*This story first appeared in the printed Vaalweekblad newspaper of Wednesday (25 January 2023.

“Hard work, discipline, consistency and frequently burning the midnight oil.” This is what earned Greenacres Private College’s top-performing matriculant, Aadit Aheer, eight distinctions in his National Senior Certificate exam in 2022.

His ability to cope well under pressure, adaptability, and willingness to learn also carried him through his matric year.

Aadit, 2022’s head boy, achieved distinctions in mathematics, English (home language), Afrikaans (first additional language), Life Orientation, Physical Science, Economics, Accounting, and Business Studies (taken as an extra subject).

He dreams of one day becoming a chartered accountant.

Thanks to a bursary from the international accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Aadit is off to the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg to study toward his Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting Sciences.

The bright young student from Meyerton is among the top 1% of applicants both nationally and internationally who applied to study at Wits.

Aadit is the middle child of Inder Aheer, a diesel mechanic, and Raksha Aheer, a creditor clerk at Cape Gate. His older brother, Nitesh (21), is already working while his 16-year-old sister, Neha, is currently in Grade 10 at Greenacres Private College.

According to Aheer academic performance comes only through putting in a great deal of diligent work and there are no shortcuts to success.

During his school career, it was Aadit’s intense focus on his academics that resulted in him being named DUX Scholar in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

In addition, he was awarded full academic honors at Greenacres Private College. In addition to academics, Aadit enjoys hobbies such as photography.

He is preoccupied with Google-certified short courses and continually upskilling himself. “I am extremely dedicated to improving my skill set and driven to achieve the best I can,” explains Aadit.

Aadit is also an excellent communicator and orator who achieved colours in public speaking during his high school career.

Things weren’t always easy for Aadit. One of the challenges Aadit faced in his final year of school was when his grandmother Meera Aheer and grandfather Bansee Aheer died in a motor vehicle accident on the N3.

Despite this setback, Aadit managed to do the best he could under the circumstances.

Without a doubt, a bright future awaits this young man.

*Don’t miss Vaalweekblad’s special supplement on the 2022 matric results this Wednesday (1 February 2023).