POLOKWANE – The annual Matric Tea at Curro Heuwelkruin took place on Friday in the school hall. Gr 12 learners, their parents and staff from Heuwelkruin High attended the event.

Guest speaker inspires learners

Guest speaker Dr Mywish Mathebula-Muyengwa encouraged and motivated the Gr 12 learners, telling them they can do anything if they believe in themselves.

“When we look at the trophies, certificates and scrolls handed out today, we aren’t just looking at metal and paper. We are looking at hours of relentless discipline.

“We celebrate the quiet late nights when the rest of the house was asleep, the past papers piled high, and the sheer determination to master complex concepts. We celebrate the early morning cold practices, the bruised knees, the sweat, and the mental toughness it took to dust yourselves off after a loss and come back stronger. We celebrate your courage to step onto a stage, your creativity, the endless rehearsals, and the passion that brought heart, colour and soul to this school.”

She told the audience they have proven that true excellence isn’t just a lucky break; it’s a daily habit.

“You learned how to balance practice schedules, rehearsals and heavy study timetables while navigating the pressures of being an 18-year-old in a fast, chaotic world.”

Words of wisdom for the road ahead

Mathebula-Muyengwa also gave the learners a few pointers:

1. Your true value is built in the process, not just the trophy. “Winning an award today is a massive achievement, but if you do not receive a certificate or trophy today, remember your growth over these past five years is not erased because someone else scored a few marks higher or crossed the finish line a second faster.”
2. Trust in God with all your heart, not just your intellect. “As high achievers in sport, culture and academics, it is easy to rely purely on our own strength, our own intellect and our own preparation. You have studied hard, and you must give these papers everything you’ve got. But when anxiety tries to creep into your chest, when a question looks unfamiliar, or when your future feels uncertain, stop leaning only on your own stress and overthinking. Trust that God holds your story. A single tough paper, a missed distinction, or an unexpected delay cannot cancel your destiny. God’s plan for your life is bigger than any mark on a transcript, and when you trust Him, He will open doors that no person can shut.”
3. Step up and take ownership of your future. “Up until this moment, your teachers, coaches and parents have been steering the ship. They set the timetables, reminded you to study, and pushed you through the tough days. After these exams, the steering wheel is officially handed over to you. You get to decide what kind of person you are going to be when no one is checking your homework. You get to decide how hard you will work when no one is watching, what values you will stand for, and how quickly you will pick yourself up when life throws a curveball.”

Mathebula-Muyengwa concluded by reminding the learners that every doctor, business leader, artist, engineer and entrepreneur who is changing South Africa today started right where the Gr 12s are sitting right now, nervous, excited and standing on the edge of greatness.

Subject prize winners

NCV:

• Dylan Lechner: Computer programming
• Reahe Letsela: Data communication and networking, multimedia services, life skills and computer literacy, and mathematics
• Phuki Ngoasheng: English FAL

Heuwelkruin:

• Marcielle Berg Rodriguez: Business studies
• Mosa Cheune: Tourism
• Sibahle Khumalo: Life Orientation
• Katlego Lebelo: CAT
• Luna Leon: Life sciences
• Mia Meyer: English HL, Afrikaans EAT, visual arts
• Sipho Mogale: Maths literacy
• Mukundi Mudau-Mamode: Dramatic arts
• Danté Schnell: English FAL, mathematics, physical science, Afrikaans HT and EGD

NCV distinctions

• Grant Grottis: Data communication and networking (84,9%) and life skills and computer literacy (83,8%)
• Dylan Lechner: Life skills and computer literacy (88%), computer programming (82,6%) and data communication and networking (82,5%)
• Phuki Ngoasheng: Life skills and computer literacy (80%)
• Reahe Letsela: Data communications and networking (92,9%), multimedia services (91,3%), life skills and computer literacy (90%) and system analysis and design (84,7%)

Extraordinary achievement in academics (75%+)

• Marcielle Berg Rodriguez
• Katlego Lebelo
• Luna Leon
• Katlego Mathota
• Iman Matloha
• Mia Meyer
• Nkateko Nhuvunga
• Danielle Nwokocha
• Marize Rabe
• Danté Schnell
• Kayla Tshabalala
• Joshua van Jaarsveld

Trophy winners

• 100% school attendance: Kamogelo Maredi
• School captains: Luna Leon and Katlego Mathota
• Hockey Player of the Year: Buhle Mananga
• Dux Par Excellence 2026 NCV: Reahe Letsela
• Dux Par Excellence 2026: Luna Leon