Local pupil brings crowd to their feet at award ceremony
The Grantleigh matric 2017 pupil received an ear-shattering standing ovation when he was honoured with an award for Learners Achieving Academic Excellence Despite Adverse Circumstances at the Curro Holdings Top Achievers awards at Emperor's Palace last week
XOLO Sibiya may have been diagnosed with King Denborough Syndrome – a genetic condition that causes various physical disabilities – at birth, but he has never allowed that to limit his achievements.
The Grantleigh matric 2017 pupil received an ear-shattering standing ovation when he was honoured with an award for Learners Achieving Academic Excellence Despite Adverse Circumstances at the Curro Holdings Top Achievers awards at Emperor’s Palace last week.
Determination
Though his physical disabilities left him unable to play sport, he quickly became the manager for the rugby team that his friends played in, going on to manage every team at Grantleigh at some point of his school career.
At his school’s Matric Academic Awards Ceremony, the soft-spoken Xolo was awarded the Clayton Walters Trophy for Triumph through Adversity in recognition of his personal conduct.
Xolo also achieved excellent results in English Home Language, IsiZulu, Life Orientation and Life Sciences.
His proud mother Zola Sibiya applauded his independence and said by not letting the syndrome limit him, he has become an inspiration for others.
‘When he started at Grantleigh I was concerned, but I couldn’t believe how he just took things in his stride.
‘I’m extremely proud and I know his future studies will go well,’ she said
Xolo will be studying B.Com (Information Systems) at the University of Pretoria this year, and he hopes to start his own software development company in the future.
He did note, however, that he would make himself available to manage the Springbok rugby team, ‘if they asked me to do so’.
Andries Greyling, Curro Holdings CEO, proudly commended Xolo’s achievements.
‘We wish Xolo all the best for his future.
‘He has been an inspiration for our other learners, educators and executive heads alike, and we are looking forward to hearing of his future success.’
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