Ali said he is grateful to have attended Nkwangulatilo Education Centre, one of the best private schools in Giyani. “At Nkwangulatilo discipline is very important and it played a major role in my achievement,” Ali said. “When I found out that I was the third-best candidate for independent schools in Limpopo, I was beyond happy, a learner from a small town being one of the top achievers in Limpopo, it was something I never thought I could achieve.
“I am very grateful because it made my family, school, and the people of Giyani proud,” he said. Ali has a twin brother, Osman and their mother raised them. “My mother supported us every step of the way, she made sure that we got a quality education. I was motivated to work hard to make her proud. I knew that as a single parent, my success would make it easier for her,” he added. His mother, Queen Mabunda, a professional nurse at Dzumeri Healthcare Centre outside Giyani, says that she is beyond happy with what her son has
achieved.
Also read: Home-scholar bags seven distinctions
“I thank God for his protection and wisdom toward my children, as I believe that if it were not because of Him, my son would not have achieved what he has achieved now,” said Queen. “I always made sure that he was studying, and monitored his books, just to ensure that he was not fooling me. Sometimes children have a way of pretending as if they are studying while they are not,” she said laughing. “I made sure that my children do not do chores during exam time, because if they are stressed, they will not be able to focus on their studies,” Queen explains.
“I took their phones every night at 19:00. At first it was hard for them, but as time went by, it became easier,” she added. His twin brother achieved a bachelor’s pass with three distinctions. Tshilande Salani from St. Augustine Residential in Vhembe district took overall second place in the IEB results and Mokonoweshuro Tapiwanashe Herbert Junior from Northern Academy Secondary in Capricorn district took first place.
