NOT even the death of his brother could stop him from making his family proud.
Thembinkosi Manyeruke (18), a top achiever from Tsakane Secondary School in Ekurhuleni, walked away with six distinctions from seven subjects.
He also got 100% in physical science, life sciences and mathematics.
“I have been working hard, so I was expecting good results,” he said.
In October, only a month before he was due to write exams, his family was shaken by the news that his brother, Jabu Manyeruke (22), had died.
Thembinkosi said it was difficult to accept the death.
“But my family supported me. They didn’t bother me while I was studying.”
The young genius said he wants to study mathematical sciences, and is still deciding whether to study at Wits University or University of Pretoria.
Principal Pearl Ngcobo was happy that Thembinkosi was the top pupil at the school.
Badanile Khoza (44), Thembinkosi’s mum, said: “Even if he failed, I would still have accepted it.
“But he worked even harder, which made us expect good results.”