Sixth best learner in Mpumalanga tops all quintile 3 schools’ learners
Zwelihle Mphumuzi Simelane scooped four awards for his performance in 2022's examinations.
Khutsalani Secondary School’s top learner, Zwelihle Mphumuzi Simelane, was the sixth best matriculant in the province in 2022.
He received four provincial awards. He was the best learner in the quintile 3 schools, got 100% for mathematics and accounting, and is in the top 10 of the Class of 2022 in Mpumalanga.
On Friday, as the Mpumalanga Department of Education held the 2022 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination results announcement ceremony at the University of Mpumalanga, his mother was singing his praises. As he took the stage to collect his awards, she could not hide her emotions and kept celebrating.
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He passed with six distinctions and will be studying medicine at the University of Cape Town. According to him, the country needs more doctors. “I was inspired to study medicine during the Covid-19 pandemic, when I saw the country having to get doctors from Cuba to help. This helped me realise we need more hands and people in the medical fraternity.”
This 17-year-old said he had received so much support from the people around him.
“My parents woke me up at 01:00 so that I can study. I am grateful to have had them during my journey. My principal believed in me even when it was hard for me to believe in myself. She wanted only 100% from me and she would constantly remind me of how much potential I have. I also want to acknowledge the former top learner in our school. She gave me ideas on how to study and prepare myself.”
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Zwelihle’s message to the Class of 2023 is that they need to start studying in January.
“When in Grade 12, it might appear like you have a year to prepare, but in actual fact, you have six months. When writing the exams in June, we write the entire syllabus and the marks count towards our final results. If you want to perform well, listen to the teachers and keep asking questions. Do not be shy to ask, because they will help you get all the information you need.”
He said learners need to know that teachers contribute 20% of the work, and they themselves contribute 80%.
