After tragically losing both his parents in one day at the age of 17, Tapiwa Phiri had a troublesome matric year, but still managed to come out as a top achiever.
Tapiwa lost his mother who had been battling depression one Sunday morning in 2017 and upon hearing the news, later the same evening, his ill-stricken father suffered a heart attack.
“Losing my parents was the most difficult experience I’ve ever endured in my life, but one thing I quickly learned was that life does not stop and feel sorry for you,” Tapiwa said.
“You have to pick yourself up and work hard, no matter what happens.”
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The Rondebult resident was part of the class of 2018 at Falcon Educational School in Dawn Park.
His goal in matric was to obtain four distinctions which would afford him a place in a tertiary institution where he would study accounting, following his late mother’s career path.
Though on many days he felt like giving up, Tapiwa constantly reminded himself why he had to get good grades and whom this would benefit.
“I think about the countless nights I had to study until midnight then force myself to get up early for school, it was unbearable,” he said.
“At times I felt as though I was drowning due to the workload, but I reminded myself why I was doing this.”
Those sleepless nights were all beneficial, Tapiwa obtained the four distinctions he was aiming for.
He attained 89 per cent in IsiZulu first additional language, 87 per cent in life orientation, 82 per cent in economics and 83 per cent in business studies.
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“God made this possible. Had it not been for his divine favour, it would not have been possible,” Tapiwa said.
“Everyone has been sending me congratulatory messages and my family has been singing my praises, but they don’t know how hard I had to work.
“Other than my determination to succeed, the support from my family, teachers, principal, pastor and friends was phenomenal, it kept me inspired.”
Once qualified as an accountant, Tapiwa aspires to contribute to the economy as an entrepreneur, help decrease the unemployment rates and make South Africa a better place.
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