ESTCOURT KZN: What does it take to be the top matric learner? Thandolwethu tells all

With seven distinctions to her name and a 90.3% average, Thandolwethu Sisanda Nxumalo is the top-performing matric learner in the Estcourt area.

The 18-year-old from Estcourt High School navigated her way through many obstacles during 2020, from fears of a contagious global pandemic to running out of data and not being able to continue studying. However, Thandolwethu has once again proven that determination and hard work are the key ingredients for success.

At the school’s awards ceremony, Thandolwethu received the coveted Dux award and her educators told the audience how she has been performing consistently since Grade 8, achieving first position in each grade throughout her high school years.

SEE: Accolades for top matric learners

“It was very hard to be consistent and maintain the same level of marks, but I did not want to disappoint myself, my parents and my educators. I can say that the idea of getting closer to matric and reaching goals pushed me to continue with my studying, no matter the circumstances, and always aim high. And again, the happiness I saw on my parents’ faces every time I collected an award made me realise that I wasn’t only doing this for myself, but also for them,” said Thandolwethu.

With distinctions in English (82%), Maths (91%), Physics (93%), isiZulu (90%), Accounting (93%), Life Orientation (96%) and Life Sciences (87%), she will now be pursuing a degree in Actuarial Sciences at the University of Cape Town.

She says the wait for her results was an anxious one that often ended in tears.

“I couldn’t wait any longer. I had worked so hard throughout the year, but I did not expect to get distinctions in Maths and Physics because of how difficult the subjects are. To my surprise, however, I got an A+ for both these subjects,” she beamed.

Thandolwethu describes the 2020 academic year as ‘stressful’.

“When the lockdown was announced, I felt very discouraged; I expected the year to be cancelled. I was very sad, as I was waiting for 2020 because I wanted to get matric over and done with, and its stress. I felt stressed because I knew this was going to have a negative impact on most students who did not have the resources for online learning,” she explained.

“My way of learning changed from one-on-one interactions with teachers and my classmates to learning with videos on YouTube for each section we did. At schools, they created WhatsApp groups. I started studying for my matric finals before my trial exams, because most of the work we did was already included in our trial exams. During my matric year, I had my own study timetable which included all my subjects. This helped me because I did not focus on Maths and Physics only, but all my subjects, including my languages and Life Orientation. People often don’t include these subjects, but they are very important and need your attention as well,” Thandolwethu explained.

While writing the National Senior Certificate (NSC) exam, the threat of Covid-19 was ever-present.

ALSO READ: Top matric learners announced

“Writing my exams amid a pandemic was difficult, as every day we were not sure if we were even going to continue; Covid-19 cases were on the rise in Estcourt. I feared for my health, but I was eager to finish,” recalled Thandolwethu

.

Her advice to the ‘Class of 2021’ is: “Work hard from day one. Always try to be ahead in class. Have a social life; your friends will support you because they are also going through the same anxiety and stress. Choose good friends and don’t be easily distracted. Matric results are very important, as they will open many doors that seem closed for you. It doesn’t matter where you come from or what you’ve been through; you can achieve all your dreams if you work hard enough.”

Thandolwethu’s parents, Mandla and Busisiwe Nxumalo, said: “We are very proud of our daughter. She worked so hard from such a young age and we are happy that we witnessed all her successful moments.”

Click to receive news links via WhatsApp. Or for the latest news, visit our webpage or follow us on Facebook and Twitter