When you meet Surav Anandhaw you are greeted by a friendly face, and eyes that shine brighter than the future ahead of him.
In 2017 Surav matriculated as the top student from St Dominic’s Academy, Newcastle.
His outstanding results placed him in the top five percent of all matric learners throughout the country.
However, when you start talking to him, you realise there is so much more to the humble 18-year-old than just his academic achievements.
Born and raised in Newcastle, Surav credited his parents, Manisha and Sujit, as his two biggest inspirations in life.
“My parents and my grandparents are the people I admire most. They taught me how to work hard and guided me with their moral support and wisdom. I owe everything I am to them. My uncle, Avish Gokul is also one of my biggest inspirations. He is a financial planner and taught me to be dedicated and to achieve my goals.”
Finding a balance between academics and recreational activities, Surav could be found on the sports field where he practiced cricket.
He also played hockey for the school’s first team, as well as for the Amajuba District.
Even though he had received many accolades from school, Surav said the character he built for himself was his proudest achievement to date.
“Academics is a natural ability, but it takes a lot of hard work to develop leadership skills and to build meaningful relationships, which is important to me,” he said.
It is also this mindset that formed Surav into the well-balanced and hard working young man he is today.
