome any challenge.”

Several learners were honoured for their achievements during the event.

Tshegofatso Thubakgale received the Marli Oosthuizen trophy for outstanding achievement, and Calvin Dias was awarded the Reuben Serfontein trophy for outstanding achievement, along with recognition as the best cross country athlete of the year and boys hockey player of the year.

In academics, Tapi Chuma earned the Dux Par Excellence 2024 award as the top academic achiever, and Lekofane Lekgogloa received the Dux Par Excellence 2024 NCV award for achieving seven distinctions and an average of 90%.

Two special awards were also presented. Tokollo Matsaung received the Kruinie Guts Trophy, awarded to a learner who shows unwavering commitment to a sport. Although she didn’t play in the hockey team, Tokollo attended every practice, took on the role of team manager, and maintained a positive attitude throughout the season. Calvin Dias was also honoured with the Ember of Excellence Trophy for excelling across academics, sports, and culture, demonstrating his all-around excellence throughout the year.

The Rector Medal was presented to siblings Marnie and Marius Nel in recognition of their dedication. Marnie achieved a perfect attendance record, having attended every school day from Gr 1 to Gr 12, while her brother Marius missed only one day during his entire school career.