Mishka Maharaj (17) of Port Shepstone High aced the 2023 National Senior Certificate examinations and claimed the number one spot in the Ugu District.
She is not only the top achiever in the district, but placed seventh in KZN and in the top 15 in the country.
Mishka achieved A symbols in English, Afrikaans, Physical Science, Life Science, Accounting and Mathematics with an overall aggregate of 95.2%. She also did Advanced Maths as a ‘hobby’.
Remarking on her outstanding results: “It’s so cool and I am proud of my achievements.”
She is now focused on the next chapter as a medical student at the University of Cape Town, with future plans to specialise in surgery.
She also received a scholarship from the Vice Chancellor of UCT which is only handed to the top 10 learners in the Western Cape and top 15 in the country.
According to Mishka, pursuing medicine is not about the title, it should come from the heart and one should be passionate about it.
“To become a doctor has been a very intentional decision. I have done a lot of shadowing across different careers, but medicine just lights my soul and fire, it is definitely my calling.”
Close on Mishka’s heels, and also from Sheppie High, was Ziphezinhle Ndlovu (18) who placed second in the district.
She also clinched A symbols in English, Afrikaans, Physical Science, Life Science, Accounting and Mathematics, and also did Advanced Maths.
She will study Actuarial Science at Wits.
Both learners received accolades at a special function by the Department of Education at the ICC in Durban last Thursday.
The top five learners in the district are: Mishka Maharaj – Port Shepstone High, Ziphezinhle – Port Shepstone High, Valeska Moodley – Umzinto Secondary, Anothe Zondi – Thobigunya High and Zahra Moosa of Port Shepstone Secondary.
Top five schools in the district are: Kwahluzingqondo Secondary, Gobume High, Port Shepstone Islamic, Thembuzulu Secondary and Umzinto Islamic.
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