Achiever finds harmony in her music and academic career

POLOKWANE – Harmony Kekae is one of Mitchell House College’s top gr. 12 learners for 2014.

Her subjects included physical science, life sciences, geography, mathematics, life orientation, Afrikaans and English home language and she obtained a distinction in geography.

“Because of my passion for problem solving, my favourite subjects were physics and mathematics. I have always been curious about anything that seemed challenging.

“I want to acknowledge my teachers, Oscar Chopamba and Tiri Takawira, for their excellence in teaching these subjects and helping us understand them,” says Harmony.

She says she started her school career at Eagle’s Nest Christian School where she completed primary school.

“I moved on to Capricorn High School where I finished gr. 8 and gr. 9. Then I moved to Mitchell House College where I completed gr. 10 to 12,” she says.

Harmony says when she was seven years old, she wanted to become a musician.

She says she wanted to sing and play the piano at concerts.

“I also wanted to become an engineer at some stage. Both these dreams will be fulfilled because I am currently a part-time musician and I am going to study electrical engineering at the University of Pretoria this year.”

“I love going to concerts and exploring my musical side, so I had to be very disciplined when it came to my studies.

“I used weekdays strictly for schoolwork, Saturdays for studying and Sundays for rest and fun.

“I believe time management is the first principle of academic success.

“I spent weekday afternoons catching up on all the lessons I may have not understood in class and then spent Saturdays studying and practising math problems.

“I used my free Sundays to go to church, see friends and to go to jam sessions where I could sing to my heart’s content. I only went to the gym when I had an extra hour available on weekdays.”

Harmony says she took part in netball, tennis and soccer, with tennis as her favourite sport.

“I was a member of the school’s band and choir. At times I took part in the school’s drama productions. I think it is important to participate in extra-mural activities because we do not only need to grow academically, but need to develop physically and emotionally too. Emotional intelligence is very important when it comes to developing of a productive society,” Harmony says.

She says her father, William, is her role model and shows her what it means to be really brave and courageous.

“The biggest lesson he ever taught me was commitment: to do something that I said I would do even if I don’t feel like doing it anymore. My support comes primarily from my father and my brother,” she says.

Harmony loves to visit Samaritan Centre and Ngwana House, where she likes to cook and clean for the children who live there.

“The lesson I learned there, was to appreciate everything that I have and to understand that we are all strong enough to live the lives God gives us for different purposes,” she concludes.