TOP achievers from schools across KwaZulu-Natal thought they were being “pranked” when they received calls from officials in the Department of Basic Education inviting them to a breakfast event with Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube.
One pupil said that for two days, she had serious doubts about the invitation and only believed it was true when she received the plane tickets.
The KZN pupils were among 39 pupils who joined Gwarube as her guests at the Ministerial breakfast, held in Fairlands, Johannesburg yesterday.
One of the top achievers, Gift Mlambo said hard work, proper planning, and prayer was behind his success in the matric year.
Gift, from the Mandla Mthethwa School of Excellence in uMkhanyakude, was one of several pupils from KZN who were celebrated as top achievers at a national level.
“I had expected to do well, but I am still shocked to be on the national stage,” he said.
“I still do not know how well I have done since the results have not yet been released,” said Mlambo.
He said that around January 9, he received a call from the school principal informing him that he would be getting a call from an official from the Department of Education.
“The call came from the official, and I was shocked. My parents are still in shock,” he said.
Speaking of his journey, he said it took sacrifice.
"If you want something hard enough, you must sacrifice, you must work hard, engage with the teachers, and ask questions where you need help, and most importantly, pray. We all need prayer,” he said.
Mlambo said he wants to study Actuarial Science because he wants to help businesses understand their risks and protect themselves from them.
“There have been many businesses that fail because they did not understand their risks,” he added.
Fanelesbonge Ngema from Vukile High School in Ilembe District said she was shocked that she had been identified as one of the top achievers.
“When I got the call on Thursday last week, I could not believe it. I thought they had the wrong person, even though the department official said repeatedly that it was me they were looking for. I started to believe it might be true when they sent the plane tickets on Saturday afternoon.
“My parents were quite excited about this, and I think they are even more excited than me,” she said.
She added that she had dedicated almost all her time to studying in her matric year.
"Even when it was break time in school, I would go out, get food, and come back to class either to study or do my homework so that when I got home, I did not have to do any homework; I just studied."
She urged this year’s matric pupils to dedicate their time and full attention to their education.
“There are many distractions, including things like social media. Give the distractions the minimum of your time and dedicate the rest to your education,” she said.
She hopes to study medicine at UCT.
Nqubeko Bekwa from r Emzamweni High School in the uMgungundlovu District said he hopes to study either Actuarial Science or Nuclear Engineering.
Nqubeko said he was delighted to be among the top achievers in the country.
“When I got the call, I started shouting and jumping up and down outside. Even the neighbours asked what was happening, and I said I was just happy. My mother was excited too. I was excited to get the call because it meant I had done well, but just to be invited was exciting.”
